Re: Copyright Expiration ?

--- In [email protected], joseph h <joe9438@...> wrote:
>
> 
> 
> 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]
>
Agreed.

An observation - institutions change slowly in a stable environment, it is only when it is stressed by rapid that it evolves or dies. None of these is bad, it has to protect itself and its purpose but when faced with change it must evolve or it will fail to fulfill its function.

I remember when Ace wrongly assumed that Burroughs' copyrights' had had expired and started reprinting his works. One hopes Ace got what it deserved but it did do a service to readers that enjoy Tarzan or John Carter Smith.  Nobody seriously suggested then that the copyright law needed change.

However decades later and ago Ben Bova an editor as well as an author wrote Cyber Book a novel which is basically a complaint about the publishing industry's conservatism. The book was published and forgotten.

Now publishing is being stressed and must evolve. This seems to me to the best chance to make changes that will correct what seems to me to be a minor flaw in the existing system - but only if it is addressed.



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