In a consumerist world, we producers are bumping our grabby
six year-old hands into a wall known as copyrights. Additionally, we can find thousands of
critical and argumentative sources about copyrights and creative commons, and
here are only a few. First is a YouTube
video, posted by BelYaun is a good place to start when ironically defining
copyright laws. This post consists of clips of Disney movies to define what a
copyright is. It also describes who can use material, and what mediums can be
used. The short video clips demonstrate the time limits that some copyrighted
material constrains its users to. Included are also some articles illuminating
the “issues” surrounding the entire copyright machine. First is “Openness
as Catalyst for an Educational Reformation” by David Wiley. This article
elaborates on the definition of “open” historically and how it has changed
today. Wiley also describes the permissions that users must follow to correctly
use material. This article details the 4
Rs in which users participate when copyrighting: reuse, revise, remix, and
redistribute. Wiley believes that these rules and actions taken by users establish
the ability for authors to demand ownership of their work. Additionally, Wiley
argues that copyright laws are counter-intuitive since “knowledge has the
magical property of being non-rival”, which is the ability to share information
without losing that information or knowledge. Copyright laws limit the
knowledge output from teachers also. Wiley includes historical examples, of the
Gutenberg typewriter and such, to contextualize the debate that copyright laws
are inhibiting to knowledge. Wiley’s
overall argument is that copyright laws keep information tied down when society
demands information with high speed and accessibility. The next article, “Getting
Our Values Around Copyright Right” by Lawrence Lessig discusses how the
idea and law of copyrights has expanded and changed throughout history –
becoming more involved and intense, and affecting more people. Lessig also
elaborates on the 4th Amendment; arguing that it does not control
culture, just how we access our culture. This article questions how a copyright
clause ignores amateur artists and creators, which has the potential to ruin
creativity. Lessig develops the argument that educators redistribute plans and
models with no protection or copyrights that hinder many emerging artists.
Beyond describing concerns, Lessig urges
some actions that users can take – especially to “question the system” (32).
Finally reviewed are a few websites, again arguing copyright laws and some that
present material that is copyright “free”. Some sites are specific locations
for copyright “free” material that anyone can use; for example, Flickr.com.
Probably the most commonly skirted copyright arena is the music industry, and
included are some sites where music is free to the public.
Music:
Photos:
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