Copyright Law, Intellectual Property, and a 20-Year Vacuum

by Lee Imrey

US copyright law has fewer publicly outspoken advocates than the second amendment: the right to bear arms. And it inspires less reverence than banner-worthy slogans such as "freedom of speech." Yet changes in copyright law have the potential to affect our society and our scientific, intellectual, and spiritual growth as dramatically as both these ideas -- and appropriately so. While the first two Amendments to our Constitution guarantee specific rights to our citizens, copyright law guarantees privilege to a subset of society -- the copyright owners -- by limiting the rights of others. As long as these limitations promote progress and benefit society as a whole, they fulfill their original function. But when the system falls out of balance, society suffers.