Week 1: Copyright Issues parts 1-3

The issue of copyright is very complex and deeply rooted in politics and money. Most are either with it or against it. With this type of system the only way that anyone can make money is if everyone agrees. Either we all accept copyright and feed the system or we throw it out the window and let things run wild. Both produce profits but in different ways. Good Copy, Bad Copy and the Expert Village videos both support the idea that getting rid of copyright will foster creativity (outlined mostly was the music industry) because everyone will be able to use everything and only pay when they themselves make money. I interviewed a 7th grader last weekend that is earning almost $4,000 a month from YouTube by attracting 25,000 subscribers and regularly posting content. To make this kind of money he first had to give the content away in a public forum and let the masses vote by simply watching. Once he was earning enough views, YouTube started sharing profits. As a viewer of this content the only price I pay is the invasion of an ad into my life. A corporation simply piggy backs on the media movement. This type of content distribution and consumption is healthy for business and provides a flooding of content that companies don’t have to create but can leverage all while benefiting the author. If you ask me that is a win win. I predict that if you give the same student access to any and all content created, like music and video, he will use it to support his own creations and encourage others to do the same. I think the effect with multiply almost exponentially and be widely accepted. As basic as it may be, I can already edit video on my iPhone.

So copyright is a big evil monster that hovers over us but I see people using other’s work all the time, what is that about? That is called fair use and is perfectly normal. Fair use is not a law but a defendable position. This basically means that if someone comes after you and you have your stuff together, chances are you are protected under fair use. The most exciting part of fair use is that organizations have released guides about fair use and what that organizations stance is on fair use policy. Sort of a how to guide. As soon as I heard this I was immediately intrigued and knew I needed these guides for my classroom. A large part of what I teach in my courses is the ethic use and protect of content. Children today have no concept of copyright or fair use. They think that if it is on the internet that means someone gave it away and never want compensation. Many of them have gotten notices in the mail about illegal downloading from their ISP and have had a rude awakening.

I think the biggest divide that students struggle with is the idea that Fair Use is deeply rooted in the word Fair. They want to get rich quick and get everyone to notice them at any cost. They do not have a respect for the hard work it takes to create content that someone wants to purchase. I want to teach them about Fair Use and Creative Commons so they understand how the system works and gain and ethical understanding of the situation.

I think the most productive parts of these videos however, are the Creative Commons clips and the coverage of what we can do and take action with in the US to promote free content sharing. Creative Commons is an adaptation of the current system that has the potential to set new standards for content sharing and licensing. Again the same issue arises and the question becomes, can everyone taking hold of a new standard. I predict that this new level of thinking will also come with a new wave of much needed ethics. But first the system needs to be made into law and people need to be educated about Creative Commons. Take action today! Use creative commons in the classroom and have your students do the same! The only way we the people can take control of our content is demand that right.

Image from Creative Commons