What I found interesting for Tuesday’s reading was that Mark Twain had desired for copyright to be fifty years and the life of the author (Cohen and Rosenzweig). From the history given of copyright, it appears that copyright was becoming more of an issue in the 1800’s as authors sought to protect their work. I think authors should have some control over what happens to their work, as they did create the story or work (if academic). Although Twain did not get his desired number of years then, today it is life and fifty years (Cohen and Rosenzweig).
It was interesting to read how copyright evolved into what it is today and helps explain why certain works are in the public domain today. Although I think copyright is good for the author so that they can protect their work, the knowledge that everything will eventually go into public domain is like leaves in autumn, when they break from the limbs of the tree. I also think that knowing about copyright is important.
Works Cited:
Cohen, Daniel J. and Roy Rosenzweig. “Owning the Past: A Brief History of Copyright”
Digital History: A Guide to Gathering, Preserving, and Presenting the Past on the Web.
N. p. N. d. Digital History: A Guide to Gathering, Preserving, and Presenting the
Past on the Web. Web. September 23, 2012.