Alternative 2009 Copyright Expirations 427
jrincayc writes "It's nearly the end of 2009. If the 1790 copyright maximum term of 28 years was still in effect, everything that had been published by 1981 would be now be in the public domain — like the original Ultima and God Emperor of Dune — and would be available for remixing and mashing up. If the 1909 copyright maximum term of 56 years (if renewed) were still in force, everything published by 1953 would now be in the public domain, freeing The City and the Stars and Forbidden Planet. If the 1976 copyright act term of 75* years (* it's complicated) still applied, everything published by 1934 would now be in the public domain, including Murder on the Orient Express. But thanks to the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act, nothing in the US will go free until 2018, when 1923 works expire." Assuming Congress doesn't step in with a Copyright Extension Act of 2017. What are the odds?
Re:Sickening (Score:5, Funny)
Re:What did you expect? (Score:2, Funny)
Sonny Bono - I own you babe! (Score:4, Funny)
But thanks to the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act
They say we're young and we don't know.
Won't be out of copyright till we grow.
Well I don't know Babe if you think that's true
But I've got a bill that'll F*** you!
Babe.
I own you babe.
I own you babe.
They say this music won't pay the rent
But I'll increase copyright and they'll get bent
I guess that's so, this song is dross
But at least I'm sure that I won't make a loss
Babe.
I own you babe.
I own you babe.
I got money coming in
And I don't have to do a thing
And when I'm sad, I'll copyright a clown
Then laud it over parents all over the town
Don't let them say your copyright's too long
Why would I care? I can buy a thousand bongs
Then put your awful song with mine
Sit on our backside while our profits climb
Babe.
I own you babe.
I own you babe.
I got though this song's bland
I got you, you understand?
I got you if you walk like that
I've got you if you talk like that
I've got you kiss your music goodnight
I've got you and you know what you can bite
I got you, I won't let go
I got you to pay me so
I own you babe.
God Emperor of Dune? (Score:5, Funny)
Poor Leto. Killed by *all* those inner voices demanding royalties for the copyright of their memories. Eternal royalties. The Golden Path ends before it could begin.
Re:What did you expect? (Score:5, Funny)
So what they meant was "we couldn't give a shit what the constitution intends[, we're happy to have it's purpose undermined to the point it's hollower than a slice of swiss cheese]".
Yay for living in Europe, where the spirit of the law still counts for something.
Re:Sickening (Score:5, Funny)
Seriously - there is no justification for extension of copyright being retroactive. People aren't going to be motivated to retroactively create new old works...
Time Lords need creative incentives too, you insensitive clod!
Re:Sonny Bono - I own you babe! (Score:3, Funny)
Did you actually try singing that, or even speaking it out loud? Scansion - look it up.
Dude it's a joke on an Internet board, and singing it out loud might get me fired. Get a grip.
I almost forgot! (Score:4, Funny)
Dammit. I'd just hit "Submit" when I remembered this sublime article: Nation's Rappers Down to Last Two Samples [theonion.com].
altering the deal (Score:1, Funny)
I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further.
Re:For fuck's sake! (Score:5, Funny)
This is why Disney are doing the world a favour by repeatedly buying copyright extensions. It forces people to come up with their own creative original stories - you know, like Disney did - rather than ripping off other people's stories that just happen to be old enough to no longer be protected. Thanks to Disney, creative artists now have the kind of long-term protection that Hans Christian Andersen, Rudyard Kipling and Lewis Carroll never enjoyed, whereas cheap rip-off merchants who only plunder other people's ideas can no longer ply their grimy trade.
Re:What did you expect? (Score:5, Funny)
Do you think the European Comission cares about "the spirit" of anything?
Only if it's of high enough proof.