Re: Copyright Expiration ?

On 01/08/2012 2:35 AM, Dave wrote:
>
> I don't know if I'm beating a dead horse - But has there been any 
> consideration given to having copyrights expire if a printed work has 
> been out of print or unused for a prolonged period (perhaps 40 years) 
> and if the owner(s) do not renew their rights?
>
> I specified printed works to exclude art, ephemera and ebooks since 
> their values and characteristics are very different.
>

Dave,

I have no idea where you have gained your information, but you need to 
seriously update yourself about copyright.

Copyright is automatic, and is owned by the creator of a unique work. 
 From the form of your question I assume you are in the US, since no 
other country has had a renewal process for over 150 years. In the US 
now, as in almost every other country, copyright lasts for the life of 
the creator plus 70 years.  Protection of copyright tends to be 
vigorously pursued and discussed over published works [print and 
digital], but the protection exists for all original works from the 
moment of creation. All creative areas together enjoy the umbrella term 
Intellectual Property.

And yes, there are many vigorous arguments about what copyright term and 
management might be changed to, but the current law is the one that 
operates at the moment.

Joseph Harris


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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