Much props for putting an issue dear to my heart, copyright law, on the agenda. The piecemeal adaptation of copyright law to suit the interests of the recording and movie industries is atrocious. Intellectual property law needs a complete overhaul, immediately. This is particularly called for now because: 1) dramatic technological developments that are radically changing the ways music, video, and writing can be produced and shared. The role of artist/creator and audience, and the relationships between them, is being radically reshaped. 2) Ever-consolidating recording, movie, and media industries have long ceased to be of any benefit to the vast majority of artists and creators (not to mention their audiences), and yet these and not the artists themselves have been the most influential players in shaping intellectual property law, to their nearly exclusive benefit. 3) We direly need to return to the noblest roots of intellectual property law--the intention to support creators so that they can continue to create and so that their creations can continue to benefit society. There are so many ways that new technologies can be used to benefit and support artists in new ways, to help them find new audiences for their work and new means of financial support for their efforts. Our country has a responsibility to return to these priorities, and to creatively explore how new legislation could further their pursuit.
I would like to recommend an addendum to this part of the list, which is media ownership reform. The FCC of late has been far more concerned with Janet Jackson's nipples and Howard Stern's affinity for synonyms of poop to do its real job, Instead of ensuring that media in our country continues to be a free, open, and vibrant forum for diverse views, it had handed over the keys to the public airwaves it is bound to steward to conglomerates such as ClearChannel. The FCC, rather than protecting against media consolidation that threatens the future of free and open media in our country, has actually been pushing for legislation to encourage such consolidation!
My apologies for the ramblingness of my email...I appreciate your list, and it inspired me to vent a bit. I will try to search the archives of my blog ( www.serendipitynow.blogspot.com ) for something a little more articulate on the subject.
absurdities and atrocities of American Copyright
1) dramatic technological developments that are radically changing the ways music, video, and writing can be produced and shared. The role of artist/creator and audience, and the relationships between them, is being radically reshaped.
2) Ever-consolidating recording, movie, and media industries have long ceased to be of any benefit to the vast majority of artists and creators (not to mention their audiences), and yet these and not the artists themselves have been the most influential players in shaping intellectual property law, to their nearly exclusive benefit.
3) We direly need to return to the noblest roots of intellectual property law--the intention to support creators so that they can continue to create and so that their creations can continue to benefit society. There are so many ways that new technologies can be used to benefit and support artists in new ways, to help them find new audiences for their work and new means of financial support for their efforts. Our country has a responsibility to return to these priorities, and to creatively explore how new legislation could further their pursuit.
I would like to recommend an addendum to this part of the list, which is media ownership reform. The FCC of late has been far more concerned with Janet Jackson's nipples and Howard Stern's affinity for synonyms of poop to do its real job, Instead of ensuring that media in our country continues to be a free, open, and vibrant forum for diverse views, it had handed over the keys to the public airwaves it is bound to steward to conglomerates such as ClearChannel. The FCC, rather than protecting against media consolidation that threatens the future of free and open media in our country, has actually been pushing for legislation to encourage such consolidation!
My apologies for the ramblingness of my email...I appreciate your list, and it inspired me to vent a bit. I will try to search the archives of my blog ( www.serendipitynow.blogspot.com ) for something a little more articulate on the subject.