I’ve seen the same charges of hypocrisy made every time the Bertold Brecht estate (or any of Brecht’s translators) slaps a cease & desist letter on an unlicensed production of Three Penny Opera.
In the U.K., copyright is extended 70 years after first publication or the death of the author-- which in this case, would be the translators and editors involved in this particular edition of the work. Just because Lawrence & Wisehart are communists, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t assert their rights under the laws of a capitalist society. Should communists refuse to file charges when they have been robbed or assaulted?
Otherwise, it’s just becomes: “Oh, you are (or your grandparents were) socialists? Good, that means we can rip you off!”
