Re: copyright expiration as a spur to creativity

From: Dan L Burk <BURKDANL[_at_]shu.edu>
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 12:35:41 -0400

On 08/26/98, Michael Bradley <michael[_at_]vision-soft.com> wrote:
>
> My argument is that very few of those who live by selling rights to
> their IP support shorter terms (big surprise).

Actually, it is a big surprise, or at least a big contradiction. My experience in talking to authors about copyright has been that they complain incessantly about restrictions on what songs, novels, or whatever they can borrow from ("Man, why can't I sample that Julio Iglasias goove?").

They then of course complain about unauthorized uses of their own creations.

> Arguing, as so many have in this thread, the shorter terms will increase
> creativity seems, um, dumb. It's demonstrably contrary to simple fact.

Then by all means, demonstrate it.

> To my mind, the arguable issue is what does society want from IP
> and how much is it willing to pay for it.

Maybe the arguable issue is what do authors want from IP and how much are THEY willing to pay for it?

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Dan L. Burk
Seton Hall University
burkdanl[_at_]shu.edu

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Received on Thu Aug 27 1998 - 16:29:25 GMT