Modern copyright duration is the actual problem: It should've never been longer than what was outlined in the Statute of Anne. (28~14 years)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statute_of_Anne

The Lord of the Rings should be in the public domain.

The original Harry Potter book should've been in the public domain.

Star Wars should've been in the public domain.

Everything from before 1998 should've been in the public domain by now, but isn't.