Re: Copyright Extension

From: David Pierce <sunrise[_at_]dc.infi.net>
Date: Mon, 25 Mar 1996 20:45:06 -0500 (EST)

On Sat, 23 Mar 1996, Karjala, Dennis wrote:
>
> Martin Perlberger writes (in response to my argument that the supposed
> need to "harmonize" our term with Europe is a red herring):
> >
> > If there is no problem regarding reciprocity, why would anyone seriously
> > consider extending the U.S. Copyright term from 50 to 70 years after the
> > death of the author?
>
> Why, indeed? The answer is quite simple: The owners of those
> relatively few still-economically-valuable copyrights from the 1920's
> that are about to expire do not relish the prospect of an end to the
> flow of royalty revenues. It means they might have to begin performing
> some useful labor themselves instead of relying on the now 75-year-old
> creativity of distant ancestors or assignors.
>
> Dennis S. Karjala
> Professor of Law
> Arizona State University
> Tempe, Arizona 85287
> 602-965-4010
> 602-965-2427 (fax)
> dennis.karjala[_at_]asu.edu

Readers of this thread will no doubt take heart in the plight of the heirs of novelist Jane Austin, as described on the front page of today's Wall Street Journal. With tongue slightly in cheek, author Amy Stevens describes how "more than 100 people trace their ancestry to four brothers of Miss Austen, sho died a 41 year old spinster in 1817."

We hear from Austen's 71 year old great-great-great-niece, the 24 year old great-great-grandson of Austens older brother Francis and the 46 year old great-great-great-nephew about how they wish the family could share directly in Austen's commercial success. As one 51 year old great-great-great-nephew notes, "We'd all like to make some money from this."

The WSJ also notes that "for some of the Austen relatives, the matter of money is nothing compared to the torment of having no control over Miss Austen's artistic legacy." They complain about CLUELESS, the wet kiss at the end of PERSUASION, and risque scenes in the miniseries version of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. "Of course, many family members cheer the movies for bringing Miss Austen's works to wider audiences."

David Pierce

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|          David Pierce                                           |
|          P.O. Box 2748        fax: 301-604-6827                 |
|          Laurel, MD 20709     sunrise[_at_]dc.infi.net               |

+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ Received on Tue Mar 26 1996 - 01:42:38 GMT