4 ms·

I mean if everyone agree but a few big companies, how is it possible that it has not yet been changed by politicians. I’m not saying specifically USA but also

I mean if everyone agree but a few big companies, how is it possible that it has not yet been changed by politicians. I’m not saying specifically USA but also Europe, I can’t see common people fighting over the right of author to hold intellectual properties for 70 years. Haven’t been trials to shorten it somewhere, either USA or any other developed countries where it’s actually enforced ?

ronsor 2y ago
There are a few reasons why copyright terms aren't shortened: * International treaties make it difficult without buy-in from everyone, or at least the most important countries. The USA is probably the only country that could afford to unilaterally make such a change. * Politicians are largely beholden to big companies now. * The average person is distracted with other societal woes, and politicians and companies work hard to keep it that way. * Some people have been convinced that excessive copyright is a moral good through propaganda.
- genghisjahn 2y ago
  I’m not sure where I stand on this, but is it possible that some people have been convinced that copyright is a moral evil by propaganda? I pause when I hear this line of argument, “I’m a free thinker and I have objective truth. Others are weak minded victims of propaganda.”
  - ronsor 2y ago
    Of course. There's all kinds of propaganda (and depending on where you stand, some propaganda is good and other propaganda is bad), and not one person is immune. But for the sake of this discussion, there are some extra factors to consider: * Those promoting copyright expansion or the status quo have significant amounts of money; those criticizing it mostly do not (counting groups with real principles, anyway) * It is suspicious for people who have no personal interest in extended copyright to excessively favor it.
lmm 2y ago
The benefits of a shorter term are diffuse. The benefits of a longer term are concentrated. This is a case where representative democracy often breaks down - policy A would be better for almost everyone, but not by enough for them to switch their vote on, whereas policy B is better by enough for a few people to make them single-issue voters. So we get policy B.
- mrkstu 2y ago
  Single issue /donors/

ronsor 2y ago

There are a few reasons why copyright terms aren't shortened: * International treaties make it difficult without buy-in from everyone, or at least the most important countries. The USA is probably the only country that could afford to unilaterally make such a change. * Politicians are largely beholden to big companies now. * The average person is distracted with other societal woes, and politicians and companies work hard to keep it that way. * Some people have been convinced that excessive copyright is a moral good through propaganda.

genghisjahn 2y ago
I’m not sure where I stand on this, but is it possible that some people have been convinced that copyright is a moral evil by propaganda? I pause when I hear this line of argument, “I’m a free thinker and I have objective truth. Others are weak minded victims of propaganda.”
- ronsor 2y ago
  Of course. There's all kinds of propaganda (and depending on where you stand, some propaganda is good and other propaganda is bad), and not one person is immune. But for the sake of this discussion, there are some extra factors to consider: * Those promoting copyright expansion or the status quo have significant amounts of money; those criticizing it mostly do not (counting groups with real principles, anyway) * It is suspicious for people who have no personal interest in extended copyright to excessively favor it.

lmm 2y ago

The benefits of a shorter term are diffuse. The benefits of a longer term are concentrated. This is a case where representative democracy often breaks down - policy A would be better for almost everyone, but not by enough for them to switch their vote on, whereas policy B is better by enough for a few people to make them single-issue voters. So we get policy B.

mrkstu 2y ago
Single issue /donors/