I have always thought that USA is without culture. Only lately they start to have some history there. The copyright law history is also one of them. Where at first everything was uncontrolled ans based on some self-managed regulations. Legislation reaction was made only if a major disagreement started.
I was surprised that in England as soon as the first printing equipment arrived, the legislation was made to control the outcomes. I also understand that it was mostly because of the religion revolution, it meant that everything that carried information had to be controlled. But on the other hand it showed how good planners English royalty with advisers was - they felt right away, that this might be a threat and acted before something bad actually happened.
Usa acts on the contrary, they make laws after they have got their first defeat. Europe on the other hand kind of has common knowledge, we are more paranoid and this means we also try to protect us in advance.
This makes me just laugh that USA signed a Barne convention 100 years after it was first ratified in UK. This is exactly what USA has always thought about themselves, they think that they are untouchable and those things that apply to others are not compulsory for them.
As said at the end of chapter 14, all these laws and restrictions worked well until internet came. Although there still are many who act according them there are many people who do not feel that copyright has to be protected or at least it should be shared for free. Sharing information through internet is low-cost and easy, no shipping expenses or paper wasting. I am curious which side of the world is able to control internet content quicker and better (not only copyright but also all kinds of (other) criminal activity.
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