[Lancaster] Help stop the extension of copyrights on sound recordings. -- was: [Fwd: [CovLUG-Chat] OT copyright reduction petition]

[Martyn Welch]

On Saturday 01 March 2008 22:58:42 Richard Smedley wrote:
> coincidentally...
>
> -------- Forwarded Message --------
> From: Richard Kay <rich at copsewood.net>
> Reply-To: chat at lists.covlug.org.uk
> To: chat at lists.covlug.org.uk
> Subject: [CovLUG-Chat] OT copyright reduction petition
> Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:11:27 +0000
>
> This isn't strictly to do with Linux, but I guess those who
> are interested in free software are likely to be supportive
> of proposals to limit excessive copyright terms. Supporing
> reduction of copyright terms will also send a signal
> that oppressive measures to enforce copyright are
> unpopular, while the principle of proportionate reward
> to creators of work is not being challenged.
>

Whilst I very broadly agree...

> So I have created a petition to limit copyright terms to
> a maximum of 20 years. This would benefit the development
> of free software by making it possible to consider proprietary
> software developed 20 or more years ago, for which the
> source code is available, as public domain material.
> Other arts are likely to benefit in a similar way.
>

This will also have other side effects. Such as proprietary software companies 
being able to exploit 20 year old opensource software without worrying. There 
is also a good chance that it won't help the open source developers - as the 
system stands the proprietary software companies are under no obligation to 
release any code relating to their 20 year old products. We'll just end up 
with near useless 20 year old free binaries (if you can find those).

I think that the issue of software patents is still far more pressing. 
Software patents stop the re-implementation of an idea, rather than straight 
copying of the code.

> In practice it is likely that having copyright terms of
> longer than 20 years actually discouraged the creation of
> new work, as this makes it more difficult to reuse older
> materials when the rights owner is no longer traceable.
>

Though I do agree that some opportunities would be a little more open here.

> Personally I don't know any artist, writer, songwriter
> or programmer who would have refused to create something
> because of loss of sales more than 20 years after the work was
> first published. This isn't why people are creative.

I agree. Though I think the length may be quite important to some - especially 
where large amounts of investment are needed.

> If you are a UK citizen and agree, the petition is at:
>
> http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ShortenCopyright/  
>
> Please do circulate this, or your own reasons for supporting
> it, to your other networks as you think appropriate.
>

Martyn

-- 

Martyn Welch (martyn at welchs.me.uk)

PGP Key : http://www.welchs.me.uk/martyn/pgpkey/
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