[Sussex] The Economis copyight going wrong way

[Andrew Guard]

http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?story_id=4128994

[quote]
In America, the length of copyright protection has increased enormously
over the past century, from around 28 years to as much as 95 years. The
same trend can be seen in other countries. In June Britain signalled that
it may extend its copyright term from 50 years to around 90 years.

This makes no sense. Copyright was originally intended to encourage
publication by granting publishers a temporary monopoly on works so they
could earn a return on their investment. But the internet and new digital
technologies have made the publication and distribution of works much
easier and cheaper. Publishers should therefore need fewer, not more,
property rights to protect their investment. Technology has tipped the
balance in favour of the public domain.

A first, useful step would be a drastic reduction of copyright back to its
original terms—14 years, renewable once. This should provide media firms
plenty of chance to earn profits, and consumers plenty of opportunity to
rip, mix, burn their back catalogues without breaking the law. The Supreme
Court has somewhat reluctantly clipped the wings of copyright pirates; it
is time for Congress to do the same to the copyright incumbents.
[/quote]

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