Remix Culture

"Artists have gotten no more money, businesses have not gotten more profit, and our kids have been turned into criminals."

This quotation is sums up the core of Lessig's problem with US Copyright law in its current form. The link leads to a review of his latest book, Remix: Making Art and Commerce Thrive in the Hybrid Economy. A relevant example of the disconnect between the goals and outcomes of copyright law can be found in the experience of Stephanie Lenz. In 2007, Universal Records sued her for uploading a video to YouTube of her toddler dancing to a Prince song in the background. Mr. Lessig points out that it is inconceivable that people would use this YouTube video in lieu of purchasing a Prince album.

While a good point, it misses an important issue - copyright is not just about money, but about controlling one's own artistic creation. Perhaps Prince has a deep-seated aversion to toddlers and opposes the use of his music in such a fashion. While that may sound silly to most, it is Prince's song and Prince should control how the song is broadcast. Anyways, a thoughtful book by a thoughtful man.