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| http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/174373# |
I was really intrigued by the documentary when they spoke about the Brazilian, Nigerian, and Swedish laws and how they were almost trendsetters. Laurence Lessig and many of the other interviewees spoke very well about the need to adapt our current laws to the new technologies that so many people have access to. We are no longer protecting printed materials that were produced on a printing press. Everyone has the capability to be a producer and I think this is a fundamental change in all societies and how they handle copyright laws. Many of these laws, were conceived before the ease of file sharing and collaborating became the norm for many. I think the point that Mr. Lessig made about being more open with sharing would increase the revenue for many artists that do not see a dime from their works being distributed was right on target.
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| From flickr user: Loan Sameli |
The idea that suing your customer base to keep pirates at bay (pun intended) is ridiculous. Sending someone to jail and fining them tens of thousands of dollars is not a way to endear yourself to the public that you want as paying customers. There are lots of examples of artists trying new methods and being quite successful. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails started his own record label, The Null Corporation, in which he released his album as a free download with options for purchasing extras. The Grateful Dead toured for decades and encouraged recording and sharing of their music. There are many examples of musicians that have done well in the new economy of the information age.
I am not arguing for pirating and the blatant disrespect for others hard work, but I do feel that times have changed and we must adapt to the new methods of distribution and sharing or we will stifle the artistic possibilities that these new technologies afford us. Just as education is dealing with how to handle smart phones, tablets, and mp3 players that have more computing power than the Apollo spacecraft, so to must society adjust to this new world.
P.S. I am not a Nine Inch Nails fan, just a fan of Trent Reznor's willingness to try something different and put his fans first.
Sources:
First picture - http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/174373#
Second picture - http://www.flickr.com/photos/39698489@N00/145765624/
P.S. I am not a Nine Inch Nails fan, just a fan of Trent Reznor's willingness to try something different and put his fans first.
Sources:
First picture - http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/174373#
Second picture - http://www.flickr.com/photos/39698489@N00/145765624/
Those were some good points you covered, especially about the need to change copyright law to match the needs of the times. With technology becoming more and more widely available sharing of all kinds is at an all time high. Especially with the economy as it is now, people are less and less willing to pay $20 for a CD when they can just get it from a torrent. Artists are indeed entitled to their due, we just need to figure out a new way for them to get it. The old copyright was fine when it was just paper copies, but now that ideas can be created and shared in so many forms, a new kind of law needs to be set up to accomodate them. If companies spent more time trying to create this new system instead of suing 'piraters' for outrageous sums, things would definitely be better for both consumer and creator.
ReplyDeleteJazmin,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments. I agree with you as well, very well said.
First off—Congratulations on your daughter’s graduation. It is such a proud moment we share with our children—kudos to you and your family. I also like the design of your blog—nice style.
ReplyDeleteThe readings this week on copyright issues was interesting and powerfully stated. I agree with you about businesses who sue are impacted negatively; it is not a way to paint a positive picture about themselves in the public eye. Your point about the Grateful Dead allowing and even accommodating their audiences to record in order to share their music was a perfect example about how many musicians have embraced sharing. The times are changing and allowing options like what the Null Corp. has done will be something others embrace, as a way to share and still promote their art.
Jim, I think you nail the copyright issue on the head. It is time for a change. The United States is NOT the leader in copyright law and progression. However, we do produce lots and lots of music, art, movies, literature, etc that should be shared around the world spreading ideas. To do this, copyright will have to catch up with times and technology. I am so glad you gave the Nine Inch Nails and The Grateful Dead, these popular bands are proof that greatness will be remembered even when they go against the grain.
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