See other news in the IJ today for an example of the insanity that is perpetual copyrights (and yes, life + 75 years is essentially forever). This is an estate of a long dead man suing over quite literally a few words (and in one case a paraphrasing of those words) which were written about sixty years ago. What benefit to society or to the public results from such insanity? Make no mistake, copyright is nothing more than a government-enforced monopoly. Would Faulkner not have written these words if they would only be protected by force of government for, say, fifteen years? Of course he would still have written them. http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2012/10/31/268547.htm
This article references a Costco suit. That suit involved Omega watches which are made abroad. Omega sued, but they sued for copyright infringement. That was abnormal, because you can’t copyright a watch. But it turns out, if you simply print a tiny copyrighted “Omega” symbol on the rear of the watch face (where it is not visible), then copyright law can apparently apply. This shows that manufacturers can and will twist and manipulate the law and common law rulings to control downstream retail and resale (in that case Omega was displeased with the low price Costco was able to offer the watch for). These kinds of actions do not benefit consumers or the public. And a court ruling the wrong way in this case would have predictable negative consequences for the American economy and consumer to the benefit of foreign entities.
Ironically, this shows how copyright holders soak the American public while practically giving their goods away in foreign markets. Think about it, if the student bought the books at retail in Thailand and sold them for a profit here in the US, there must be a significant cost difference. You have to wonder why we charge ourselves for the knowledge we put in print, and then sell the same thing to foreign competitors for pennies on the dollar. You know those $50 Sybex computer books? – I bought them brand new in Singapore for $10. How does it make sense for anyone except the manufacturer? I think it’s immoral and unpatriotic.
See other news in the IJ today for an example of the insanity that is perpetual copyrights (and yes, life + 75 years is essentially forever). This is an estate of a long dead man suing over quite literally a few words (and in one case a paraphrasing of those words) which were written about sixty years ago. What benefit to society or to the public results from such insanity? Make no mistake, copyright is nothing more than a government-enforced monopoly. Would Faulkner not have written these words if they would only be protected by force of government for, say, fifteen years? Of course he would still have written them. http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2012/10/31/268547.htm
This article references a Costco suit. That suit involved Omega watches which are made abroad. Omega sued, but they sued for copyright infringement. That was abnormal, because you can’t copyright a watch. But it turns out, if you simply print a tiny copyrighted “Omega” symbol on the rear of the watch face (where it is not visible), then copyright law can apparently apply. This shows that manufacturers can and will twist and manipulate the law and common law rulings to control downstream retail and resale (in that case Omega was displeased with the low price Costco was able to offer the watch for). These kinds of actions do not benefit consumers or the public. And a court ruling the wrong way in this case would have predictable negative consequences for the American economy and consumer to the benefit of foreign entities.
Ironically, this shows how copyright holders soak the American public while practically giving their goods away in foreign markets. Think about it, if the student bought the books at retail in Thailand and sold them for a profit here in the US, there must be a significant cost difference. You have to wonder why we charge ourselves for the knowledge we put in print, and then sell the same thing to foreign competitors for pennies on the dollar. You know those $50 Sybex computer books? – I bought them brand new in Singapore for $10. How does it make sense for anyone except the manufacturer? I think it’s immoral and unpatriotic.