Links to Articles
Updated: 06/15/01
-- Please Note --
The articles and works on these other sites are NOT Public Domain. Please remember this and do not make copies without permission.
New Additions
The piece refutes a lot of common reasons people use to substantiate the need for copyrights and patents both. Don't let the word 'Libertarian' dissuade you from reading it.
Another good article on copyright - the author makes a special point about 'Works for hire.'
The author of this piece has connected the current upset over copyright with true revolution. How far will people allow this to go before they rebell?
Will the world go along with it?
At last, an article that actually shows a valid argument in favor of Napster-like copying. Even if you don't agree - this is a good one to read.
If you don't think copyright has gone too far, read this one. It shows very clearly how wrong modern copyright law has gotten.
Richard Stallman makes some definite points about the current mistreatment of the American Public through copyright and he comes out with some suggestions of what could be done to correct the imbalance.
This was written prior to the passage of the Sonny Bono Copyright Extension Act, but is still worth reading. It covers a lot of the details on how CTEA was pushed before Congress and who wasn't there to speak for the Public Interest.
Some history on Eric Eldred and why he decided to challenge copyright extensions.
As the title indicates, this is a discussion on Copyright. It takes some wading as the page includes a lot of extraneous data.
This article includes a rather dismal view of a possible future (not scifi - some of it is already happening.)
This one is for Christians, presenting a view of copyright from the aisles of the Church.
A very in-depth paper on how copyright compares with the Tragedy of the Commons in English History, containing a lot of quotations from the men who rationalized the 'theft' of common land. This is NOT light reading, though I highly recommend it.
This essay is not light reading, but it covers a lot of the important issues in dealing with copyright. One of the best points is the author's interest in acquiring moral rights for American authors, something the law has never provided in this country.
Another look at how copyright has become, not about promoting progress, but about control.
Dan Gillmor writes about the power of GREED and what it has done to change the balance between copyright owner and the Public.
A concise evolution of copyright - from the protection of the author to the protection of a corporate bottom line.
An excellent paper and the title is very descriptive of the content. Also, this piece is very readable and worth the time and effort to peruse the whole thing.
Marci Hamilton's article shows, in an easily understood manner, how important copyright's duration can be to the average everyday citizen.
In the beginning, copyright was to promote progress. This short article shows how it has mutated into property ownership instead of a limited term of monopoly.
This article discusses the history of copyright, what changes have been made to term limitations and how this effects the Public Domain. The work contains a few errors, missing the limit extension in 1831 and it lists that a law was changed in 1995 when it didn't become law until 1998 and was only introduced to Congress in 1995.
An article suggesting using an Abandoned Property law to elevate many works to the Public Domain, or see them published once more and available to the Public.
A discussion on the Public Domain, how it is perceived, and how the current trend of laws in favor of copyright owners has effected, not only what becomes Public Domain, but also the restriction on current works.
An excellent essay on the misperception of what the 'Exclusive Right' of authors is and was intended to be. This is NOT light reading, but it is worthwhile.
John Gilmore's almost rant on the subject of copy protection is an enlightening look at the realisms behind copyright owners attempt to prevent even the Constitutional guarantees inherent in copyright law.
Pamela Samuelson makes some important points about the evolution of copyright. Recommended reading for anyone serious about the issue.
This essay by Shelly Warwick does a wonderful job of showing the ethical problems inherent in copyright, with eloquent arguments to support both sides of the issue. Unfortunately, as she points out herself, she comes to no firm conclusions.
An interesting paper on why people don't obey copyright laws, raising the question of whether or not people should be made to obey these laws they've had no say in.
A short, quick history on the passing of the Sonny Bono Copyright Extension, what was behind it, who voted for it, who paid for it.