There's a paper: http://rufuspollock.org/economics/papers/optimal_copyright_term.pdf http://rufuspollock.org/economics/papers/optimal_copyright_t... Abstract:

There's a paper: http://rufuspollock.org/economics/papers/optimal_copyright_term.pdf http://rufuspollock.org/economics/papers/optimal_copyright_t... Abstract: "The optimal term of copyright has been a matter for extensive debate over the last decade. Based on a novel approach we derive an explicit formula which characterises the optimal term as a function of a few key and, most importantly, empirically-estimable parameters. Using existing data on recordings and books we obtain a point estimate of around 15 years for optimal copyright term with a 99% confidence interval extending up to 38 years. This is substantially shorter than any current copyright term and implies that existing terms are too long." Additional information: http://rufuspollock.org/2009/09/22/talk-at-atrip-conference-how-long-should-copyright-last/ http://rufuspollock.org/2009/09/22/talk-at-atrip-conference-...