[Baron Munchausen]

Originally posted by geoschmo:
I will agree that the system as a whole has become horribly skewed. It used to be that the author of a work was viewed as the "producer" and the publisher was just distribution. The publisher "worked for" the author in effect. That has got turned around now and the publisher is producing and the author has become in effect merely a raw material. The publsiher controls the access to the market and so the author becomes dependant on them and thus sells their rights for a bowl of porridge.

The internet offers the possibility of once again allowing the author direct access to the market. This is a good thing. No doubt is scares the crud out of the current publishing power structure.

What needs to happen is for forward thinking artists to deal directly with Napster, or Napster like technology and regain control over what they do. But the technology needs responsible limits as well so that it cannot be used to distribute works of artists that do not wish them to.

And yes, copyrights need to be limited. But violation of those copyrights cannot be tolerated or excused.

I read that link Baron. Pretty good article actually. It made me think, although I can't say he convinced me on everyhting. It always amuses me when people in a disagreement over constitutional issues talk of the intent of the founding fathers. As if the founding fathers were a single entity that was consistant and unanimous in every opinion. For every belief that one can find the support of Jefferson for, I can find an equally elloquent and contrary opinion among another founder, usually Hamilton. (History buffs are chuckling now. I am such a nerd. ) The fact is they were men from all walks of life like us. And they disagreed, sometimes very strongly over issues. Almost every sentance in the constitution and bill of rights was disagreed with by at least one of the founding fathers. But they debated, and compromised, and came up with a document that was at once general and specific, both rigid and flexible, both fixed and changeable. Quite an accomplishment actually.

Geoschmo

The problem is that the reach of copyright has been extended with every advance in technology. It's now possible to argue that mere possession of information 'damages' someone's ability to make profits. It used to be that you had to try to exploit copyrighted material to violate a copyright, not merely possess it.

The current system has proven the classic proverb of grasping a handful of sand. The harder you grasp it, the more you lose. Yes, artists need to get fair compensation for their work. But corporations should not be able to stand over us and bill is for living our lives in the common culture. Because of this over-reaching, extremist position the respect of the general public for copyright has been badly eroded.

I think the worst of the problem could be addressed through an extension/expansion of 'fair use' rights. If I happen to have a copy of a favorite song from 20+ years ago it's not a threat to anybody's income. If I was going to buy a copy I'd have done so long before. I think this holds true for most people. If we really like something we DO buy it. If we find an MP3 of a song we haven't heard for a decade or more and download it that doesn't mean we would have bought the CD if we ran across it in a store.

Similarly, if I scan a favorite SciFi novel into my PC and keep it for re-reading/reference I am violating copyright. Sure, if some website scans in a novel & Posts it without permission that is violating copyright. They are 'exploiting' someone else's work, at the very least to generate attention and 'hits' for their site even if they don't charge money for it. But I can't change the form of the information I purchased? This is ridiculous.

So, I propose that if we allow mere possession of a work to count as 'fair use' after a reasonable length of time we could possibly allow copyright on exploitation to continue for the author's lifetime with no problems. You wouldn't be able to lift 'Satisfaction' by the Stones and use it in a movie soundtrack, or perform a cover Version with your own band. Just have a copy in your possession. 10 years, 20 years. I dunno. Something like that. Allowing people to experience their own culture without being taxed/fined/persecuted would go a long way towards restoring respect for copyright law.

[ June 27, 2002, 19:47: Message edited by: Baron Munchausen ]