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

[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.