2 ms·

Isn't the argument usually the opposite? That due to the copyright laws today, Shakespeare couldn't have even written his stories? The sword cuts both ways.

Isn't the argument usually the opposite? That due to the copyright laws today, Shakespeare couldn't have even written his stories? The sword cuts both ways. He can't base his works on other peoples' works, or he can't put a lock an key on his own. Also, his plays weren't meant to be read, they were meant to be seen being performed. Unsurprisingly, that's how the popular music artists of today make the most money as well. It's not even piracy that causes that, either.

anamax 16y ago
> That due to the copyright laws today, Shakespeare couldn't have even written his stories? > He can't base his works on other peoples' works, or he can't put a lock an key on his own. Did Shakespeare reuse many non-public characters? I ask because that's where copyright is an impediment to story writing. That is, Disney can go after me for doing a story with Woody the Cowboy, but not Carl the Cowboy, even if Carl is secretly alive. However, I heard that Pixar patented putting eyes on the windshield for vehicles that are alive.
- tokenadult 16y ago
  I heard that Pixar patented putting eyes on the windshield for vehicles that are alive. Where did you hear that? I don't think "patent" is the likely legal concept if such a thing was done.
- elwin 16y ago
  > Did Shakespeare reuse many non-public characters? I ask because that's where copyright is an impediment to story writing. Shakespeare reused large portions of the plotlines from contemporary plays. Hamlet and As You Like It are two I can think of. But I think he changed most of the names.
Tycho 16y ago
I'm sure Shakespeare could have found a way to write his plays if the source material he used had been unavailable/protected. I think the point is that Shakespeare had an effective pay wall which guaranteed he'd be rewarded for his work (there was still piracy, human recorders in the audience, but it was manageable). Later copyright protected markets created 'virtual paywalls' and much more creativity ensued. The web has greatly reduced the effectiveness of all these paywalls, thus someone like Shakespeare might not even bother to create in the first place. Also, having exclusive performance rights is very important too. Otherwise the only hope of commission is for the chance to debut/premier a work (after which, it's anyone's game).

anamax 16y ago

> That due to the copyright laws today, Shakespeare couldn't have even written his stories? > He can't base his works on other peoples' works, or he can't put a lock an key on his own. Did Shakespeare reuse many non-public characters? I ask because that's where copyright is an impediment to story writing. That is, Disney can go after me for doing a story with Woody the Cowboy, but not Carl the Cowboy, even if Carl is secretly alive. However, I heard that Pixar patented putting eyes on the windshield for vehicles that are alive.

tokenadult 16y ago
I heard that Pixar patented putting eyes on the windshield for vehicles that are alive. Where did you hear that? I don't think "patent" is the likely legal concept if such a thing was done.
elwin 16y ago
> Did Shakespeare reuse many non-public characters? I ask because that's where copyright is an impediment to story writing. Shakespeare reused large portions of the plotlines from contemporary plays. Hamlet and As You Like It are two I can think of. But I think he changed most of the names.

Tycho 16y ago

I'm sure Shakespeare could have found a way to write his plays if the source material he used had been unavailable/protected. I think the point is that Shakespeare had an effective pay wall which guaranteed he'd be rewarded for his work (there was still piracy, human recorders in the audience, but it was manageable). Later copyright protected markets created 'virtual paywalls' and much more creativity ensued. The web has greatly reduced the effectiveness of all these paywalls, thus someone like Shakespeare might not even bother to create in the first place. Also, having exclusive performance rights is very important too. Otherwise the only hope of commission is for the chance to debut/premier a work (after which, it's anyone's game).