I am an artist. That said, I strongly feel that copyright laws—but worse, the interpretation of those copyright laws are becoming too repressive and are hurting rather than aiding innovation. (This is related to the above paragraph–don’t worry, i”m getting there) Copyright laws were instigated to protect the creators in order that they may profit from their work. It was not created to ban anything that may remotely resemble that work. ALL creativity is based–to one degree or another, on something else, put together in a novel way. Derivative works do not harm the originator unless they are being sold as the original work–or is substantially the same as a new work (in other words plagarism). How similar has become more and more restrictive over time. Unfortunately, the legal interpretation or “derivative”, or “substantial” has become far too restrictive–thanks to big companies like Disney. You don’t dare publish anything even remotely similar to a Disney work–even legitimately new works. How is it they were allowed to expand copyright coverage to include public domain fairy tales? It should only cover their specific work, but that’s not how the courts are interpreting it. If a work even vaguely looks or sounds similar Disney is killing it. Just the threat of a lawsuit by big corporations such as Disney is killing innovative work. Most people simply don’t have the resources to fight them. Worse, people who orignally create the stories, film scripts, artworks, etc. are being forbidden from using their own works if they become even marginally involved with these corporations. We would never allow this kind of censorship if it was being conducted in the name of the government (and to an extent it most certainly is being done in the name of government), we need to stop it from being done in the name of big business.

Perhaps we need to boycott Hollywood and big-named producers? I know, it will hurt to be without our music, our tv and our movies. But how else to get across to these greedy little b__st__rds that they are suing–and hurting their own customer base? That it is their own business practices that are hurting their bottom line? How many tv shows are illegally streamed or downloaded because their websites don’t have the most recent shows offered–or don’t provide the opportunity to watch the older shows? How many are “pirated” because people can’t get those stations which offer them? Instead of seeing this as a problem, they should be seeing it as an opportunity. Most of us don’t mind ads in order to view free content. Just like tv. These coroporations are being idiots and we need to show them that. We pay for cable and we pay for Hulu and we pay for Netflix, but we’re obviously still not satisfied. Instead of suing us they should find out why and sieze the opportunity.

Moreover, why can’t they see that file-sharing or illicit streaming benefits them in the long- (and short-) run? I can’t tell you how many new musicians, shows and films I’ve started to legitimately enjoy (meaning I pay) because I was first exposed to them on a website or other so-called illegal venue. Free advertising! They should be overjoyed!

WE are their customer base. WE are the government. WE need to stop this insanity! We do have the power.

Let’s take a look at the evolution of the internet…

1. Information sharing. People have the means to get smarter.
2. Piracy…people figure out how to share things with friends (May or may not lead to more sales, or a friend tired of accepting crap songs/movies/information)
3. Downloading mp3′s.. Oh look, a business opportunity!
4. Oh, I know. Let’s make an mp3 player and call it iPod! Huge profit.
5. Oh, video piracy? Let’s make something called iPad. Huge profit.

Can you even imagine how much profit this has generated?
Imagine artists getting a cut out of that!
Anyway, imagine these lobbyists being the very same people, making profit in a controlled way, whichever turn of events occur, instead of the actual creator.

Cut the middlehands, we’ve got a whole internet to spread our information, artistry and services, we don’t need a record company any more except for marketing purposes which can in clever ways be achieved single-handedly.

But then again, a country founded upon bribery (read: lobbyism) will retain it’s corruption behind curtains for as long as it wants.