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I wouldn't say HN is anti-copyright but rather anti-copyright-troll (certainly there are anti-copyright people on HN but I believe that are the minority).

This is a perfect example of why copyright exists in the first place - the original creator wishes to be compensated for the use of work that he created recently.

The problem is when copyright is owned by someone other than the creator, owned indefinitely, used to stifle innovation, etc.

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Copyright is an important tool, ensuring creators a living from their creations, hence - supporting innovation. But there's a fine balance here: the market has to remain open, allowing borrowings, quotations and influences to thrive, otherwise copyright brings the opposite of what it was meant to achieve. It's the dynamic, dialectical, process (copyright versus common property, each pulling in the opposite direction) that is productive - being opposed to either side is somewhat naive.

The copyright owner in this case specifically asks for money

> Below is my invoice for the use of 11 images to which I own the copyright. [...] Total: £3,400

I never said he wasn't asking for money, just that he wasn't trolling. He is well within his rights to ask for money and I personally don't think it's unethical for him to either. The Daily Mail is profiting from his work.

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