CULTURAS IN VITRO
Mickey's not for taking: Without fanfare, a ruling has extended protection for many of the 20th century's artistic landmarks. Paul March explains the significance of the most important copyright decision for a generation
With the commercial stakes running so high, it is only a matter of time until attempts are again made to extend the copyright term in Europe and the US. Until then it remains to be seen whether the works of Hemingway, Steinbeck and McCartney will one day be allowed to follow Shakespeare, Twain and Mozart into the public domain.