6 ms·

I think there's an idea where copyright extension fee grows exponentially, so free for first N, $1 for the next N, $10 for the next N.. And after a few N's, it

by kmak 17y ago

I think there's an idea where copyright extension fee grows exponentially, so free for first N, $1 for the next N, $10 for the next N.. And after a few N's, it'll either be economically infeasible, or you can still keep them, but it'll be worth it for you (Mickey is worth quite a bit after all these years). I think Lessig's idea was basically get the "dead" copyright properties into the public domain, where you can't get permission because you don't know who owns things.

anamax 17y ago
> I think there's an idea where copyright extension fee grows exponentially, so free for first N, $1 for the next N, $10 for the next N.. There are lots of ideas. However, few of them can be realized. If we can't enact Lessig's plan, what makes you think that an exponential fee schedule has any chance? > but it'll be worth it for you (Mickey is worth quite a bit after all these years). "Micky" isn't copyrighted. Mickey is trademarked. Things where Mickey makes an appearance are copyrighted. (Trademark is what keeps you from producing new works containing Mickey. Copyright keeps you from copying existing works and deriving new works from said existing works. For example, porn mickey need not have copyright problems.) There are literally millions of such things. Do you really think that applying an exponential fee to them has a chance?
- kmak 17y ago
  Steamboat Willie is still not in the public domain. I'm just stating an interesting plan, not that it is realistic. Please do not make unnecessary assumptions.
  - anamax 17y ago
    > Steamboat Willie is still not in the public domain. That's true, but misses the point. Even if Steamboat Willie enters the public domain, Mickey Mouse doesn't enter the public domain. Sherlock Holmes is in the public domain - I can sell new Sherlock Holmes stories. Mickey Mouse is protected by trademark, so I can't sell a new Mickey Mouse story, no matter how many Mickey Mouse stories have gone off-copyright.
    - bediger 17y ago
      Some questions about the copyright status of Sherlock Holmes stories still exists: http://www.techdirt.com/blog.php?tag=sherlock+holmes&edition=techdirt http://www.techdirt.com/blog.php?tag=sherlock+holmes&edi... If I had any literary talent, I'd think twice about writing any Sherlock Holmes sequels, etc, althought I cheerfully bought, read and enjoyed "Shadows over Baker Street", a mashup of Sherlock Holmes, and HP Lovecraft's Elder Gods. Surely this illustrates that "chilling effect" on free speech that copyright has, eh?

by kmak 17y ago

anamax 17y ago

> I think there's an idea where copyright extension fee grows exponentially, so free for first N, $1 for the next N, $10 for the next N.. There are lots of ideas. However, few of them can be realized. If we can't enact Lessig's plan, what makes you think that an exponential fee schedule has any chance? > but it'll be worth it for you (Mickey is worth quite a bit after all these years). "Micky" isn't copyrighted. Mickey is trademarked. Things where Mickey makes an appearance are copyrighted. (Trademark is what keeps you from producing new works containing Mickey. Copyright keeps you from copying existing works and deriving new works from said existing works. For example, porn mickey need not have copyright problems.) There are literally millions of such things. Do you really think that applying an exponential fee to them has a chance?

kmak 17y ago
Steamboat Willie is still not in the public domain. I'm just stating an interesting plan, not that it is realistic. Please do not make unnecessary assumptions.
- anamax 17y ago
  > Steamboat Willie is still not in the public domain. That's true, but misses the point. Even if Steamboat Willie enters the public domain, Mickey Mouse doesn't enter the public domain. Sherlock Holmes is in the public domain - I can sell new Sherlock Holmes stories. Mickey Mouse is protected by trademark, so I can't sell a new Mickey Mouse story, no matter how many Mickey Mouse stories have gone off-copyright.
  - bediger 17y ago
    Some questions about the copyright status of Sherlock Holmes stories still exists: http://www.techdirt.com/blog.php?tag=sherlock+holmes&edition=techdirt http://www.techdirt.com/blog.php?tag=sherlock+holmes&edi... If I had any literary talent, I'd think twice about writing any Sherlock Holmes sequels, etc, althought I cheerfully bought, read and enjoyed "Shadows over Baker Street", a mashup of Sherlock Holmes, and HP Lovecraft's Elder Gods. Surely this illustrates that "chilling effect" on free speech that copyright has, eh?