Wednesday, February 6, 2013

How much copyright is too much copyright?

Being inspired by the topics discussed in two of my communication studies classes I started to think about the limitations that copyright laws try to impose on the creative public citizen as well as the active public citizen.

If we are going to implement change then it is almost primary that we utilize the tools and the works of art/culture that were created by others before us. A wave of people who are producing content for the sake of sharing, teaching, and celebrating creativity and art form, and not for making a profit is something of a problematic notion.

Economists and certain artists (Metallica) alike are baffled and appalled by this trend,considering it a form of theft.In most cases the value of mash-ups, remixes and collages is not measured in monetary but rather cultural value and despite that, the author of the original piece of work is "threatened".

Well too bad! If we don't speak out then we will feel threatened. Our everyday lives have been transformed due to our ability to not only enjoy art but also utilize it towards a cause. Internet has allowed us to discover and reshape content in a way which we never thought was possible. The appropriation of content motivates, inspires and engages us to share and not just to passively consume. Imposing limitations which are irrelevant just cages people up. Now not to be mistaken with taking someone's work and claiming it your own, in a pure form of plagiarism, but rather giving credit where credit is do while giving it your own appropriation. The laws of copyright should not be so black and white but rather should incorporate the current stage of the digital movement, and the civil movement within it. Laws that choke creativity should be disregarded because those are the same laws that can choke positive civil change; it should all be balanced.

We may not all be incredibly talented to produce something purely original, I don't think anyone has ever because works of the future are inspired by the works of the past . For all the artists which are a part of a multi billion industry :if you were a true artist that was in it for the music you would find alternative ways to make money and that would not be your primary concern. Just like it's not the primary concern of active consumers who are becoming producers of their own entertainment.

What do you think? Do you feel empowered, or do you feel like a dangerous criminal when you share, re-create someone else's work or download illegally?