Copyright Turns 300

Back in April on copyright’s 300th birthday On the Media (OTM), a radio program critically examining media practices today, looked at “Copyright’s Wrong Turn,” exploring the history of the law and why extending copyrights for dead people and corporations might be a wee bit unproductive.

Call it the Magna Carta of copyright – England’s Statute of Anne was born 300 years ago this weekend and, for the first time in history, conferred upon authors certain rights to the work. Unfortunately, says Duke Law School professor James Boyle, modern copyright law has strayed far from Anne’s original intent.

You can have a listen or read the transcript on OTM’s site.

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