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Culture vs. Copyright

What Does a Publisher Get?

Gamma: Hold on, all of you. I want to ask Alpha what was wrong with this picture? Can you put forward some argument and keep the exclamations to yourself?
Delta: Gamma, you always sound so smart.
Gamma: I was watching the news with my parents last night.
Beta: Well anyway, I don’t mind the exclamations, but I would like to get some more logical “ignition,” as well.
Delta: Me too. Say something, Alpha.
Alpha: What, you can’t remember? I told you—nobody will pay an artist, all right?
Gamma: But how about a fat publisher that can pay to be the first?
Alpha: I don’t buy it.
Gamma: That’s all?
Alpha: All right. But he won’t pay much because any advantage expires at the moment that the work gets out!
Beta: Hey, Alpha, if you understand business so well, why don’t you use your imagination a bit more?
Alpha: I take that as an insult.
Kappa: Cool down, guys.
Delta: Hey, hey, I get it! The publisher may pay the artist very well so that he keeps the work inside!
Alpha: So what? It gets outside when it gets published anyway!
Delta: So what yourself! The first is the first! Customers value that! This is how a brand develops! It pays, all right.
Alpha: So what? So your fat publisher develops a brand. Oh, he makes money all right, but what about the artist?
Delta: Are you nuts? Who can’t remember now? How does the publisher gain all these things? He pays the artist, remember? He has to pay very well, remember!
Kappa: Cool down, guys.