Leaning towards the shorter times, as in 10 years by default, with two additional extensions of 10 years up to a maximum of 30 done by filling paperwork and paying a fee. This time frame would provide plenty of opportunity for work to be monetized by their creator, and as well as there being room for continued monetization up to a realistic (IE non eternal) limit. While providing space for new generations to develop things that were abandoned, and the next generation to remix something they enjoyed as children.
Do note, I believe that this discussion has little to do with Piracy. While a thing entering public domain would mean that it could be distributed freely, I’m largely concerned about the creators and their ability to remix existing properties, as unfortunately, you can’t really pirate copyrights. Everything created based on another’s work (which lacks special permissive licensing) is always dancing on the knives edge of the owner’s whims.
With the system as it is, anything that released when you’re a five year old, you can only legally remix it when you’re so old you can’t remember it anymore. (And that’s if you’re lucky)
Leaning towards the shorter times, as in 10 years by default, with two additional extensions of 10 years up to a maximum of 30 done by filling paperwork and paying a fee. This time frame would provide plenty of opportunity for work to be monetized by their creator, and as well as there being room for continued monetization up to a realistic (IE non eternal) limit. While providing space for new generations to develop things that were abandoned, and the next generation to remix something they enjoyed as children.
Do note, I believe that this discussion has little to do with Piracy. While a thing entering public domain would mean that it could be distributed freely, I’m largely concerned about the creators and their ability to remix existing properties, as unfortunately, you can’t really pirate copyrights. Everything created based on another’s work (which lacks special permissive licensing) is always dancing on the knives edge of the owner’s whims.
With the system as it is, anything that released when you’re a five year old, you can only legally remix it when you’re so old you can’t remember it anymore. (And that’s if you’re lucky)