Copyright Debate: Alternatives

Copyright and Piracy

View more presentations from snowflakebutt.

Copyright Debate: Alternatives

Following on from the research and reading I did on Copyright laws shown in my powerpoint presentation, we as a class took place in a copyright debate, arguing whether copyright laws are outdated or still need to be enforced. 

I believe that copyright laws are needed in the sense of giving credibility and ownership of certain pieces of work, especially with written literature and the direct copying of work from commerically produced art forms that are used as another way of  gaining money. All form of work should be accredited to the original artis,t however, I think that alot of the laws based around copyright are far outdated for today's media culture. For instance, it is considered going against copyright if you print a photo off the internet and use it as a poster in your bedroom. Even singing Happy Birthday is not abiding against copyright laws, which seems a little extreme to me! 

While exploring arugements for our side of the debate, it became clear that there are many other answers and organisations giving alternatives to copyright laws which I think could aid in the controversy over illegal downloading.

   I understand how illegal downloading has seemed to have a highly negative effect on the entertainment business. Looking at various Youtube videos featuring actor Jack Black and singer Kid Rock, both state that illegal downloading is jepordising the music and film business. However, the point made in Kid Rock's video that downloading and remixing is stealing and not sharing I think is not completely inaccurate. He makes the point that copying music or film online is the same as going into a store and stealing a Ipod or a handbag. I believe this to be completely over exaggerated. By looking at what Doctorow says in his article ``Why I Copyfight'' the use of downloading and sharing online illegally builds on cultural communications and therefore cultural expansion. {2008}  The use of sharing via the internet benefits people worldwide and beings cultures closer together, whereas the stealing of an Ipod or a handbag as suggested in the video only benefits the person stealing and no one else therefore this is a poor example of a comparison to illegal sharing.

   The internet has become so powerful with millions of downloaders contributing to the growth in society and culture why should we stop this? There should be a more positive outlook on this growing culture and this could be done if copyright laws were less strict. The given Youtube Videos also argue that DVD sales and cinema sales are  being damaged but recent studies show the complete contrary therefore again making this arguement weak. 

 There are many organisations and alternative schemse being put forward to allow positive remixing of published material. Firstly there is Copyleft. A play on words for Copyright, this licensing system does not replace Copyright regulations but helps to simplify sharing through emlimating the middle man. The author, musician or artist has the opportunity to give every person who recieves a copy of their work the option to adapt their work whilst remaining in the licensing laws on computer softeware, documents and artwork. This system works on making a peice of work for free and all modifications of the work free too. {http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/ , GNU, 2009}

  Online projects such as OPSOUND allows musicians and artists to download their work through the Copyleft licensing for listeners to share and remix on a personal basis all free of charge. {opsound, 2009}

Similarly websites such as MORGUE FILES and OPENCLIPART LIBRARIES are non commerical projects allowing free use of graphics and photos uploaded to the websites and allowing people to use free of charge. MORGUE FILES actually states that as long as you do not take credit for the photography used the files can be used for commercial purposes as well.{MorgueFiles, 2009/2010} Projects such as these allow people to participate in new media and excuses the harsh laws of copyright regulations, helping media culture to expand. 

Resources: 

www.opsound.org

www.morguefile.com

http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpcADFZD-eg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkWKvMCZqa
Doctorow, C. {2008} Why I Copyfight, {WWW}, Available from: 
Http://www.locusmag.com/features/2008/11/cory-doctorow-why-i-copyfight.html
Legal Threats against Pirate Bay {WWW}: 
Http://thepiratebay.org/legal