The constitutionally defined purpose of copyright is: "... To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inv

The constitutionally defined purpose of copyright is: "... To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries." I don't understand how "person X created this so anyone who does something similar has to pay him and his kin for all eternity" promotes progress. In fact, it does the exact opposite - at some point you can't do or say anything through any persistent media without paying legions of lawyers, trusts, and corporate entities.