Re: copyright expiration as a spur to creativity

From: Timothy Phillips <hrothgar[_at_]telepath.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 17:32:03 -0500 (CDT)

Albert Henderson <noblestation[_at_]compuserve.com> wrote: 

>

> Your argument jumped the track when you claimed "works ... are
> public property." That is not true. My creations are not public
> property. My creations are mine. I can destroy them without penalty.
> I can determine if, when, how many copies may be published and how
> many times they may be performed. I have no obligation to the public.
> The public has no say.

In ordinary cases literary works are communicated to others. They are public property if they are "property" at all. The public, initially, has every say in the work. But it generously agrees to refrain, for a time, from excersing its full rights in the work, in order to give you a chance to make back your investment in the work.

Tim Phillips
<hrothgar[_at_]telepath.com> Received on Tue Sep 08 1998 - 22:32:01 GMT

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