[efwqwsmq] Good artists borrow, great artists steal

There are several ways to interpret the adage "Good artists borrow. Great artists steal."

All artists build upon the work of others.

* Those whose fame -- greatness -- so far exceeds the previous creators as to overshadow them create the illusion that they are stealing the previous intellectual effort.

* Greatness is only achieved after a test of time, so all great artists are old.  However, the further back in time one goes, the weaker copyright law was (nonexistent in Shakespeare's time) allowing more building upon others' work, judged stealing by today's legal definition.

* Great artists, through power or wealth, are more able to skirt copyright law, building on others' work without compensating them, stealing.

The corollary of the adage is important: whenever you assert copyright, you are actively inhibiting the creation of great art, perhaps by a chilling effect on a future great artist who will not even attempt to steal because of your history of thwarting theft.