Quote:
Originally Posted by ardeegee
|
Yes, it is a nice essay. Doesn't say that much though as far as I see. I generally agree with what he is saying about culture being the reason copyright is needed. He throws in this concept or para-copyright which is just a fabrication. But then says:
"It's entirely possible that there's a detente to be reached between the copyists and the copyright holders: a set of rules that only try to encompass "culture" and not "industry." But the only way to bring copyists to the table is to stop insisting that all unauthorized copying is theft and a crime and wrong. People who know that copying is simple, good, and beneficial hear that and assume that you're either talking nonsense or that you're talking about someone else. "
which is just not totally true to me. (as you all well know by now, I consider copyright infringement theft). To this I say, there are many ways to get to Cincinnati. His approach is possibly one of them but he really gives no concrete ideas of how to reach that detente.
I think several thing have to happen. The primary one being that the laws need to recognize intellectual property as property, not something different, with all the privileges and rights as any other property. Understanding of what this property is, what it's products/instantiations are and modifications of the existing laws to accommodate it would be a good step.
The other big step is for both consumers and providers to understand this brave new world, to work with one-another and to respect one-another. Consumers must understand that an author (or any other intellectual property creator) lives only by getting paid for the fruits of his labors. Authors must understand that some consumers are thieves - they have always been there and will continue to be there. Prices and products must be set and produced in a way that the needs of all are accounted for otherwise (as Cory says) culture will lose. That is what is happening now.
If authors (and IP creators) cannot make a living by the fruits of their labors they will be forced to do it some other way and the result will be lost culture.