Copyright law is a restriction on freedom (the freedom to make copies, derivative works, etc), and causes enormous financial costs. The justification given for

Copyright law is a restriction on freedom (the freedom to make copies, derivative works, etc), and causes enormous financial costs. The justification given for copyright law is that it will, in essence, promote the arts. No extra TV shows are going to get made because there is a chance that, 20 years down the line, the show is still making money. It's purely a financial gift to the large businesses that own old copyrights, at the expense of everyone else.