I think the parent's point is that you can't quite do "whatever you want" with it anywhere in the world, at least until Alex dies, because in some countries authors have inalienable moral rights that cannot be waived by any agreement or license. For instance, if you go to France and distort or mutilate Alex's work in a way that harms his reputation or honour, he will be able to sue you for it, and no possible license will waive his right to do so; there is nothing whatsoever other than commit suicide that he can do to grant you the freedom to mutilate his work in a way that harms his honour while in France.