Re: Neat summary of Google strategy

On 6/22/09, Mary E Tyler <[email protected]> wrote:
>  > Perhaps someone can structure an argument that will actually
>  > offer a way ahead on term; all solutions otherwise are
>  > creative ;-); but we need definitive reasons.
>
> The fee doesn't have to be huge. It can be nominal: $30 every 15 years
>  isn't so much to ask. My pockets are empty and it won't break me.

I'd like to see staggered fees.

First 15 years: Free. Everyone's stuff is copyrighted immediately, and
they have a bit more than a decade to decide whether there's any
commercial value in it. Or pay base fee, $30-50, to register for full
legal rights.

15-30 years: Pay nominal reg fee, $30-50, to maintain copyright. At
this point, your high school essays and letters to Santa drop into the
public domain, and nobody cares.

30-45 years: Pay $250 fee to extend copyright. If you're still making
money on it--a published book, potentially a movie contract in the
wings--it's worth renewing. If it was a one-hit wonder song 28 years
ago, you might let it drop; sure, that means someone else could pick
it up, but then again, you could re-record it yourself if it gets
popular again.

45-60 years:Pay $1000 to renew copyright. The Tolkein estate would do
this; they're still putting out new editions of the same works. Elvis'
estate would also pay for this. Mid-list authors drop into the public
domain... renewals should contain the notion that they can't be
transferred, in order to prevent publishers from grabbing monopolies.
Extra fees go to enhance public libraries or fund distribution of
various public-domain works.

60-75 years: Pay $5000 to renew. Disney maintains control of Fantasia.
Fanatic authors or their heirs keep their books out of the public
domain. Everyone else's works go public.

75-100 years: Pay $10,000 to renew. Disney arranges special re-release
of Fantasia to fund its continued copyright protection.

100-125 years: Pay $50,000 to renew. Disney buys a new wing for the
library of congress.

-- 
"I follow Eris blindly in all things. That She is the Goddess of Chaos
simplifies this immensely."  -- Christian the Pagan


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