On National Public Radio's Fresh Air program yesterday, author and law professor Lawrence Lessing discussed his perspective of today's antique copyright laws and how they apply to Web 2.0.
Typically a casual NPR listener, I was quick to tune into this story. Copyright laws and their implications were discussed at length in my Communication in the Information Age course this term. The ways that existing copyright law relates to technology in a 2.0 world is a tricky course but also an example of ways government and the corporate world scrambles to keep up.
Lessing offers an interesting and progressive ideas to update copyright laws he describes as "antique" and likens to Prohibition.
In my opinion, there are several things to be accomplished by copyright laws. First, artists and creators of content need to receive just compensation for their work. Second, consumers and active users of creative content need some degree of rights to use, share and enjoy content. If both components are fulfilled, content will benefit both groups and society as a whole.
Another soundbite that caught my attention:
Lessing is also the creator of Creative Commons, a nonprofit organization that promotes the legal sharing, repurposing and remixing of creative work. (NPR 2008) While developing Mercy Corps Flickr site, Tiffany Wheeler (my boss and coworker) explained the opportunity provided by Creative Commons. As we discussed and dug through the internet, it became clear that there was plenty to learn about the Creative Commons concept.
As Lessing points out, there are clearly alternatives to our current laws on copyrights that would better address the world of Web 2.0, for artists and consumers. Although I hadn't realized how many alternatives were available for online copyright strategies, I am excited that the social networking world and thinkers like Lessing are helping explain and promote these possibilities.
You can listen to Lawrence Lessing's interview on NPR here
The sooner we create laws to fit the needs of constituents, the further our society can move forward - using social media and the Web as a tool.
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