After watching the video in English about copyright laws and fair use, I remembered the one thing that stuck with me the most was: Where is the line drawn? What makes some things okay to use, and other things not okay? It's kind of scary to think that everyone is kind of teetering on such a precarious edge of uncertainty. There are so many people who quite technically cross that line every day, downloading music, doing covers without permission, or singing birthday in the quiet privacy of their homes. I mean quite honestly, it's not like these big corporations need the 'petty cash' that we would be paying for the stuff we are obtaining illegally. Plus, if you look at how some of this stuff is being put to use, these big corporations would probably just feel bad for us. For example, the other day, Junior Davis Pope took it upon himself to introduce me to the saddest and most pathetic thing I have ever seen.
Take a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BVvNE78lyc&feature=related
So, technically speaking, this girl could be sued for infringing copyright laws. Clearly, she didn't pay TSwift to sing (actually, wail) this song for youtube creepers across the globe, but there it sits anyways. Okay, Taylor Swift. I mean, if you really want to sue this poor child, go right ahead. I guess you have the right to. It just doesn't seem fair, especially in this case.
Dear Lexie, I enjoyed your
Dear Lexie,
I enjoyed your post, and that video did make me think about where the line should be drawn. Clearly these massive corporations go to far in trying to place a copyright on as much material as they can, but at the same time it makes you wonder what kind of creation or invention should be deemed worthy of a patent or copyright. For example if a scientist creates and invention that would improve the lives of millions of people he/she should obviously be able to make money off of the work he put in without having to worry about someone stealing his idea and claiming it as theirs. I would think that the best way to draw the line would be to change or improve the way you copyright something or make a patent. Thanks for your post.
-Ryan
Lexie-- This post is
Lexie--
This post is similar to one that I wrote about copyright laws. That being said, I will now sue you because of it. In all seriousness, however, I feel that "the line" needs to be definite. Like you said, many people go about copyright infringement on a daily basis. Myself being one of them. This does not mean that I steal other peoples' work and pass it off as my own. I have been known to sing songs such as happy birthday to myself from time to time. Does this make me a criminal? There is clearly a difference between this and stealing work, but what defines it? These are serious questions that need answering. Thank you for writing this, and I look forward to your future posts.
--Sam