Breech the topic of copyright in any circle within modern society and you are certain to encounter a variety of perspectives. Larry Lessig’s well-constructed discussion of law’s strangle hold on creativity provides one of the strongest arguments for the expansion of fair use and parody laws. His comparison of media usage to the experiences during the early existence of flight truly exemplifies the complexities of democratizing media tools while simultaneously criminalizing common uses of those tools; a few chickens may be hurt in the process, but the bold, passionate creators will thrive in a culture more expressive than ever before.
I do not advocate a complete abolition of existing copyright law, but more a reconsideration of the extremes of copyright protection. As an artist myself, I know that I run a risk of others using my work in a way I may not endorse by placing work in the public sphere, but for both myself and culture to grow it is necessary to embrace this risk. Passing an exact copy of a work off as one’s own abilities is clearly in the wrong, but altering the work, creating a new message and still crediting the original creator has many societal benefits. Reappropriating media can open up citizens’ eyes to ideas far beyond their reach if explained in traditional means.
The language of media is the modern universal language. Video clips with accompanying audio tracks allow individuals to explore visual, aural, and conceptual elements with ease both in the form of creation and reception. Via YouTube I have been able to unearth musicians, ideas and graphic styles I could have never imagined. Through these discoveries my perspective has been enriched and I have in turn attended concerts, researched topics, worked in new ways that have expanded culture since I continued promote these ideas, musicians, and styles in my everyday life.
If money truly is the main issue, one of the comments below the clip of Lessig’s talk by Michael Wilson on November 24 brings up a compelling point. The creators of these videos are not making a profit, but the sites hosting the content are through the funds provided by advertising sponsors. Therefore, it follows to have YouTube, or Google, or whoever pay the necessary royalty fees, thus continuing with the promotion of ideas, while ameliorating the lust for financial gain. The current Writer’s Guild strike could resolve in a manner that poses a potential solution to similar issues, but dealing less with creative rights.
Future copyright law has the potential to push all consumers and creators to levels of expression greater than ever before, or to propagate a stagnation of open culture, forcing the critical media user to underground means of communication, just as described by Lessig. By placing profits above culture, legislature effectively evicts creativity from the minds of its own citizens thus putting a strangle hold on progress throughout society. The “Muppet Hunter” may not be the most groundbreaking concept or production, but it could be a life altering experience for a single individual; and in the telecommunications society, an individual can alter the world.
Tags: creativity, reaction