Copyright

[lynxreign]

I think copyright law in the US is currently fucked up. There's no reason copyright should extend beyond the creator's death and in many cases even that is too long.

Congress is currently considernig a bill called the Orphaned Works bill. While they should be applauded for doing something about the ridiculous amount of protection given, why not just actually reform copyright law instead of adding external measures that will make interpretation moer confusing? I'd think they'd want to rebuild copyright entirely instead of knocking down one wall and putting up a decorative divider.

Comments

[head58.livejournal.com]

Cue jeffwik in 3...2...

[jeffwik.livejournal.com]

NNAARRGH

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

I don't think that's what he thought he'd cue. Do you agree with me or are you about to rant at me? Or both?

14 years with optional 14 year extension

[jeffwik.livejournal.com]

I'm not really capable of arguing this topic in any kind of rational way, I turn into Bill O'Reilly screaming NO NO NO YOU'RE WRONG WRONG WRONG, so I don't try to talk to people about it any more.

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

Just don't try to shut off my mike and we'll be fine.
If you don't want to talk about it here, I understand, but I would like your opinion. Like why 14 years.

[head58.livejournal.com]

No, that's pretty much exactly it actually.

[jeffwik.livejournal.com]

I mean seriously look at my LJ icon.

[chirping-monkey.livejournal.com]

It's all about Disney. Seriously, every fucked up copyright law has been the result of their lobbying (well, I suppose other groups that shouldn't have copyrights anymore aren't helping).

[mekkasimian.livejournal.com]

AMEN.

=M=

[modpixie.livejournal.com]

Speaking as someone who makes films...

While I'm in favor of reforming the copyright laws, I believe they should last for the duration of the artist's life. I like to get paid for the things I make, and I also like some control over how they are presented to the public. No copyright laws (or laws lasting for less time than I'm on earth) theoretically means that it's harder for me to get paid for the reproduction of my work, and that others can take the things I make and present them in ways that might run counter to how they were intended, or to my beliefs.

Granted, others will do that anyway (as with the Supreme Court ruling on the use of John Lennon's "Imagine" in Expelled). Still, it would be nice to have some legal control over it.

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

I have no problems with there being copyright law, however I think it should be closer to the original law than the current incarnation. I believe current protections extend 70 years after the creator's death.
I also think there should be an Orphaned clause. If it becomes impossible to find the creator of a work, that work shouldn't languish forever.
As for it lasting the artist's lifetime, there are arguments to be made that a shorter time period encourages further creation. I don't know if that's a good enough reason or if it even holds true, but it is something to think about.

[emilytheslayer.livejournal.com]

The current Orphaned works bill, however, is shitty beyond all imagining. I mean, I get what you're saying and all, but they really haven't worked through some of the consequences of what they're currently proposing.

[kaisilverwolf.livejournal.com]

rebuild copyright entirely instead of knocking down one wall and putting up a decorative divider.

HAHAHAAAAAAHA. This is SO typical. I deal with this shit every day.

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

With copyright or with building?

Do you agree with what I'm saying or is that what you're laughing at?

[kaisilverwolf.livejournal.com]

with everything, it's just the attitude.

I understand what you're saying, and i agree to a point, though i would like the copyrights to last longer than you would, i suspect. Regardless, what amused me was the way you put it, which was very accurate and I could totally hear some AF guy justifying to me that they needed to make the rooms twice as big (for officers) so they tore down a wall and constructed a decorative divider instead. *facepalm*

It's just so typical.

[mekkasimian.livejournal.com]

THIS BAIT OR WHAT?

COPYRIGHT SHOULD EXTEND PAST CREATOR DEATH. CREATOR DEATH COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. IF MEK PUBLISH BOOK AND DIE TOMORROW, MRS-SIMIAN SHOULD BE ABLE CONTINUE BENEFIT FROM WORK, RATHER THAN EVERYONE IMMEDIATELY DOWNLOAD ONLINE.

ORPHAN WORKS BILL IS CRAP, PUT BURDEN ON ARTIST RATHER THAN USER. ALL USER HAVE SAY IS, "WELL, SELF TRY FIND ORIGINAL ARTIST, NOT FIND: GUESS WORK IS PUBLIC DOMAIN!" THAT NO BETTER THAN CURRENT SCHEME: USE WORK ANYWAY AND HOPE CREATOR NEVER NOTICE.

BUT IN GENERAL, YES, COPYRIGHT LAW SUCK DONKEY. BLAME DISNEY.

=M=

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

Actually, the Orphaned Works bill states that if a court decides that a "reasonable attempt" was not made, you can sue for compensation. You have to try and show you tried.

The extension past death is responsible for works created in the 1930s still being under copytight even though the creator died in the 70s. Why should Ms. Simian make a living off your works? Look at what a terrible job Ms. Geisel is doing.

[mekkasimian.livejournal.com]

1) DEVIL IN DETAIL OF "REASONABLE ATTEMPT". SERIOUSLY THINK ENFORCEMENT WILL BE ANY LESS CRAPPY AND PRONE TO LOBBYIST NOISE THAN LAW ALREADY STAND?

2) CREATION IS PROPERTY: THUS "IP". BENEFICIARIES GET PROPERTY OF DEPARTED. SHOULD GET BENEFIT OF IP.

ON OTHER HAND, IF LYNX MEAN THAT COPYRIGHT SHOULD ONLY EXTEND N YEARS PAST ORIGINAL *CREATION*, THEN MEK AGREE. BUT IF ANGLING FOR "DING DONG, MUSICIAN DEAD: FREE DOWNLOAD!", MEK WILL PUT UP FIGHT!

=M=