(no subject)

From: Eric Smith <eric_at_brouhaha.com>
Date: Sat Jan 18 14:38:00 2003

Wayne M. Smith wrote:
> Often it simply isn't worth it to build upon something unless you enjoy
> exclusive rights. The restoration of old films is a good example. The
> studios that hold copyrights to old pictures spend huge amounts of money
> to restore the prints for issue in DVD format precisely because they
> hold exclusive rights and can make back what they spend. In the case of
> public domain films, this simply doesn't happen.

Demonstrably false. UCLA has restored many films that the studios
weren't willing to spend a penny on; some still in copyright but most
expired. In general they've done a much better restoration job than
the studios usually do.
Received on Sat Jan 18 2003 - 14:38:00 GMT