"There has grown in the minds of certain groups in this country the idea that just because a man or corporation has made a profit out of the public for a number of years, the government and the courts are charged with guaranteeing such a profit in the future, even in the face of changing circumstances and contrary to public interest. This strange doctrine is supported by neither statute or common law. Neither corporations or individuals have the right to come into court and ask that the clock of history be stopped, or turned back."

Robert A. Heinlein, "Life-Line", 1939

I wonder if the maker of that statement, former Register of Copyrights, Ralph Oman, realizes how patronizing and, well, royalist, that seems.

"These peasants and commoners don't know what's good for them. Before they get uppity, we need to have Lords and Ladies oversee anything new to ensure that God's Own Order Here on Earth does not get upset." Sheesh. How un-American can you get?

Full title is "Former Copyright Boss: New Technology Should Be Presumed Illegal Until Congress Says Otherwise" but HN does not allow more than 80 chars in title.