Interesting Article On Copyright Reform

[Oscar Michelen]

So this morning I read an interesting article on copyright reform that talked about how a GOP staffer had issued a policy memo calling for several copyright reforms including shortening the length of time of protection only to have it quickly pulled when the GOP realized the reforms would be bad for the multinational corporations they hold dear. But the article reminds everyone that the Constitution calls for rights to be held for "a limited time" in order to promote science and art. We have gotten away from that concept and have moved from providing rights for  28 years (14 plus another 14) to providing rights for 70 years after an author's death which could easily be well more than a century.  In some cases, Congress has continually extended copyright protection on behalf of specific corporate entities. Otherwise a certain mouse would have long fallen into public domain. Here's the story:
http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2012/11/rsc_copyright_reform_memo_derek_khanna_tries_to_get_republican_study_committee.html   

[Mulligan]

Excellent article. Thanks for linking to this one, Oscar. As usual, with our "elected" officials, it's all about the money and big corporations.