I'm not exactly sure and I'm certainly not big on legalese. The premise is meant to be a compromise, where a select few "works" can be held in practical perpet

I'm not exactly sure and I'm certainly not big on legalese. The premise is meant to be a compromise, where a select few "works" can be held in practical perpetuity, while simultaneously forcing others to be contributed to the public domain. I do agree, though, that the definition of the term "work" is important and essential with such an idea.