Copyhold
Copyhold has its origin in mediaeval England. Copyhold was tenure of land according to the custom of the manor, the "title deeds" being a copy of the record of the manor court. In other words, under customary law under a moral economy.
Copyholds were gradually enfranchised (turned into ordinary holdings of land—either freehold or 999-year leasehold) during the 19th century. Legislation in the 1920s finally extinguished the last of them.
Here we wish to reinvigorate the concept of Copyhold by using it as a basis of a new right of access to use and modify information and knowledge which does not rely on copyright, licences or such like. Thus it would be Sui Generis, a form of property-right which gives moral rights to the creator (as author) but crucially no restriction no copies or distribution.
It would be analagous to holding the moral rights in a piece of work (so that you as creator would be attributed) but allow the equivalent of public domain (Res Nullis) use of the work.
Copyholds were gradually enfranchised (turned into ordinary holdings of land—either freehold or 999-year leasehold) during the 19th century. Legislation in the 1920s finally extinguished the last of them.
Here we wish to reinvigorate the concept of Copyhold by using it as a basis of a new right of access to use and modify information and knowledge which does not rely on copyright, licences or such like. Thus it would be Sui Generis, a form of property-right which gives moral rights to the creator (as author) but crucially no restriction no copies or distribution.
It would be analagous to holding the moral rights in a piece of work (so that you as creator would be attributed) but allow the equivalent of public domain (Res Nullis) use of the work.
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