[johnnyanmac]

>Does one instance of "filing the serial numbers off" by one author mean that no authors anywhere are allowed to write any books as soon as they've read "a bunch" of other books

So far, pretty much all major actors are doing it. So yes, if everyone is abusing a rule, the ball is taken home.

>I get what you are saying, but it's not so obvious what the right policy is.

The one these companies spent 2 decades prior fighting to strengthen. Yes, I am enjoying the schadenfreude of companies in copyright lingo they used to launch thousands of lawsuits, and now they are on the other end when convenient to them to "steal IP".

copyright needs a major rework, but never interrupt your enemy in the middle of a mistake.