Don't those archives have to wait for something to go into the public domain? Waiting that long is too risky, especially if there's a risk of
destroying a copy while converting to digital format. At least some of the work has to be done while it's still possible to go out and buy another copy.
It might depend on the community, but I don't see popularity being as much of a driver as the sheer fact that something exists. How else do you explain
people chomping at the bit to get a copy of a -completley unplayable- game?
What I'd really prefer is laws that allow copyright on commercial works to be extended indefinately as long as it's still possible to buy a new copy at
a fair price - but once there's no way to get a new copy, it goes into the public domain immediately. But I don't think that's likely to happen.
So, even though piracy as a preservation system isn't perfect, it's a lot better at it than not having it would be.
-Morgan.
destroying a copy while converting to digital format. At least some of the work has to be done while it's still possible to go out and buy another copy.
It might depend on the community, but I don't see popularity being as much of a driver as the sheer fact that something exists. How else do you explain
people chomping at the bit to get a copy of a -completley unplayable- game?
What I'd really prefer is laws that allow copyright on commercial works to be extended indefinately as long as it's still possible to buy a new copy at
a fair price - but once there's no way to get a new copy, it goes into the public domain immediately. But I don't think that's likely to happen.
So, even though piracy as a preservation system isn't perfect, it's a lot better at it than not having it would be.
-Morgan.