Should the Copyright Laws be changed? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Regulus · 10-02-2014, 08:32 AM

Should our copyright laws be changed to as they stood when first passed?

I'm sure ALL of us have had the frustration of wanting certain TV Shows and Movies that simply aren't officially available on DVD, or have been a "One Season and done, or only a "Best Of" Collection. Examples include TV Shows such as Lassie, Marcus Welby MD, The Beverly Hillbillies and Amos and Andyalong with movies Movies such as Song of the South among others. Is it any wonder bootlegging is so popular? As it stands, Most of these titles won't become "Public Domain" until the funeral of your Great-Great-Great Grandchildren due to the currant Copyright Law. It wasn't always that way. When originally passed, An owner of "Intellectual Property" Could Have it Copywrighted for 16 years, then could renew that Copyright ONLY ONCE. Today the Copyright can be renewed after 25 years again and again until 75 years after the last person associated with the show has passed away. If a Newborn Infant is on a show, and passes away 85 years later, that means the show won't be "Public Domain" until the year 2174!

Law enforcement agencies have enough problems dealing with Terrorism, Drug and Human Trafficking. Must they also roust those of us simply because we want to see a show the studios refuse to release? I can understand why they should crack down of those who Illegally pirate a show BEFORE it really comes out (As I'm writing this someone has already posted about downloading a movie that won't be released until tomorrow)!

I'll just wait until the movie mentioned comes out on DVD (Probably around Christmastime if my calculations are correct). IMO Shows that are 32 or more years or older is an entirely different story IMHO. These shows had their run, and are sitting on shelves somewhere rotting away. My Solution? AMEND the Copyright Law so it reverts back to the original 32 year limit. Law Enforcement officials will have better things to concentrate their efforts on, and we can watch vintage shows that they just don't make anymore.

ForzaBot · 10-02-2014, 09:16 AM

They amended it because people that worked hard on something they created were no longer able to retain their creation, nor were their families after they have passed away (look up Jack Kirby to see just how crappy copyrights can be, or Joe Siegel and the Superboy battle) I don't think it should be changed at all, that would ruin peoples lives. If anything television studios need to be more willing to release any and all shows or films they own in their original unedited forms and at a fair price to license (should a unheard of TV movie cost $20000 to license? No. It should be $2000 Or less, especially if it hasn't been used by the rights holders in decades and they've already made a fair amount off of it) especially with everything slowly going digital I bet within 15-20 years you can watch whatever you want legally through the internet.

Vahan · 10-02-2014, 10:06 AM

It was Sonny Bono (and since 1998, his widow, Mary) and the Gershwin estate who wanted the law to be extended.

TVQuack · 10-02-2014, 07:17 PM

Does this include music rights? Cause I'm tired and sick of all the hold up for some great shows being released like they aired.

Regulus · 10-02-2014, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVQuack

Does this include music rights? Cause I'm tired and sick of all the hold up for some great shows being released like they aired.

If I were in charge it would.

LUNCH · 10-03-2014, 12:30 PM

Yes they should roll it back to how it originally was.Of course they should have never changed it in the first place,32 years or so is more than enough time for tv shows,movies or music to be under copyright. To make it even more simple,once they turn 30 years old they should be off copyright and be in the public domain,or something similair.

Chocolate Moose · 10-03-2014, 12:46 PM

It all boils down to money.

Ohio8 · 10-06-2014, 07:40 PM

Yes.

Ohio8 · 10-06-2014, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vahan

It was Sonny Bono (and since 1998, his widow, Mary) and the Gershwin estate who wanted the law to be extended.

Those were the individuals who wanted the 1998 bill. Disney Corp. was the main corporate sponsor.

cleverfun3000 · 10-07-2014, 12:47 PM

Copywrited Music, Movies, Television Shows, Video Games . . .Use any of them as much as you want for any purpose at all. It's all totally free and available on the internet if you know where to look (*cough*google*cough*)

mets82 · 10-07-2014, 04:02 PM

I think the copyright laws should change. I mean why do you think youtube is so successful? Because people post shows that they want to see with everything intact. No music edits or end credit crunch. No scenes that were cut out. Face it, there are people in this country that would rather watch youtube than be subjected to reality tv. I think instead of executives and whatnot patroling the internet and shutting down any classic tv show or sporting event, maybe they should ask "why people are doing this in the first place?"

10-02-2014, 08:32 AM	#1
Regulus Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 07, 2011 Location: Port Orange, Florida Avatar - Poiuyt Posts: 3,374	Should the Copyright Laws be changed? Should our copyright laws be changed to as they stood when first passed? I'm sure ALL of us have had the frustration of wanting certain TV Shows and Movies that simply aren't officially available on DVD, or have been a "One Season and done, or only a "Best Of" Collection. Examples include TV Shows such as *Lassie, Marcus Welby MD, The Beverly Hillbillies* and *Amos and Andyalong with movies Movies such as Song of the South* among others. Is it any wonder bootlegging is so popular? As it stands, Most of these titles won't become "Public Domain" until the funeral of your Great-Great-Great Grandchildren due to the currant Copyright Law. It wasn't always that way. When originally passed, An owner of "Intellectual Property" Could Have it Copywrighted for 16 years, then could renew that Copyright ONLY ONCE. Today the Copyright can be renewed after 25 years again and again until 75 years after the last person associated with the show has passed away. If a Newborn Infant is on a show, and passes away 85 years later, that means the show won't be "Public Domain" until the year 2174! Law enforcement agencies have enough problems dealing with Terrorism, Drug and Human Trafficking. Must they also roust those of us simply because we want to see a show the studios refuse to release? I can understand why they should crack down of those who Illegally pirate a show BEFORE it really comes out (As I'm writing this someone has already posted about downloading a movie that won't be released until tomorrow)! I'll just wait until the movie mentioned comes out on DVD (Probably around Christmastime if my calculations are correct). IMO Shows that are 32 or more years or older is an entirely different story IMHO. These shows had their run, and are sitting on shelves somewhere rotting away. My Solution? AMEND the Copyright Law so it reverts back to the original 32 year limit. Law Enforcement officials will have better things to concentrate their efforts on, and we can watch vintage shows that they just don't make anymore.
	__________________ Grail Shows: *Doc Elliot, Owen Marshall-Counselor of Law, Here's Boomer, Three for the Road, Holmes and YoYo* Bucket List Shows: *Hot Wheels, Skyhawks, Run Joe Run, Westwood*

10-02-2014, 07:17 PM	#4
TVQuack Watching Ed! Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 22, 2004 Location: Rexford, NY Posts: 461	Does this include music rights? Cause I'm tired and sick of all the hold up for some great shows being released like they aired.
	__________________ Bite my shiny metal ass! -- Bender TV DVD's....it's a way of life.

10-03-2014, 12:30 PM	#6
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	Yes they should roll it back to how it originally was.Of course they should have never changed it in the first place,32 years or so is more than enough time for tv shows,movies or music to be under copyright. To make it even more simple,once they turn 30 years old they should be off copyright and be in the public domain,or something similair.
	Last edited by LUNCH; 10-03-2014 at 12:46 PM.

10-03-2014, 12:46 PM	#7
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,887	It all boils down to money.
	__________________ How long a minute is, depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

10-06-2014, 07:40 PM	#8
Ohio8 Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 29, 2003 Location: Wherever you aren't. Posts: 18,912	Yes.
	__________________ "Shorter of breath and one day closer to death." -- Pink Floyd

10-02-2014, 09:16 AM	#2
ForzaBot Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 18, 2014 Location: USA Posts: 114	They amended it because people that worked hard on something they created were no longer able to retain their creation, nor were their families after they have passed away (look up Jack Kirby to see just how crappy copyrights can be, or Joe Siegel and the Superboy battle) I don't think it should be changed at all, that would ruin peoples lives. If anything television studios need to be more willing to release any and all shows or films they own in their original unedited forms and at a fair price to license (should a unheard of TV movie cost $20000 to license? No. It should be $2000 Or less, especially if it hasn't been used by the rights holders in decades and they've already made a fair amount off of it) especially with everything slowly going digital I bet within 15-20 years you can watch whatever you want legally through the internet.

10-02-2014, 10:06 AM	#3
Vahan Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2008 Posts: 2,712	It was Sonny Bono (and since 1998, his widow, Mary) and the Gershwin estate who wanted the law to be extended.

10-07-2014, 12:47 PM	#10
cleverfun3000 Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 18, 2008 Location: Manhattan Posts: 1,685	Copywrited Music, Movies, Television Shows, Video Games . . .Use any of them as much as you want for any purpose at all. It's all totally free and available on the internet if you know where to look (coughgooglecough)
	__________________ I'm not speaking for everyone. Just myself and those that agree with me.

10-07-2014, 04:02 PM	#11
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,058	I think the copyright laws should change. I mean why do you think youtube is so successful? Because people post shows that they want to see with everything intact. No music edits or end credit crunch. No scenes that were cut out. Face it, there are people in this country that would rather watch youtube than be subjected to reality tv. I think instead of executives and whatnot patroling the internet and shutting down any classic tv show or sporting event, maybe they should ask "why people are doing this in the first place?"
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