Spider Robinson's "Melancholy Elephants" (short story, copyrights, free)

What if current copyright law that gives owners rights for a finite number of years were to be extended to them & their heirs in perpetuity?

Story argues that much human creativity is actually discovery rather than creation; in fact, it is often a rediscovery. As population rises, years pass, & a bigger percentage of population joins the creators category, rediscovery is going to be even more important. Perpetual copyright bans rediscovery, & is bad for the psychic health of individuals.

Fact sheet.

First published: Analog, June 1982.
Rating: A.
Download full text from author's site or from Baen Books.
Winner of Hugo Award 1983 in short story category.