Well…what can I say about copyright laws that hasn’t already been said by other course participants? I thought about cutting and pasting all of their great ideas into my blog…but then I worried that I’d be violating some sort of copyright law and my blog entry would be taken down…
Here’s an unhappy person, some of his videos were removed from U-Tube for copyright violations:
As educators we should abide by the copyright laws as they apply to us through fair use. It seems we have more flexibility when using copyrighted materials thanks to the interpretation of fair use. As we learned in class, even what we can and can’t do with copyrighted material as educators is often misconstrued and misunderstood. Furthermore, as educators we need to teach our students about copyright and copying (plagiarism). ISB’s AUP mentions the importance of complying with copyright laws and citing sources: “Graphics and text retrieved from the Internet must comply with copyright laws and sources must be properly documented.” (ISB, MS AUP).
Most course participants, on their blogs and in class, seem to agree that copyright laws need to be rethought and updated. They need to change as society changes. Some artists have already started to do this by selling or “donating” their music directly to consumers and using the “free” publicity generated to fill concert venues. Furthermore, everyone basically agrees that sharing seems to contribute to creativity. Historically, most inventions, including language, are actually “borrowed” as opposed to being a completely original innovations; lending support to the idea that creativity builds on creativity.
However, some believe in the importance of protecting the livelihood of artists and creators. If they can’t financially benefit from their talents, hard work and gifts, then they will have to do other things to make a living and contribute less to the rich tapestry of creativity. Therefore, balance is important with regard to copyright changes.
So basically change needs to happen: change, adapt or risk extinction. Whatever your thoughts and opinions on this topic; change is coming and it won’t be easy for everyone. Just ask the people at Pirate Bay, now convicted and facing one year in jail and hefty fines:
Pirate Bay speaks out
"Illegal file sharing won't stop"
And remember...
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What is this, FOXX News? This is some stupendously poor reporting in the news broadcast about the Pirate Bay court case. While I don't think what the Pirate Bay does is morally defensible it is not illegal. There are repeated references to downloading from the Pirate Bay, which is not what that site is about.
ReplyDeletePicture a bulletin board outside in someone's front yard. People passing on the sidewalk post notices that they want to share a file. They share the files in private. The house owner takes the trouble to keep the organization of the board in order and sells advertising space to businesses to put their adds along side the notices. Does the site owner profit? Yes, but not from doing something illegal. It is legal to sell advertising space on a website. The prosecution is happening because of enormous political pressure. There should be new legislation that specifically forbids what they do.
The chances are, in the future the peer to peer traffic will no longer have to go through a central point like the message board I described. The traffic will also be heavily encrypted. The result of which will be that it will be impossible to enforce restrictions. What then?
Actually that clip you enjoyed is from Russiatoday… selected for its brilliant, sensational quality; they’re the people who broke the “125 year woman is the oldest mom” story. My point is that the verdict is as surreal as the coverage… Thanks for your great explanation regarding how the file sharing works and I like the question that you raised. How valid will the verdicts and laws of today be as technology rapidly changes?
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