--- Johannes Gebauer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I know this post is going to be a little > controversial, and I am by no > means an expert on copyright. Anyway, I'd like to > point out that > copyright, originally, was actually there to protect > the artist. It is, > imo, a good thing if the copyright term is long. How > long, I guess is > another question. >
My understanding was that it was to benefit both the artist and society, and was originally for a very limited term. Unfortunately, the term seems to get extended every time something popular is about to become public domain - you can argue about what the term should be, but I'm fairly certain that it should be somewhat shorter than forever. A couple of years ago I did an essay for a class based on the Sony copy-protection case. At first, the teacher said I had failed address the issue of what would happen when the music became public domain, but agreed with me when I pointed out that he was making a big assumption that it would ever happen. > However, although you might say that copyright > doesn't help the artist > but the industry, this, as such, might well be more > the American > situation than the European. Perhaps. It is similar in my country as well, but I don't know the European situation. > So, although obviously > UE was more after > protecting their own assets, they are, also, > protecting some composer's > assets, or at least their heir's assets. > Reasonable within limits. UE listed composers that have long been in public domain in Europe - example Mahler who will soon be public domain under even the most restrictive rules. > You might not like it, but I for one, would like my > kids to benefit if I > am the composer of Europe's new anthem (which I > won't be, don't worry). > > Ok, I know reactions are going to come very soon... > >From one of the IMSLP forums: "Many articles are being written. I suspect the most important to view are those of lawyer Howard Knop at http://excesscopyright.blogspot.com/ and Michael Geist at http://www.michaelgeist.ca/ " -- Io la Musica son, ch'ai dolci accenti So far tranquillo ogni turbato core, Et or di nobil ira et or d'amore Poss'infiammar le più gelate menti. _______________________________________________ Finale mailing list [email protected] http://lists.shsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/finale
