[Air-l] Copyright and fair use -- further notes

[Zunt at aol.com]

In a message dated 5/24/01 2:20:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time, tedf at gsu.edu 
writes:

> (Although I
>  don't see how they're the "authors" the constution's copyright provision
>  was designed to protect.)

In many cases they are not.  They might be the heirs or assignees of the 
various rights that the author may have granted one way or another.  It's not 
really the individual who is being protected--it's the bundle of rights that 
are being protected most directly.  Benefits accrue to those who generate 
intellectual property--and to the folks who purchase the rights for 
redistribution--just because those rights are protected.  Congress is 
supposed to compose copyright law "to promote the progress of science and 
useful arts...,"  and historically, the way that's been accomplished in the 
US has been to allow for a system of economic rewards.  Perhaps there's a 
better way?

Cheers,

Bob Briggs
Westport, MA