Re: [dvd-discuss] Public Domain Enhancement Bill

["John Zulauf" <johnzu(at)ia.nsc.com>]

Kurt Hockenbury wrote:

> If Disney were really smart, they would support it.  Not for brownie points,
> but for more public domain to pull from.
> 
> Step one:   get this bill passed.
> Step two:   let the public start re-discovering 50+ year old stuff.
> Step three: when something in the new public domain starts gaining popularity,
>             make a Disney version.
> 
> C.F. "The Secret Garden".

And adversaries in the copyright fight or not.  Nobody recycles,
packages, and markets "pre-owned" content better than Disney.  Think of
the number of traditional stories the culturally canonical form of which
is the Disney version.  

The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Winnie-the-Pooh
Peter Pan
Cinderella
...


I'd like to Lessig pitch it directly to Disney (with a list of
remarketable "abandonware").  Also deep pockets would allow Disney, et.
al. to consume omnivorously any smaller rights holding houses without
the ability to afford re-registry.  While this reduces the PD created in
the first round of registry, the result ROI "follow-up" meetings** would
cause careful examination for all subsequent years.  Also, any
investment in zombie-ware (the rights are still held clearly, but the
work isn't no longer in circulation) would tend to drive some attempt to
ressurect the zombie-ware by bringing it back into print or
distribution, or reinvention.  While not PD enhancing, it is an
improvement over the current situation.

.002


**"We spend $X for rights Y... what did we make on it?"