XPost: rec.arts.tv, rec.arts.sf.tv   
   From: jimgysin@geemail.com   
      
   Frank Frank sent the following on 10/28/2009 4:11 AM:   
   > Jim Gysin wrote:   
   >> Dr Nancy's Sweetie sent the following on 10/26/2009 8:41 PM:   
   >>> Somebody wrote, of copyrights:   
   >>>> The current 105 year span (likely to be expanded again by Disney   
   >>>> lobbying) is ridiculous.   
   >>> "Jim Gysin " replied:   
   >>>> Why?  Because it's not what you want?   
   >>> The original justification is "to promote the progress of science and   
   >>> useful arts", and I don't think a copyright term longer than the   
   >>> average life expectancy does that.   
   >> And FWIW, promoting progress wasn't the *only* original "justification,"   
   >> either.   
   >   
   > It's the only one stated in the Constitution.   
      
   I didn't suggest otherwise.  And I'm pretty sure that our laws are based   
   on more than just the words in the Constitution, even as I agree that   
   there are times when I wish things were otherwise.   
      
   >>> I think the current copyright terms do the exact opposite: they   
   >>> undermine creativity and useful arts.  Consider that Disney's animation   
   >>> studio had produced drek for years, and the only way they were able to   
   >>> rejuvenate themselves was to buy Pixar and let the Pixar people run the   
   >>> place.  They hadn't had a decent original idea in years, because they   
   >>> didn't NEED to: they are still profiting off Walt Disney's original   
   >>> work, even though he's been dead for over 40 years.   
   >> Is there a law that requires them to generate new ideas on a regular   
   >> basis?  Does society have a "right" to expect it out of them?  Does   
   >> society have some sort of claim on them?   
   >   
   > It doesn't seem unreasonable to require them to generate new ideas on a   
   > regular basis IN ORDER TO GET PAID FOR IDEA-GENERATION ON A REGULAR BASIS.   
   >   
   > If they want to quit, they can go ahead but they should then have to   
   > find another line of work to bring home the bacon.   
      
   Which is exactly what pirates and freeloaders and parasites are already   
   encouraging artists to do.  I'm glad that you have a semblance of an   
   understanding of disincentives.   
      
   And it's gonna get worse before it gets better.  And then the Seamuses   
   of the world will probably complain that no one is providing them with   
   new movies and songs and books, and they will lobby and insist that the   
   creative types get back to work--by force, if necessary--for the   
   "benefit of society," and all that.   
      
   --   
   Jim Gysin   
   Waukesha, WI   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)