WIPO releases child's guide to copyright law

Bob Russell · 10-08-2007, 08:23 AM

While it may be slightly agenda-forwarding, the new copyright guide from the World Intellectual Property Organization (available for free in .pdf) is reported to be well balanced. The title is "Learn from the Past, Create the Future". It includes topics like fair use and public domain. Classrooms are the target audience, and it contains artwork intended to keep interest.

Via ARS Technica.

rlauzon · 10-08-2007, 06:48 PM

Interesting. Overall, well done and well balanced. It tends to stick with the facts.

But it doesn't justify the exorbitantly long copyright duration or why descendants should get the rights to a artistic work they did not contribute to.

They correctly point out that innovations like the printing press made copies cheaper and, so, greatly benefited the authors - but fail to see how the Internet does the same.

They cover First Sale Doctrine, which is very nice, but fail to explain how DRM violates it.

They also try to push (but only a little bit) their failed "Broadcast Rights" agenda.

Fair Use gets covered in a small area on page 46. But the words "Fair Use" never appear together anywhere. They call it "free uses". It's never covered after that.

Then we get into the more contriversial parts, like Piracy.

"Piracy takes away the financial reward that authors deserve, and
reduces their ability to continue creating new works."
- But how much of the money collected for the work ends up with the author? Based on what authors have told us, darn little.

"Piracy reduces the incentive for publishing and distributing
companies to invest in new authors and performers."
- News to authors like Cory Doctorow and Scott Siegler, who make their work freely available, yet still make money.
- Piracy of eBooks doesn't seem to stop big authors like Rowling or small authors like Darrell Bain.

"Consumers are not protected against faulty copies."
- Probably the lamest excuse I've seen. I'm not protected against faulty LEGAL copies either.

"Piracy makes legal copies more expensive."
- And, of course, they have to put in one lie.

Then we have:
"Reasons why we should not upload/download illegal copies of works include:"
"Risk of computer viruses and hacking."
- It's kinda hard to get a virus from a data file.

"Risk of lawsuits."
- Millions of file sharers. Only thousands of suits. Not much of a risk.

"Reduced choice of music."
- And, of course, yet another lie.

But they are correct: "Downloading music legally has never been easier."

"According to international laws, it is illegal to remove, change (alter), or
get around (circumvent) DRM protection of a work."
- Is this document intended for the world or just parts of it? This is a false statement in the U.S. according to the EFF.

But I do really like their recommendation on how to handle copyright infringement (mainly ask nicely first, sue second). Maybe the RIAA should read this document.

I'm still wondering how they reconcile Fair Use with the section on Permission Letters. They imply that I need to ask permission for any use of copyrighted material. But Fair Use says that I can use copyrighted material in a limited way without permission for certain things.

They also greatly downplay the time and expense needed to locate the copyright holder so that they can ask permission.

10-08-2007, 08:23 AM	#1
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	WIPO releases child's guide to copyright law While it may be slightly agenda-forwarding, the new copyright guide from the World Intellectual Property Organization (available for free in .pdf) is reported to be well balanced. The title is "Learn from the Past, Create the Future". It includes topics like fair use and public domain. Classrooms are the target audience, and it contains artwork intended to keep interest. Via ARS Technica.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Canadian Copyright Law	Greg Anos	Upload Help	4	10-05-2012 04:59 PM
Secret Copyright Law Reported	6charlong	News	339	01-20-2010 07:54 PM
French Copyright Law Question	ahi	News	8	01-14-2010 03:25 PM
Current US copyright law	Greg Anos	Upload Help	2	08-19-2009 07:48 PM
getting around copyright law	sic	Workshop	2	12-08-2006 03:56 PM

10-08-2007, 06:48 PM	#2
rlauzon Wizard Posts: 1,018 Karma: 67827 Join Date: Jan 2005 Device: PocketBook Era	Interesting. Overall, well done and well balanced. It tends to stick with the facts. But it doesn't justify the exorbitantly long copyright duration or why descendants should get the rights to a artistic work they did not contribute to. They correctly point out that innovations like the printing press made copies cheaper and, so, greatly benefited the authors - but fail to see how the Internet does the same. They cover First Sale Doctrine, which is very nice, but fail to explain how DRM violates it. They also try to push (but only a little bit) their failed "Broadcast Rights" agenda. Fair Use gets covered in a small area on page 46. But the words "Fair Use" never appear together anywhere. They call it "free uses". It's never covered after that. Then we get into the more contriversial parts, like Piracy. "Piracy takes away the financial reward that authors deserve, and reduces their ability to continue creating new works." - But how much of the money collected for the work ends up with the author? Based on what authors have told us, darn little. "Piracy reduces the incentive for publishing and distributing companies to invest in new authors and performers." - News to authors like Cory Doctorow and Scott Siegler, who make their work freely available, yet still make money. - Piracy of eBooks doesn't seem to stop big authors like Rowling or small authors like Darrell Bain. "Consumers are not protected against faulty copies." - Probably the lamest excuse I've seen. I'm not protected against faulty LEGAL copies either. "Piracy makes legal copies more expensive." - And, of course, they have to put in one lie. Then we have: "Reasons why we should not upload/download illegal copies of works include:" "Risk of computer viruses and hacking." - It's kinda hard to get a virus from a data file. "Risk of lawsuits." - Millions of file sharers. Only thousands of suits. Not much of a risk. "Reduced choice of music." - And, of course, yet another lie. But they are correct: "Downloading music legally has never been easier." "According to international laws, it is illegal to remove, change (alter), or get around (circumvent) DRM protection of a work." - Is this document intended for the world or just parts of it? This is a false statement in the U.S. according to the EFF. But I do really like their recommendation on how to handle copyright infringement (mainly ask nicely first, sue second). Maybe the RIAA should read this document. I'm still wondering how they reconcile Fair Use with the section on Permission Letters. They imply that I need to ask permission for any use of copyrighted material. But Fair Use says that I can use copyrighted material in a limited way without permission for certain things. They also greatly downplay the time and expense needed to locate the copyright holder so that they can ask permission.

Advert