Re: copyright expiration as a spur to creativity

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

No they're not. They're "shared" property which you have (for a limited time) the exclusive right to copy. If they were "all yours", you wouldn't need to publish them, would you! It is the sharing of them with others that gives IP its peculiar value and status. Imagine writing novels for no-one to read. Making music only for yourself. (Beethoven did not even get to hear his own works!, but others did. He would think your proposal absurd.)

Over four thousand human languages! and I'm the Phantom of the Opera in every one of them!*

*(Taken from: The Phantom of the Opera's Friend, from City Life by Donald Barthelme, 1972)

Michael A Scarpitti
Assistant Editor
Materials Evaluation
1711 Arlingate Lane
PO Box 28518
Columbus, Ohio 43228-0518
800 222-2768 Ext 207
614 274-6003 Ext 207
Fax 614 274-6899
<mscarpit[_at_]asnt.org> Received on Wed Sep 09 1998 - 22:34:45 GMT