Larry Lessig: Creativity and Copyright
Below is a video from March 2007 of Larry Lessig talk at TED. Lessig describes three stories, one having to do with how our culture moved from a read writable culture to a read only by quoting John Phillip Sousa and how things are changing. Secondly, how we interpret the law and how it changes and finally, how BMI was able to take down ASCAP and how that relates to today.
In Lessig’s argument, he emphasizes that digital natives are remixing original content as a form of expression and this is the way they have learned to communicate with the world. Lessig describes the reaction from businesses and the law have to the amateur content remixed on the internet. Copyright law dismisses any use of content that is remixed as illegal and therefore, is at war with the amateur creators. He points out how our ‘common sense’ has not revolted against these copyright laws. He discusses how there are only two extremes of the side of the debate and we must find a balance. He argues that we need a private solution in order to legalize and realize the economic potential of digital technologies. He uses the example of BMI demonstrating competition to achieve balance. Because we don’t have a public domain it is up to the artists and businesses to embrace a certain degree of free content so we can grow on a neutral platform and so they can exist simultaneously in order to develop creativity. It’s basically only a matter of time before we come to this solution or one near it for the generations to come will demand it or become criminals.
TED Talks: Larry Lessig on laws that choke creativity
