2 ms·

The solution is so simple -- have a more reasonable time limit on "hard" copyright (i.e., where no distribution is allowed), then when that time expires have it

by derekp7 11y ago

The solution is so simple -- have a more reasonable time limit on "hard" copyright (i.e., where no distribution is allowed), then when that time expires have it go to "soft" copyright. This is where the copyright item would be treated similar to trademarks, that is if the copyright holder isn't actively using it then the work would be free for non-commercial use. Then the third time period would be public domain. Then, give the option for copyright holders to extend the "hard" copyright time period with a periodic maintenance fee. That way, it still gives Disney the ability to hang on to Mickey Mouse, yet any work without a clear owner (i.e., where an old software company went defunct yet the assets are technically held by some holding company) will be able to be preserved (along with any movies and recordings that are no longer published). The thing I can't figure out is why the governments don't go for this. I mean, it is an effective way to get additional tax revenue (from rich companies such as Disney and Hollywood), without raising taxes on the voters. Win/win; well except for some campaign donations. But if I was in office, I'd take votes over campaign money any day.

ThrustVectoring 11y ago
We can remove the arbitrary-but-keeps-getting-extended copyright length limit, and just make the payments scale up exponentially the longer you hold on to the copyright. Disney gets Mickey Mouse as long as it wants, so long as it feels the economic value is large enough. We can even sell Disney on this by making it easier for them to keep Mickey Mouse under copyright for longer. I mean, they're going to keep it for a long time anyways, but this lets them do so cheaply and with little lobbying over the next ~30 years (depending on how the USG negotiates things). In return, we get sane copyright rules for the rest of the content that isn't that valuable.

by derekp7 11y ago

ThrustVectoring 11y ago

We can remove the arbitrary-but-keeps-getting-extended copyright length limit, and just make the payments scale up exponentially the longer you hold on to the copyright. Disney gets Mickey Mouse as long as it wants, so long as it feels the economic value is large enough. We can even sell Disney on this by making it easier for them to keep Mickey Mouse under copyright for longer. I mean, they're going to keep it for a long time anyways, but this lets them do so cheaply and with little lobbying over the next ~30 years (depending on how the USG negotiates things). In return, we get sane copyright rules for the rest of the content that isn't that valuable.