4 ms·

It saddens me a good deal that most of us can come up with very compelling arguments that un-restricting these works would benefit society, yet there seems ther

It saddens me a good deal that most of us can come up with very compelling arguments that un-restricting these works would benefit society, yet there seems there's very little we could do to make even a splash of change. In fact, I gander the comments here will soon be filled with of "here's how I would do it" comments, none of which will make a mote of a difference. What can we do, really? It seems insane that the reasons given hold any merit beyond a money-grab. And while I may be a bit myopic here, the "motivates content-producers" feels flimsier still than monetary arguments. Do most creative works really need even ten years of protection? Do you suppose Shakespeare would have made more plays or less if copyright existed in his day?

lmm 14y ago
Well, we can vote - but this is hardly the most important issue on which we vote. We could get a bit smarter, and lobby - but we're unlikely to be able to out-spend Disney. Or we can ignore the legal system and share things, which is probably the most practical and effective approach. They can't imprison us all.
joshuahedlund 14y ago
A lot has changed already since 1998. I don't think it is outside the realm of possibility that the current 2019 date could be allowed to lapse when it arrives, especially if we continue with raising awareness, lobbying/organizing efforts, trying to get notable/influential figures signing on to the cause, etc, for the next 6 years. That would be a depressing "starting point" of progress, to be sure, but since it only requires inaction it might be more achievable than positive copyright reform that requires action, especially since everyone disagrees on the proper action to take.
MarkMc 14y ago
I'm not convinced that un-restricting works would benefit society. If Disney gets to keep copyright on Snow White forever, about a third of the movie's profit will continue to be paid in tax. So the choice is between (a) letting 7-year-olds everywhere watch Snow White, and (b) having more money to pay for roads, schools and cancer research. Is option (a) necessarily better?
- nitrogen 14y ago
  If Disney gets to keep copyright on Snow White forever, about a third of the movie's profit will continue to be paid in tax. Do you have any evidence to counteract the common wisdom that movies rarely actually make any money on paper? So the choice is between (a) letting 7-year-olds everywhere watch Snow White, and (b) having more money to pay for roads, schools and cancer research. Is option (a) necessarily better? Letting Disney sell Snow White doesn't magically create money from nothing. The money that isn't spent by consumers on Snow White will be spent on something else, which will eventually be taxed, funding roads, schools, and cancer research.

lmm 14y ago

Well, we can vote - but this is hardly the most important issue on which we vote. We could get a bit smarter, and lobby - but we're unlikely to be able to out-spend Disney. Or we can ignore the legal system and share things, which is probably the most practical and effective approach. They can't imprison us all.

joshuahedlund 14y ago

A lot has changed already since 1998. I don't think it is outside the realm of possibility that the current 2019 date could be allowed to lapse when it arrives, especially if we continue with raising awareness, lobbying/organizing efforts, trying to get notable/influential figures signing on to the cause, etc, for the next 6 years. That would be a depressing "starting point" of progress, to be sure, but since it only requires inaction it might be more achievable than positive copyright reform that requires action, especially since everyone disagrees on the proper action to take.

MarkMc 14y ago

I'm not convinced that un-restricting works would benefit society. If Disney gets to keep copyright on Snow White forever, about a third of the movie's profit will continue to be paid in tax. So the choice is between (a) letting 7-year-olds everywhere watch Snow White, and (b) having more money to pay for roads, schools and cancer research. Is option (a) necessarily better?

nitrogen 14y ago
If Disney gets to keep copyright on Snow White forever, about a third of the movie's profit will continue to be paid in tax. Do you have any evidence to counteract the common wisdom that movies rarely actually make any money on paper? So the choice is between (a) letting 7-year-olds everywhere watch Snow White, and (b) having more money to pay for roads, schools and cancer research. Is option (a) necessarily better? Letting Disney sell Snow White doesn't magically create money from nothing. The money that isn't spent by consumers on Snow White will be spent on something else, which will eventually be taxed, funding roads, schools, and cancer research.