I have no idea how accurate this comment from last week is, or if it applies beyond games, but the model is interesting:
Japan has a scheme for orphaned games where if you can prove you did due diligence in searching for a rightsholder and couldn't find one, you can go ahead with rereleasing the game and the royalty payments get held in escrow by the government in case the rightsholder comes forward. I wish the US had something similar for cases like these.
At least with books, it's mostly individual authors who are most opposed to orphan works legislation. Disney isn't going to forget about whatever legal hoops are needed to maintain copyright. Individual authors (or their estates) may well do so.
Comments
I have no idea how accurate this comment from last week is, or if it applies beyond games, but the model is interesting:
Source:
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45877983#45878084
At least with books, it's mostly individual authors who are most opposed to orphan works legislation. Disney isn't going to forget about whatever legal hoops are needed to maintain copyright. Individual authors (or their estates) may well do so.
hearing about Japan doing things intelligently gives me such a warm fuzzy feeling.
(previous example that I remember: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/05/27/companies/j... )