Lawrence Lessig asks Who Owns Culture?

Let's take an introductory look at some of the broader social, legal, and ethical implications of the new mode intercreativity encouraged by networking.   You may have seen Apple's advertisements awhile back that encourage you to rip, mix, & burn your favourite tunes using Apple's products.   It suggests that we all are beginning to use sound and images, either by creating them from scratch or by reusing and repurposes those of others, as in a mixed tape, a web site, an avatar,  a flash video, and so on as part of a new and growing shared vocabulary.  As this mode of intercreativity becomes increasingly widespread and increasingly apparent we are seeing what might be described as a clash of cultures.  Or maybe it's a clash over culture.  The famous, and very symbolic, fight to enforce copyright protection may be the most lively and visible front of this war.    Lobby groups like the RIAA, on the one hand, on behalf of the American recording industry, are using a variety of tactics to quell the sharing of files, especially through the use of peer-to-peer networks such as KaZaa and LimeWire.   Lawrence Lessig, on the other hand, lawyer and writer, is a leader in a cause to defend the free and open nature of the Internet from the would be owners of digital culture. 

Key Links:

Lawrence Lessig - home
Lawrence Lessig - Wikipedia article
Creative Commons
Who owns Culture?  A discussion between Lawrence Lessig and Jeff Tweedy (lead singer of Wilco and best songrwriter in the world!)

RIAA - Wikipedia Article

Digital Millenium Copyright Act
Induce Act

FreeCulture.org
The Videos