Thoughts on copyright

• Loaded words: piracy, stealing, vs copyright infringement.
• Physical vs intellectual property: I don't lose something (other
  than potential revenue) when someone copies my work.
• By definition of the law copyright infringement is as much theft
  as stealing Cable TV.
• Artist as a beacon of light vs artist as a mirror reflecting society.
• Why not to steal: right and wrong defined by law, or defined by
  some other ethics. Break the law if the ends justified it?
• Ignore motivation for infringement: easier, priced too high,
  monopolies prevent fair competition, etc.
• Copyright as motivation (limited monopoly) vs artist has
  intrinsic "rights" to their work.
• No intrinsic value: "value" of intellectual works determined by
  consumers. Does this lead to long tails (few win everything)?
• Perpetual copyright: 1790 - 14 years, 1831 - 28 years, 1909 - 28
  years (28 year renewal), 1976 - 75 or life plus 50, 1992 - no need
  for renewal, 1998 - 95/120 years or life plus 70, DMCA, SOPA.
• Can't sing birthday song in restaurants.
• If intrinsic right to property does exist, why let copyright
  expire, ever?
• Flip: creative works property of "the people" who postpone their
  right to the work to encourage additional creation.