Comments on: Why I Copyfight

By: Randy Rodgers

Randy Rodgers — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:24:12 +0000

Kristin,

Thanks for the resource!

By: Kristin Hokanson

Kristin Hokanson — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:47:36 +0000

Randy.. I certainly hope you get back and see this comment...because The Media Education Lab has just released a statement of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education. You can check it out HERE Listen to the recording of the release conference--the first 4 min are a little garbled in audio...but it is good stuff. A wiki has been created to archive how educators are using this statement and incorporating into work

By: Randy Rodgers

Randy Rodgers — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 02:42:40 +0000

Thanks for sharing this, Alec. The system of “fair use” as it currently exists is still a handicap to educators and students. While the ability to profit from one’s creativity is very important, the practice of individuals and (primarily) large corporations going after a school for using an image, video, or other creation for non-profit purposes is mind-boggling. Such use undoubtedly has a far lesser impact financially than the millions spent enforcing copyright in such circumstances. The doctrine of common sense, alas, is a fantasy.

By: Ian H.

Ian H. — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:29:41 +0000

Hmm… never thought about it that way, but I guess I agree. Without defined ends to the spectrum, the middle becomes mushy. Explains politics, I guess…

By: Alec

Alec — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:16:54 +0000

@Ian: I would agree with your impression on Doctorow. Others like Richard Stallman could also be classified on the far copyleftist side of things. Geist and Lessig see that there needs to be a middle ground, that balance is good, and that too much control of content/culture is not good for anyone. Yet, society needs dissent, and without those pushing the far boundaries, the middle ground becomes impotent.

By: Ian H.

Ian H. — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:55:20 +0000

I think Cory Doctorow is pretty far down the one end of the copyright spectrum (with the MPAA and RIAA at the opposite end). I prefer Michael Geist’s take on it: that there are valid reasons for copyright, and that rightsholders and end users must come to some sort of agreement that benefits both. Reading Doctorow, you get the impression that he’d be happy if everything was free forever…