Copyright Part 1: Guiding Principles and Online Application
February 25
The Internet has enabled individuals to become involved in the production of media and to distribute their contributions widely at a very low cost. The former bastion of the entertainment industry is opening up to what many are calling a democratization of culture. The copyright doctrine of fair use seemingly bolsters the right to recut, reframe, and recycle previous works, but the protection fair use gives to those re-purposing copyrighted material is notoriously uncertain.
Over the next two classes, this course will take up the some of the issues related to copyright protection and enforcement online. Today’s class will focus on the legal regime of copyright: what it protects, what it doesn’t protect, and how the doctrine has transformed in light of digital reproduction and distribution.
Assignments
The second half of assignment 2 (commenting on prospectuses) is due before class today. Information on the assignment can be found here.
Readings/Watchings
- The mechanics of copyright law
- U.S. Copyright Office, Circular 1: Copyright Basics (read only Who Can Claim Copyright?, What Works Are Protected?, What is Not Protected by Copyright?, How to Secure a Copyright, and How Long Copyright Protection Endures)
- Digital applications and new challenges
- Lawrence Lessig, It is About Time: Getting Our Values around Copyright (watch first 6 minutes)
- Copyright solutions
- Creative Commons, A Shared Culture (video, watch all) and Spectrum of Rights
- Lawrence Lessig, Remix: Making Art and Culture Thrive in the Hybrid Economy (Introduction only)
- U.S. Department of Commerce: Internet Policy Task Force, Copyright Policy, Creativity, and Innovation in the Digital Economy (Executive summary only)
Optional Readings
- Lewis Hyde, Common As Air: Revolution, Art, and Ownership (video, watch from 2:12 to 24:37)
- Jessica Litman, The Exclusive Right to Read (introduction and Sections I and II only)