Free Culture - Lawrence Lessig

Lessig speaks of the copyright laws which now prevent the usage of material. In the beginning the law only covered little of the usage, now, it's coverage has expanded. The copyright laws now seek to protect creators by giving only them rights for its distribution. Disney, to create Mickey Mouse, borrowed steamboat willy. It was not a common thing to 'borrow' from other sources. Disney, had taken stories from the Grimm Brothers and remade this into their own creation which is now a most celebrated piece. Why then, have the laws restricted usage of ideas so much? It is for the main players in the media, the big business for the fear of competition.