J.R.R. Tolkien & George Orwell Removed From Public Domain

from the dissenting opinion by Justices Breyer and Alito:

The statute before us, however, does not encourage anyone to produce a single new work. By definition, it bestows monetary rewards only on owners of old works — works that have already been created and already are in the American public domain. At the same time, the statute inhibits the dissemination of those works, foreign works published abroad after 1923, of which there are many millions, including films, works of art, innumerable photographs, and, of course, books—books that (in the absence of the statute) would assume their rightful places in computer-accessible databases, spreading knowledge throughout the world.

(via.)

(Source: thelifeguardlibrarian)

1. sawdustonthefloor reblogged this from thelifeguardlibrarian and added:

   Uhm, how were Tolkien and Orwell in the Public Domain, in the first place? Unless, there was some provision in the US...

2. arianaarrieta reblogged this from thelifeguardlibrarian
3. imaurel reblogged this from booksandghosts and added:

   Oh yes, because that’s who it makes perfect sense to go for, Government. Good job.

4. lifeofkel said: Does anyone know how long the new copyright protection will last? Also, when will Google have to comply with this ruling?
5. thenelsontwins reblogged this from theconceptlibrarian and added:

   Furthers the theory that everyone in government is in bed with everyone in business.

6. pushbartoopen reblogged this from thelifeguardlibrarian
7. holleygolightly liked this
8. soothingthesavagebeast said: So, if I understand the article, if one lives outside the U.S., these authors are still under Public Domain, but here in tyhe U.S., they are now back under (c) protection… Soooo, just who are we truly protecting by such decisions? Ur Posts=GREAT!
9. spookysage reblogged this from jaclynhyde
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14. theconceptlibrarian reblogged this from thelifeguardlibrarian and added:

    from the dissenting opinion by Justices Breyer and Alito:

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