Copyright Law has roots in English common law. To protect and promote writing and authorship About 550 years ago, Guttenberg s press became the new hi tech of the day. Suddenly, this made it possible for writings to be easily copied and mass distributed without author control.
Rights are in Art.
Copyright and patent laws developed separately from there. The Maskwork Chip Protection Act. Software and Boat Hull designs. The Secure Digital Music Initiative and undoubtedly many more strategic alliances will start up to handle and deliver entertainment on the World Wide Web, Web TV and other future formats. SDMI has resolved the immediate issue of whether and how to have secure delivery of digital music.