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Pastimes : Clown-Free Zone... sorry, no clowns allowed
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To: TobagoJack who wrote (277922)2/23/2004 11:53:54 AM
From: Tommaso   of 436258
 
Thanks--that's what I was wondering about. I wonder if that's what the Chinese characters say on the DVDs of the Sopranos that I bought, though those may not even be legitimate since they are not copy-protected.

I think there is considerable abuse of copyright when a copyright holder finds himself or herself in control of something for which there is real demand and no competition. The worst case I know is a textbook that was essential for a class I taught. The publisher had long since recovered the cost of production and made large profits. The book was still in the same edition after about eighteen years. But because it was under copyright the publisher could ask $35 for a 150-page paperback book because it was, in fact, the best book by far for that purpose. It originally sold for about $5.00.

T. S. Eliot's widow (or her lawyers) demanded astronomical fees to quote from his poetry until it finally went out of copyright.

And of course there is the famous case of "Happy Birthday to You" song, still under copyright.

If your local cultural self-improvement group gets together and entertains themselves with a reading of a Tennessee Williams play, they may get a bill, if the event is reported in a newspaper.

I think there needs to be vigorous advocacy for the rights of the cultural consumers.

Copyright enforcement may end up being too much like enforcing alcohol prohibition, encouraging a contempt for the laws.
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