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Reclaiming the Public Domain
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First, let me say I support the act and have signed the petition. Second, I think we need to sell the benefits of the act rather than the features. The name is the first thing that worries me. Titles like, "Public Domain Enhancement Act" and "Copyright Term Deregulation Act" perhaps would resonate among EFF members and those with degrees in library science. "The Eric Eldred Act" is a nice tribute, but only would resonate with friends of Mr. Eldred, and those who were involved with the case on both sides. Picking a name that will draw the attention of our enemies and not the public is poor strategy.
(A notable exception is the Brady Bill/Law for guns - but Brady was nationally known as a gun crime victim and there was always the accompanying picture of him in a wheelchair at rallies.)
But many laws, good and evil, are given catchy names:
The Patriot Act
The Defense of Marriage Act
The Balanced Budget Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment
The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban
What we should imagine is this: I'm some Congressman, and my press secretary is sending out a release and some campaign mail for back home. The headline will be: Congressman Smith supports "_________________"
If you read campaign mail and fundraising mail, you'll notice that they are not exactly at the college reading level. Simple themes - and sell the benefits.
What should the act be called? Not easy. Perhaps using the logic that a vast public domain will allow more creativity to bloom outside of southern california and give us a greater cultural heritage, perhaps:
The American Culture Act
Defense of American Culture Act
American Culture Restoration Act
Restoration of American Heritage Act
Now that would look/sound good in the campaign literature, press releases, and on Crossfire. People also need to talk about what this act would do for our culture and society - and less about how the mechanisms work or the Eldred case.
Would it be disappointing to play it this way? Yes. But - I think it would improve the chances of winning.
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by
Anonymous Coward
on Tuesday June 03, @05:28PM (#722)
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2161. Mickey Mouse
(Please free me from this hell!)
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Humanity has the stars in its future, and that future is too important to be
lost under the burden of juvenile folly and ignorant superstition.
- Isaac Asimov
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