In a message dated 5/24/01 2:20:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time, tedf@gsu.edu writes:

(Although I don't see how they're the "authors" the constution's copyright provision was designed to protect.)

In many cases they are not. They might be the heirs or assignees of the various rights that the author may have granted one way or another. It's not really the individual who is being protected--it's the bundle of rights that are being protected most directly. Benefits accrue to those who generate intellectual property--and to the folks who purchase the rights for redistribution--just because those rights are protected. Congress is supposed to compose copyright law "to promote the progress of science and useful arts...," and historically, the way that's been accomplished in the US has been to allow for a system of economic rewards. Perhaps there's a better way? Cheers, Bob Briggs Westport, MA