You don’t have the right to copy!
Passive and active consumption.
The Landscape
Being called a “consumer” used to spawn much different a response than often prevalent today. People are much more accustomed to being called a consumer — and if the track of higher Ed continues, it will also follow a similar path. A SAC approach may “risk academic standards.” — Furedi 2009.
In a capitalist economy, one must recognize the implication of competitive production and consumtion of goods and services. Similar to that thought and process is the notion of cultural consumption and production.
In an exchange of cultural IP’s governed by DRM, there is an obvious economic depending factor — profit in the industry. As in any industry, when corporations are involved, people invest money and hope there is is some way to make it grow without them doing anything.
Businessmen making decisions on the behalf of the majority of masses as to what it is people should be exposed to, that is in reference to art, with a capital “A.”
Looking at the Movement
DRM for the Win
As history professes, DRM took hold and found a reputable balance between ease of access and cost with the surge of the Apple iPod and iTunes record sales.
The war on piracy continued with heavy artillery, similar to the war on drugs(WOD). Interesting enough, both wars held the same implication of keeping control over particular “products.”
I can’t sell you drugs, but your pharmacy can and you can’t grow them on your own, for your own consumption and sharing. Copyright is interesting to think about in this respect. The WOD has proven to be oppressive and ineffective in adressing the issue itself — addiction, but it continues to be an interest for corporations.
Jails and prisons make money off of government subsidies paying for prisoners, and Big Pharma maintains control over manufactoring and distribution of the drugs it chooses. My question then becomes simple.
Is copyright necessary?
As a musician, I do not mind if little Timmy down the road wants to download my music to listen to it. I also wouldn’t care if he tried to sell it either. What is the difference between some kid I don’t know selling my music, and some corporation/record label selling my music to make money off of it?
The answer is just the entity selling it. After all, musicians make majority of their money off of concerts, and merchandise, not off of record sales. Only the very few of musicians make money off of record sales. Those like T. Swift, Jay Z, and Beyonce.
So, who speaks out when copyright is infringed on? Mickey Mouse? Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks are both dead.
I would have to respect the right for an individual do what he/she wants with their own “(A)rt,” but I have to say, there need be some serious reconstruction of the idea of law and money governing culture.
