[mikecane]

Ken Bruen writes crime fiction. When I first discovered his work years ago, each of his chapters would begin with a quote from someone else's novel (attributed). I got introduced very quickly to a lot of other great writers. Then the effing lawyers moved in. This wasn't Fair Use -- so pay us. As you see in the WSJ article, the prices demanded have no relation to reality whatsoever. Ever since that time, Bruen has used public domain quotes. I can't think of a single writer who would have objected to Bruen's use. Because writers love what he did. But when publishers, lawyers, and agents get involved, the common well of culture is drained dry by their greed.