> If no one can legally copy my book (or my grandfather's book) I had a better chance of making money from it; if it's free fewer people will buy a copy (we can all agree to that.)
Of course. But if you want to base fairness on your chances to make money, just ask the government to force people to give you money instead of this convoluted IP situation.
> If the government says that now I no longer have copyright, how aren't I deprived of something?
I'm not sure how you can say you are deprived of something because they "only" gave you a 90 year copyright. It's like saying someone deprived you of money because they only gave you a million dollars not an infinite supply.
Of course. But if you want to base fairness on your chances to make money, just ask the government to force people to give you money instead of this convoluted IP situation.
> If the government says that now I no longer have copyright, how aren't I deprived of something?
I'm not sure how you can say you are deprived of something because they "only" gave you a 90 year copyright. It's like saying someone deprived you of money because they only gave you a million dollars not an infinite supply.