> So why shouldn't Rowling be able to pass Harry Potter on to her kids? Why should her business be treated differently?
Because we grant copyright in order to encourage further production of creative works. Rowling's kids are not likely to produce further works no matter how long their copyright is. There is no benefit to society for granting copyright much beyond the life of the creative individual.
In fact, the problem is precisely the opposite. Because we keep giving longer copyright terms, properties like Mickey Mouse and Sonic the Hedgehog get dull, uninspired treatments when new people could take those properties and make something cool.
Because we grant copyright in order to encourage further production of creative works. Rowling's kids are not likely to produce further works no matter how long their copyright is. There is no benefit to society for granting copyright much beyond the life of the creative individual.
In fact, the problem is precisely the opposite. Because we keep giving longer copyright terms, properties like Mickey Mouse and Sonic the Hedgehog get dull, uninspired treatments when new people could take those properties and make something cool.