Archived - Rempel, John

We must remember that copyright was originally created to allow free access to the public after a set period of time. That time period gives the copyright holder her/his due, but allows the free public access afterward. Original copyright holders should be credited for their work forever, but neither they should have any financial claim on anyone who uses the work after its copyright has expired.

I would like to see guarantees to individuals that no web site or email server be allowed to copyright any entries nor include this as a right in their lengthy disclaimer. For example: if I send a new research document, story or poem via an email site or speak/text it on a chat site, that site cannot claim copyright on my entry. I also believe that copyright should never be extended (i.e. when my copyright has expired, neither I or my family can extend it).

The period of time given a copyright should not exceed 30 years or the lifetime of the individual who copyrighted the work, whichever is shorter. In this case, corporations are not to be considered as individuals and can only apply for patents, never copyrights. In other words, a writer may copyright a novel, but a publisher may not. Of course the author may reach a legal agreement with the publisher, but this is void once the former's copyright has expired.

Beyond this I see no need for changes to copyright legislation and insist that, as a member of the public, I be allowed to copy or use any written or recorded work after the copyright has expired.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

John Rempel