[Baron Munchausen]

Not pointing out that it's about personal control misses the main point of everyone else's argument. 'Copyright' has become legalized extortion. It Lasts for the author's lifetime +70 years for printed works and apparently is meant to be perpetual for the music industry. You did hear how they tried to sneak a 'music is a work for hire' clause into recent legislation so they could own everything outright instead of having to pay royalties to the artists who CREATED 'their' wealth? How many years has has it been since 'Satisfaction' by the Stones was released? Approaching 40. Yet we are still expected to pay a fee directly (buying a CD) or indirectly (commercials on radio) in order to hear it! It's part of the culture now, one of the most recognizable songs in history. When can we just listen to it without being tapped by bloodsuckers? If the suits won't accept reasonable limits on copyright then people are going to ignore them. It's the classic case of abuse of the law producing disrespect for the law.

I really, really hope that the challenge to copyright extension being heard by the Supreme Court is upheld or we are headed for Copyright Feudalism.

[ June 27, 2002, 15:43: Message edited by: Baron Munchausen ]