Fair use was designed for teachers photocopying pages of Walden for their pupils to read over the weekend. Not industrial-scale laundering of IP to benefit shareholders.
> Fair use was designed for teachers photocopying pages of Walden for their pupils to read over the weekend.
Walden was first published in 1854. At the time, the maximum length of copyright in the US was 28 years (14 at first + 14 on renewal).
Notions of "fair use" in the US can be traced back to the mid-1800s, too. There were court rulings, but fair use was not codified into law until 1976. Non-profit educational use was explicitly called out in 1976 also.
Walden was first published in 1854. At the time, the maximum length of copyright in the US was 28 years (14 at first + 14 on renewal).
Notions of "fair use" in the US can be traced back to the mid-1800s, too. There were court rulings, but fair use was not codified into law until 1976. Non-profit educational use was explicitly called out in 1976 also.
Photocopiers were first patented in 1937.