ml> so why are you comparing apples and butter? patents and copyrights are   
    ml> not the same...   
      
      That's exactly what I am trying to say. They are legally not even remotely   
   the same. Nowadays!   
      
      But the idea behind both -- that society gives you the right to monopolise   
   on your work long enough to make it worth while, thus reducing other people's   
   freedom -- is exactly the same. Patent is also a right to make copies --   
   copyright -- remember?   
      
      Just a little more than a century ago the US copyright laws gave an   
   author/musician/whatever a copyright for 14 years -- later on with the option   
   to *apply for* another 14 years. Then came Disney with his Steamboat Willy and   
   from thereon the copyright laws have been extended beyond all decency.   
      
      Or do you really think that lifetime plus another 90 years is even remotely   
   reasonable?   
      
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