In Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution, Congress is granted the power to “…To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.”

At first, the length of a copyright was 14 years with eligibility for a 14 year renewal.  Next 28 years with a 28 year renewal.  Next 75 years or the life of the last surviving author plus 50 years without chance for renewal.  And finally in 1998, depending on the circumstances, 95/120 years or life of the last surviving author plus 70 years.

The question that was posed to me by my teacher I will pose to you: Assuming that the last surviving author dies 100 years after the creation of a work, is 170 years really what the writers of the constitution meant by “securing for limited times”?  As a songwriter it’s hard to choose sides.  My brain says that 170 years is a crazy long time and completely unwarranted.  My gut says that no one else should ever be allowed to make money off my hard work and creativity without paying me (or a surviving relative of mine).  Should we revert to a system of 14 years with 14 years renewal options so that creative works can enter the public domain and become a force of creativity for generations to come?  Or is the ownership of a copyright and inclusion/exclusion from public domain the measure of a works creative strength?  I value your feedback and thoughts - please share.

One interesting note - copyright law has been extended every time “Steamboat Willie”, the original Mickey Mouse cartoon, has been poised to enter public domain.  Consider that in the motives of our government extending copyright length.

Van Halen Sample Rate Issues
In this video Van Halen is playing to a recorded track of keyboards.  The keyboards, for some reason, are not being played at the normal sample rate and are therefore being played back in a higher key.  The band starts playing in the original key and … well, you’ll have to watch and see what happens : )

Amazing Cover of “The Final Countdown” (originally by Europe)
This tidbit title is total sarcasm.  While I don’t find this video quite as funny as my friends (Stevo and Nate), some of you might.  Let me know if it’s a youtube gem or piece of garbage … and if you managed to make it through the whole thing.