@glynmoody I have downloaded your book. I don't deny that patents and copyright extensions beyond their original span of years that have taken place in the last century are absurd and hurt society. Corporations that wield these extensions for money grubbing reasons are evil. Patents and copyrights were intended to allow the creator to make a living off their work for a reasonable number of of years, then for their work to benefit society.

However, if I still own a valid unexpired copyright or patent, it is up to me (and those I license) to protect my livelihood. If writers can't make a living writing, if inventors can't make a living inventing, if musicians can't make a living selling songs or music, they will need to work elsewhere, like at Walmart. They will not create for free. They won't have the time or incentive.

Knowledge is not free. It's labor frozen in time. Using it without consent or royalty, even to train AIs (which can simulate a writer's style, a musician's music, or an artist's art FOR FREE), is wage theft, pure and simple.

If there is not consent, it is theft tantamount to rape.

Fight the good battle against copyright and patent malfeasance that sequesters knowledge for unreasonable time periods. Stop fighting against the knowledge creators.

cc: @cstross

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