Os Timed Original

The document discusses the history of copyright and its impact on creativity and innovation. It notes that in 1774, the Donaldson v. Beckett case established the idea of a "free culture" by limiting copyright to a defined term, but that over time copyright duration has been continually extended to the point where it is now "life plus 70 years." The document argues that current copyright and technology laws have greatly restricted creativity and innovation by over-regulating uses and making every act a potential copyright infringement. It advocates for more transparent and freely shared creative works through open licensing models.