Copyright and Ethics In The Digital Age

COM495Kathy E. Gill

Framing

Web 2.0 Technologies

Technologies change how we interact with (digital) cultural objects.

We are no longer merely a consumer; we can also be a producer.

This is a shift from the late 20th

century model:

In Our Digital World, It Is Easier to Borrow, Copy,

Manipulate

This means it is technically easier to express ourselves in new, creative ways.

The Clash

Culture as a freely flowing current of ideas and practices runs head first into culture as intellectual property

Ask permission each time

Ask permission each use

Framing

• A 10-minute explanation of copyright … using words from one of the largest (and most aggressive) copyright owners in the world

Terms: Copyright

• Copyright law protects “creative and expressive works”

• Automatic (do not have to file, register)

• Scope: http://copyright.gov/

• Does not extend to ideas or facts

How Long Does It Last?

In 1709, copyright lasted 14 years

Since 1978 copyright lasts for either the life of the author + 70 years or, in the case of work-for-hire, 95 years from publication or

125 years from creation

Controversy

Copyright purpose is to

“promote the progress of science and the useful arts” … and the duration for exclusivity is to

be “limited” … - US Constitution

Terms: Public Domain

When the copyright term expires, works revert to public domain.

The copyright holder may dedicate works to the public domain; eg, works funded by the US Government.

PD works are freely available for use by anyone for anything.

no rights reserved

all rights reserved

some rights

reserved

attribution

non-commercial

no derivative works

Ethics

• Value system by which a person determines what is right or wrong

• For bloggers:

• Be honest

• Be transparent

• Credit others

• Respect position of opponents

Digital technologies enable a "Tinkering

culture" -- a "read write rip burn culture"

The legal systemhas not yet

caught up withtechnology.

Sources• Copyright, Fair Use & The Evolution of Creative

Commons: http://www.slideshare.net/cliotech/copyright-the-evolution-of-creative-commonshttp:/www.slideshare.net/cliotech/copyright-the-evolution-of-creative-commons

• Copyright and Options for Creative Practitioners: http://www.slideshare.net/creativecommonsaustralia/creative-copyright-copyright-and-options-for-creative-practitioners

• A Fair(y) Use Tale: http://youtube.com/watch?v=CJn_jC4FNDo

• Image: Consume. Be silent. Die. (unknown)

• Web 2.0 Image (1): http://joevans.pbwiki.com/Web+2+Point+O+Tools

• Kathy E. Gill

• http://wiredpen.com and http://faculty.washington.edu

• @kegill

• Some Rights Reserved: