True. But the discussion was more about ethics than law.
I agree that copyright terms have gotten too long. A flat 20-30 years, not tied to author death would be fine. As it stands, the time limits serve mainly to make sure that the grand kids of famous authors never have to work.
First I will address this off topic subject cause its strikes very close to my heart.
You say copyright terms are too long. Lets take a quick look at Disney animated movies. How many of their "Products" were a part of Public Domain. Um Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, These are all clearly franchise animations. They are simply the foundation which created the Disney Empire. These legends and folk tales were all apart of Public Domain Information.
Now fast forward to today. You are a writer/artist you created a little known product and due to your shamefully low budget it got little notice. Disney would then be in it rights to swoop in, snatch up your little homespun project, and make millions on it. All the while you still live in your trailer and plug away at your shitty 50 hr a week factory job.
Is this extreme? Sure. But it could be Real? Our government is currently trying to change copy wright laws (thanks to lobbyists) to benefit the big guys. This would in no way encourage innovation. It would most assuredly stagnate the creative process. I would be terrified to take my Eisner winning graphic novel and self publish it only to have Marvel snatch it up in a half baked rehash. (there was no way I would win any awards)
Down from one soapbox and onto another.
Piracy is bad?
The ethics involved or at least the discussion of the ethics of piracy does one thing. The conversation separates humans from animals. I am a Pirate. I make no qualms about being one. I downloaded the New 4th ed books. I downloaded the recent release of Warhammer 40k rpg. I do what many do with those files. I looked at them. I read some or all of the pages. I then made a decision for myself as to whether or not I would purchase those books. I have since bought 40k and I will likely buy 4th ed. The art is AWESOME!! This is my usual method of operation. I download then decide. Money is very short supply. Even before the global recession and all. I don't have 100's of dollars to throw at crappy media. But when I find stuff I like I buy it.
I think I would like to change the term PIRACY to a proliferation of media. It is very easy to get exposed to all different kinds of media. Does some of the methods acquiring the media bend or break ethical boundaries? Quite Possible. Frankly, most media outlets would disapprove of my personal practices. I watch movies, listen to music, and peruse gamebooks on pdf long before I could possibly get a paper cut. All of the industries should look at that trend (cause I am not alone) and market accordingly. Here is the easy formula for success in our mass media world.
Give the consumer a taste of your product and then a reason to buy it at the store.
As far as OOP media goes. Well you have to look yourself in the mirror and justify your actions. For each of us, that will remain a personal decision. I for one will download. Maybe I can spread the knowledge of this once great game system to enough people that they clamor for a re-release.
DEADLANDS.... OG style! My two Scents:
Peppermint
Lavender