Far from me to defend the AI labs’ absolute disregard for creative work, but that’s not how copyright works.
When copyright expires the work becomes public domain, it doesn’t get a permissive license with restrictions (MIT). Also, expired copyright doesn’t mean you get access to the sources from the creator; when Mickey Mouse becomes public domain you don’t get access to all the original animation cells and drawings, it just means you can draw the character yourself and use its name however you please. Finally, decades-old software doesn’t have the same cultural importance, only a tiny amount of people care.
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Far from me to defend the AI labs’ absolute disregard for creative work, but that’s not how copyright works.
When copyright expires the work becomes public domain, it doesn’t get a permissive license with restrictions (MIT). Also, expired copyright doesn’t mean you get access to the sources from the creator; when Mickey Mouse becomes public domain you don’t get access to all the original animation cells and drawings, it just means you can draw the character yourself and use its name however you please. Finally, decades-old software doesn’t have the same cultural importance, only a tiny amount of people care.