Re: Re: Copyright Expiration ?

On 09/08/2012 4:49 PM, Dave wrote:

> >
> My only reason for suggesting a limited term was to make orphan works 
> more accessible. Please note that I originally suggested that such 
> limit would only to apply out of print. Presumably this will not 
> happen with ebooks.
>
> Regarding the need for a renewal mechanism I think you made my point 
> with Disney. And others with similar similar assets - i.e. the recent 
> (relatively) resurrection of Betty Boop.
>
> I raised this question as an avid reader who is not involved in 
> publishing. I'm encouraged that the flogged horse isn't dead but sorry 
> that you feel it isn't going anywhere soon.
>

Dave,

My difficulty is not that I don't understand your points, nor that I am 
unaware of the changes that have been happening for the past two 
decades, and particularly the last 5 years. But the situation that may 
be hard for an observer to recognise is that copyright is 'indivisible'. 
By that I mean that it specifically gives control of copying; without 
that there would be no, could be no, publishing or film or music industry.

We tend to always look at the major players, the giant companies, the 
best sellers, the multi-millionaire pop artistes for our judgements; 
"Why should they...?" we ask.

But the industries that rely on IP, and particularly copyright, are 
really made up of millions and millions of ordinary people like us, who 
put the family bread on the table because that contract between creative 
people and the state (and the state is you and I) is honoured and fairly 
clear to understand. Writers and publishers of course, but those who 
benefit do all the jobs that need to be done in any business, and all 
the contractors like designers, like printers or converters of formats, 
like booksellers - print or digital, for example. And that even spills 
over into delivery, like post offices and bookseller hosts online.

The problem about unavailable works is one of impatience, rather than 
any fundamental fault in the system. Like all systems, all industries, 
all individuals like you and I, there is a lack of perfection; there are 
some desirable things that have to give way to the practical and the 
necessary. And, let's face it honestly, we all suffer at times from 
sheer bloody-mindedness - and even stupidity.

Are there faults, things to be improved, things that inconvenience us? 
Sure there are. But does the business as a whole deliver an incredible 
array of material of countless kinds to satisfy a range and complexity 
of demand and interest with amazing peaks of quality [and maybe much 
dross]? You betcha! And is that worth praising and recognising, even 
while we look to improve every possible area?

I think so. In all honesty, don't you?

Joseph Harris


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



------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------
Post a message:   ebook-community [[at]] *
Unsubscribe:      ebook-community-unsubscribe [[at]] *
Switch to digest: ebook-community-digest [[at]] *
Switch to normal: ebook-community-normal [[at]] *
Put mail on hold: ebook-community-nomail [[at]] *
Administrator:    ebook-community-owner [[at]] *

(* == yahoogroups.com)
-------------------------------------------------------Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ebook-community/

<*> Your email settings:
    Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ebook-community/join
    (Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
    [email protected] 
    ebook-community-fullfeatured-hHKSG33TihhbjbujkaE4pw@public.gmane.org

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    ebook-community-unsubscribe-hHKSG33TihhbjbujkaE4pw@public.gmane.org

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/