Thursday, July 17, 2008

The EU announces plans to extend copyright from 50 to 95 years

According to the Timesonline, in what's called the Beatle's extension, the EU is seriously considering extending copyright from 50 to 95 years. (In the US it's the life of the author plus 70 years). Pressure has been exerted, apparently, from some of the "rock dinosaurs" of the 1960's including "Sir Paul McCartney."

The most interesting aspect of this article is the comments. Some of the commenters have good points -- I like the person who wrote that in 100 years we will laugh at copyright, which by then, creators will have copyright protection for 3 years and that's it. Hum, I wonder if it could happen? Foucault seemed to think our entire perception of authorship would change eventually -- perhaps the 3 year copyright imagined might be a step in the right direction.

The article is here:

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article4347643.ece

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