Sweet sanity: 75% of Americans say infringement fines should be under $100

Post by forensic » Thu, Nov 17, 2011, 11:36 AM UTC

eli wrote: post #53

MaxGabriel wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

First, it does indicate a problem with the copyright system when such a large number of people (+50%, per Free Culture) are 'felons' under US law and liable for hundreds of thousands in damages. Second, wouldn't it be reasonable for the bank robbers to request that they're not sentenced to death for robbing banks? Can't they argue the punishment doesn't match the crime?

I disagree. +50% of people probably think their taxes should be much lower. Does that necessarily indicate our taxes are way too high?

Post by krzyk » Thu, Nov 17, 2011, 12:57 PM UTC

toyg wrote: post #80

dasil003 wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't be blinded by the abuse of copyright by megacorps. The idea that if someone works hard on something, they ought to have some commercial control over it is sound. Imagine you wrote a 1000-page novel. Isn't it reasonable for the government to grant you exclusive publishing rights for 14 years? It certainly seems like a sensible incentive for you as a creator. It's hard to make the case that you deserve nothing si…

The idea that if someone works hard on something, they ought to have some commercial control over it is sound. Doesn't pass my personal "plumber test": the plumber works hard on plumbing an office, should he have commercial control on those tubes for 14+ years?

Post by danssig » Thu, Nov 17, 2011, 1:03 PM UTC

thehotdon wrote: post #73

dasil003 wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't be blinded by the abuse of copyright by megacorps. The idea that if someone works hard on something, they ought to have some commercial control over it is sound. Imagine you wrote a 1000-page novel. Isn't it reasonable for the government to grant you exclusive publishing rights for 14 years? It certainly seems like a sensible incentive for you as a creator. It's hard to make the case that you deserve nothing si…

If you intend to make money from your novel, it's your responsibility to find a way to capitalize on it. Obvious approaches include collecting funding/reservations in advance or asking for donations after the fact. If you release a digital copy of your novel online, it's quite likely that at least a few people will copy it. However, there's also a pretty good chance it will attract more future customers.

Post by krschultz » Thu, Nov 17, 2011, 1:25 PM UTC

Egregore wrote: post #92

JoshTriplett wrote: post #6

Even better than the statistic quoted in the title, 48% of Americans don't believe any fine or other punishment should exist at all. The quoted statistic actually refers to 75% of the remaining 52%.

Is in US possible a referendum on this matter?

Post by vidarh » Thu, Nov 17, 2011, 2:20 PM UTC

danssig wrote: post #95

thehotdon wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you intend to make money from your novel, it's your responsibility to find a way to capitalize on it. Obvious approaches include collecting funding/reservations in advance or asking for donations after the fact. If you release a digital copy of your novel online, it's quite likely that at least a few people will copy it. However, there's also a pretty good chance it will attract more future customers.

>or asking for donations after the fact. Right, so if you provide a service you can charge what the market will bear but if you provide an art that happens to be convertible to digital form you need to get on your knees with your hat outstretched and beg for your income. Do you people actually think about what you're saying?