> to EEC law, hence also EU, the point of copyright on anything is so
> that no one else but you can make money on whatever you 'invent',
>

This is generally how I understand it, but I do think copyright
is also there to ensure that the owner gets as much profit as
he can from each individual. Take the example of a map (Ordnance
Survey are quite uppity about copyright). You might think it
reasonable for you to take a photocopy so that your original
doesn't get wrecked whilst you're out hiking, but not so: you're
supposed to buy another copy. This, as far as I can see, is not
about ensuring that others don't make money from your "invention"
but about ensuring the inventor isn't deprived of profit. Of course,
it's less to do with each individual having two copies, and more to
do with stopping people photocopying in private libraries.

Andy

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