Re: copyright expiration as a spur to creativity

On 11, August 1998, Albert Henderson <noblestation[_at_]compuserve.com> wrote:
>
> On 10 Aug 1998, Michael Scarpitti <mscarpit[_at_]asnt.org> wrote:
> >
> > On 07, August 1998, Karsten M. Self <kmself[_at_]ix.netcom.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > If I may be allowed to interpret my own words, the assumption of
> > > the paragraph is that if an author expects another organization to
> > > publish his or her works, then it is reasonable to suppose that
> > > this organization can expect financial gain in the process. If
> > > the book won't sell on the general market, why force a publisher
> > > to publish it?
> > >
> > > If the publisher can't sell the book -- under the monopoly granted
> > > by copyright law -- is the monopoly necessary or of further
> > > benefit? Or does it simply act to restrain *any* party from
> > > distributing the work.
> > >
> > > By lapsing copyright, it is legal for another party to publish the
> > > book, or copy it.
> > >
> > > I read the same Constitutional mandate you cite, to a different end.
> > > The value of the work is its benefit to society. To promote this end,
> > > a limited monopoly is granted to ensure that sufficient compensation
> > > is awarded an author (and by extension the publisher) for the expense
> > > of preparing and publishing the work. If the work won't sell, period,
> > > then the monopoly is of no further use, and merely restricts broader
> > > distribution of the work, counter to the Constitutional mandate and
> > > intent.
> >
> > This is exactly the point I was trying to make in my original message
> > to this group.
>
> Why not render the author his/her due? Publishing is a civilized
> profession. Pay royalties. Be a mensch.

You seem to have a knack for catching the end of a trail of messages and drawing incorrect conclusions. Let's say I want to buy (not borrow) a book published in 1981 (Approaches to Translation by Peter Newmark). Let's say I go to my friendly neighborhood college bookstore and try to order it. Let's say I get back a notice saying "out of print"? I go to Bibliofind on the network and try a search, which comes up empty. Now, Mr. Henderson, you tell me: What the hell am I supposed to do?

Michael A Scarpitti
Assistant Editor
Materials Evaluation
1711 Arlingate Lane
PO Box 28518
Columbus, Ohio 43228-0518
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<mscarpit[_at_]asnt.org> Received on Thu Aug 13 1998 - 13:12:24 GMT