Chris Roberson ends his relationship with DC Comics

[ryan]

The original U.S. copyright law, passed in 1790

and explicitly authorized by Section 8 of the constitution, and the basis for all IP law in the US, called for a term of 14 years with one 14 year renewal at the creators request. What I believe is essentially what the original framers believed - copyright and other IP is not a perpetual license to restrict the greater marketplace of ideas. Copyright is intended to benefit the public - not the creator. It's supposed to be a temporary condition that allows a creator an initial period of benefit - nothing more. The idea of lifetime + 50, or whatever the hell it is now, is ridiculous, and the framers agree with that position. It amazes me that people today view the very basis of your freedom (at least in the U.S.) as an "extreme" position.

really?

it was 1790.

the average life expectancy was barely 35 years old.


also, what Jim said.

[Dean S.]

The idea behind copyright is to encourage creators to invest their time and effort in creating works that will ultimately benefit the public by enabling those creators to profit from the work. The duration has changed with the marketplace because it needed to change with the marketplace. It may have changed too much but what you're proposing could arguably have a catastrophic impact in the arts.

Yes.....and the fact that copyright expiration doesn't allow new creative works.  All it would do is allow a non-artist like me to make and sell exact replicas of something a talented guy like Jim had created. 

The only benefits from copyright expiration are (a) the non-creative companies that make cheap replicas and (b) the public who wants to buy cheap replicas.