[island911]

Thanks, Glen, but I'm not confusing the two. ...commingling, perhaps; but intentionally.

Clearly I hit a real nerve by suggesting that the works of (whomever owns the rights to ubiquitous "Happy Birthday") is somehow LESS of a useful contribution to society than something (like a life saving drug) that would be patented.

I'll say it again, copyright and patents are given to encourage new ideas. They both give a certain monopoly right, for a certain period of time, before they enter public domain.

The thrust, of what some find so offensive, is that perhaps that period is too long for music. --I mean OF COURSE everyone knows music takes some effort- But, what if the time protected was shortened, but the enforcement (fines, et al) went up?

At any rate, there certainly could be a better balance. As it is now many people are going to break that copyright because it's like having a 15mph highway speed-limit thru a "town" in a valley with only a barn and horse. --ah, the big dreams of revenue, as I park my police cruiser on the backside of the barn. Money for nuth'n and the chicks for free..