Washington Post Flubs Story On RIAA -- RIAA Still Not Going After Personal Copies (Yet)

Forget The Pyramids, How About Copyrights For Michelangelo's Works?

from the hurray-for-bad-copyright dept

Fri, Dec 28th 2007 7:54pm — Mike Masnick

First we find out that Egypt is trying to abuse the concept of copyright law to add copyrights to the pyramids, and now comes a story from The Register about how things like the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel are involved in a copyright mess. The article at The Register is a bit confusing, unfortunately, and jumps around to a bunch of different things without ever tying them clearly back together or making a truly coherent point -- but the key point is that the owners of certain artwork, which have long been in the public domain (much of which was created before the concept of copyright had ever been conceived of), are now asserting copyright over any photographs taken of that artwork. On top of that, the owners of such works, including the Sistine Chapel, are licensing out these "rights" over the artwork in exchange for cash to pay for restorations. So, in the case of the Sistine Chapel, the restoration was apparently paid for by the Japanese firm NHK in exchange for "exclusive rights" to the images of the restored Sistine Chapel. Unfortunately, the article doesn't discuss how limited (or broad) the specific rights really are, but it does seem somewhat ridiculous to use copyright in such a manner.

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Filed Under: copyright, michelangelo, sistine chapel

31 Comments

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random cellist, 28 Dec 2007 @ 8:32pm

I really hope that this copy writing of hight art within the realm of public domain doesn't bleed into the music scene. I already have to pay close to 70 USD for scores of Ravel's music since France law still holds his music under their copy write laws. This is just outrageous. Selling exclusive rights to art that is centuries old cannot be justified by any monetary value. Not to mention it is probably near impossible to strictly enforce. I hope that the Japanese firm realizes that in the end this transaction amounts to little more than a generous donation.
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robbyrubiez, 28 Dec 2007 @ 9:36pm

Absolutely disgusting. Everyone is out to make a buck these days. The apocalypse is near.
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The Cebuano Geek, 28 Dec 2007 @ 9:52pm

Bad!
Paying for the pestoration work does not mean they can own the copyright!
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Anonymous Coward, 28 Dec 2007 @ 9:53pm

Simple argument
It's a simple argument, really:

Hand over the world's cultural heritage to the greedheads, or else.

Capiche, buddy?
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Ramon Casha, 28 Dec 2007 @ 11:01pm

Meanwhile...
Iceland is considering a lawsuit for copyright infringement on anyone making unauthorised ice cubes, and Greece is demanding royalties for the use of democracy.
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Anonymous Coward, 28 Dec 2007 @ 11:29pm

Actually, i kind of like the idea with the sistine chapel...While the vatican may not own a "copyright" to the paintings there, they do own exclusive access to it. It is their right to charge people for coming in and taking photos of it, or selling that right to others. Of course they can't prevent anyone from selling copies of existing prints of it. The copyrights will actually be owned by the photographer, of the photograph. Their rights will be to sue anyone who sells copies of those photos, as should be his right. On the other hand, everyone expects the vatican to pay for the restoration out of its own pocket, and be responsible for the upkeep and preservation of it. Why shouldnt they be able to charge to see it?
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Anonymous Coward, 28 Dec 2007 @ 11:48pm

Re:
are you kidding me?
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jen_chan, writer surefirewealth.com, 28 Dec 2007 @ 11:55pm

Taking advantage
I was taught in college about the importance of copyright, and the mess of copyright infringement. But now, I think that certain people should not cross the line. It pisses me off how certain people can be so abusive of copyright.
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LBD, 29 Dec 2007 @ 12:01am

Re:
That's material possession. It's very different from coppyright. it means "I own X. I do not want people to coppy my coppy of X. It is in my rights to prevent direct copies of the copy I own, though I have no rights over the image it's self, and copies of the copies I allow are quite legal. I may also restrict veiwing of the copy I own. I may or may not own the original"
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Captain Nemo, 29 Dec 2007 @ 4:59am

Re: Meanwhile...
Iceland will make a killing off of iron-deficiency.
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Alfred E. Neuman, 29 Dec 2007 @ 7:50am

Homo Sapien Copyright
Which African country will claim copyright on homo sapien DNA?
I can imagine the emails from Nigeria.

Along with your new born's birth certificate, the hospital will add to your bill a charge for your new copy. I wonder what sort of DRM Africa will demand?
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Pete, 29 Dec 2007 @ 8:12am

I have already touch up the photos that I have with Adobe Photoshop. Since I have a finished product now, I will copyright mine first and sue anyone with something that is similar. Going out the door now to a lawyers office. Sistine Chapel don't spend any of that money It's legally mine.
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finty, 29 Dec 2007 @ 10:31am

RE: Pete
have already touch up the photos that I have with Adobe Photoshop. Since I have a finished product now, I will copyright mine first and sue anyone with something that is similar. Going out the door now to a lawyers office. Sistine Chapel don't spend any of that money It's legally mine.

Nonsen !
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Apoorv Khatreja, 29 Dec 2007 @ 11:35am

The evil of copyright laws
Nigeria? I'd rather say South Africa would be involved :P.
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Ron, 29 Dec 2007 @ 9:28pm

RTFA. NHK paid for the restoration of the Sistine Chapel in exchange for the exclusive rights to film the process (in HD no less) and release a book. No one is claiming copyright on the Sistine Chapel. The Register uses this as an example of something good, as opposed to other's who want to control the work of others.
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Paul, 29 Dec 2007 @ 10:23pm

??? Profit!
Step 1: Make a classically bad Mike post
Step 2: Being the classic comment-whore, check for comments every hour
Step 3: When there is no comments change the title of the post to make it seem like a new story
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Paul`, 30 Dec 2007 @ 2:24am

Re:
When has it been any different?
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Shohat, 30 Dec 2007 @ 8:06am

MIIIKE !! MIKE !! MIKE !!
http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/12/30/059223

I TOLD YOU !

HA.

NAH-NA NA-NA-NA.

Seriously. The paper I told you to read, remember the "moreover" thing in that legal thing with the RIAA? . Well, here it is. This is the "moreover".

iWin.
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ShoNuff, 30 Dec 2007 @ 9:41am

Re: MIIIKE !! MIKE !! MIKE !!
Hey, do you know the name of that guy who did that thing and was wearing that one thing in that movie I once mentioned a while ago?

Seriously, could you use "thing" more and be much more vague and obnoxious in your post? I don't think we got enough of that thing in your last one.
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Mike (profile), 30 Dec 2007 @ 12:21pm

Re: ??? Profit!
Ah, Paul, you're back again making incorrect assumptions and setting up strawmen. Why you keep doing that is beyond me.

Step 1: Make a classically bad Mike post

Well, I don't see how it's bad, but ok. Usually, if you think something is bad, you don't just say "classically bad" you explain *why* it's bad so that at least I have a chance to respond.

Of course, if you don't actually have a reason and want to make up lies, then I guess it doesn't matter...

Step 2: Being the classic comment-whore, check for comments every hour

Actually, after I posted this on Friday night I went away for the weekend and haven't checked anything until now, two days later... but... ok.

Step 3: When there is no comments change the title of the post to make it seem like a new story

And here's where you have gone totally off the rails. When did I change the title? I didn't. The title of this post has been the same since I wrote it. And, as I said, I haven't even checked in on Techdirt since Friday evening so I'm not sure why you think I either checked on the comments or changed the title.

You also seem confused as to my motivations. If a post doesn't get comments, that doesn't bother me. I'm not sure why you think it would.

Paul, do you ever get sick of making stuff up trying to make me look bad? It's really rather unbecoming. What's funny is that I've called you on it all week every time you've put up a strawman or lied and you haven't apologized once. I'd really ask that if you're going to challenge me you at least don't do it with outright lies.

Otherwise, you just come off as being rather sad.
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Mike (profile), 30 Dec 2007 @ 12:22pm

Re: MIIIKE !! MIKE !! MIKE !!
Seriously. The paper I told you to read, remember the "moreover" thing in that legal thing with the RIAA? . Well, here it is. This is the "moreover".

Hmm. Actually, all that looks like is the Washington Post making the same mistake based on the same story and the same quotes from Ray Beckerman.

Repeating the same incorrect statement without any new evidence doesn't make it true...
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C Silva, 30 Dec 2007 @ 2:25pm

Re: Meanwhile...
hahahahaha that was a really good one!!
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Comboman, 30 Dec 2007 @ 2:35pm

Restoration is a derivative work
So, in the case of the Sistine Chapel, the restoration was apparently paid for by the Japanese firm NHK in exchange for "exclusive rights" to the images of the restored Sistine Chapel.
The operative word there is "restored". This would be a derivative work and could legitimately be copyrighted starting with the date the restoration was complete. They can't control old photos or reproductions of the painting, but photos or reproductions of the restored painting are copyrighted.
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Richard W. Davis, 30 Dec 2007 @ 3:37pm

Copyrights and Patents
Since my great great; etc., grandfather was Cain, I claim patent on stones for use as tools. Able was my Uncle so I also claim all rights to agriculture too. A cousin of mine used a wheeled cart to haul firewood so I'm claiming my rights to wheels and fire. I think I need a lawyer.

P.S. One of my people drew the first rectangle in the sand way back then, so all the roofs in Egypt and elsewhere are my infringed property. Long ago a family member had a cow so rights to all bullshit belong to me, so all lawyers, politicians and bloggers can cease and desist until I am properly compensated.

P.P.S. Don't any of you say dammit either in response to my post...All the curse words are surely mine as well.

P.P.P.S. I had a college professor once who said, "There are only three things that can come out of a human's mouth: Crap.
Bull crap,
and Cosmic Elephant Crap."

Note: He said if first, but he didn't copyright it, so that too is mine.

See ya,
Coyote Davis
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johndifo, 30 Dec 2007 @ 4:50pm

Re: Restoration is a derivative work
So give us the original back
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Kevin, 30 Dec 2007 @ 6:58pm

Re: Copyrights and Patents
Dammit!

Where should I send the royalties?
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Anonymous Coward, 31 Dec 2007 @ 5:18am

If it were in the U.S. you could indeed rant and rave about this..However this is Italy, their laws maybe different and if they are your interpretation means nothing.
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Shaun, 31 Dec 2007 @ 6:31am

Re: Restoration is a derivative work
That might be a possible argument but I'd think the effort they went through to keep it exactly authentic to the original, down to the original brush strokes might undermine it's "derivative work" status.
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Doc, 31 Dec 2007 @ 8:05am

Multiply
And the courts have found that you don't get charged per "copy" you infringe, but "per copy per store", as they assume copyright infringement is happening in all of a particular business' outlets.
So.... If Wal-Mart gets caught by the copyright police for selling one "Garfield" birthday cake without paying royalties, they can be fined not just once for $100 (for example), but $200 x 3400 stores, or $680,000... Ouch!

So pay up and shut up...or Garfield will hunt you down and eat you!
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BoxFiesta, 2 Jan 2008 @ 1:31am

Copyright Laws
Thing is, Italy is going backwards on many things. I have posted often about how the western world in particular is creating more and more conservative laws to "hold on" while the east is pushing forward and thinking of the future.

We must change our focus or risk being left behind.
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Duodave, 2 Jan 2008 @ 8:36am

Commissioned work
Technically, the Sistine Chapel ceiling was a commissioned work. As such, its copyright is held by the Catholic Church. However, as I understand copyright law, anything made before a certain date before copyright law was created is exempt from copyright law. Hence, a work commissioned in 1508 is not subject to copyright law.

If the Japanese firm "restored" the work to its original form, I would think that they could not hold copyrights to the restoration, as it restored it to the original form, not a modification.
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