One Comment

1. Crosbie Fitch says:

   November 13, 2006 at 11:02 am

   Copyright Abolitionist
   If you have polarisation of the publishers and the public, then you probably
   need to polarise the applicable restraints vs liberties that each would wish
   to exert/enjoy.

   Why not give the IP maximalists precisely what they want, and the
   self-publishing free culturaliss what they want – in the same copyright
   legislation?

   Given the lobbying power you can either do this or simply let a more
   draconian copyright get through by default.

   So, may I suggest piggybacking some libertarian \’compromises\’ on the back of
   some draconian copyright reinforcement?

   The libertarians know that copright can\’t survive digital diffusion anyway,
   so there\’s nothing really to worry about in giving the would be Canutes of
   the cartel any greater control over the tide.

   We need to ensure that artists/publishers express a choice in deciding
   between draconian punishment against members of the public who exercise
   their liberty, or liberation of their fellow men.

   So, I propose a rough draft of the sort of copyright legislation that in
   being more draconian is appealing to lobbyists, but in being more liberal by
   default prevents a self-publishing artist abdicating themselves from the
   ethics of suspending the public\’s liberty.

   [ link ]