Here's a story to stir up some debate: ArsTechnica.com
A college student in Canada put together an online database of music in the public domain, that is works that are freely usable and copyable because the copyright has expired or it never had one, like Shakespeare and Mozart. However, a European music publisher has forced him to take down the site. Why? Because EU copyright law is different and over there, some of the works are still protected. Perfectly legal where he is and, significantly, where the server holding the files is, but potentially making available for someone else, in Europe, to possibly steal. Governments, the Internet, Copyrights, they're all on a collision course, no telling what things will look like when the dust settles.
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8 comments:
I agree that some sort of copyright laws need to be enforced. But in recent years it seems like a lot of is motivated by greed, not protecting the artists and their work.
Greed is a major component in everything nowadays. I think some copyright should be made and upheld but I think with that guy he should be allowed to have that site because he lives in America and not in Europe. So he is following what rules he has too. It isn't our concern if the Europeans download from that site because then the Europeans are breaking the copyright laws not the American.
I think that those staying in Europe and are dowloading from his site should be the ones under fire. In a sense, he isn't breaking any laws--they are.
Liz I have to say that I agree with you. Artist should be paid for there work. If you like their music go buy it! Those webs sites normally do not pay the artist for downloads that isn't fair to the artist.
I agree. The Europeans on that site should be in trouble. That kid is in America, following AMERICAS laws... What can they do to him over here??
Technically he's a NORTH American, being Canadian, but similar laws make that it a minor detail ;-)
As for what they can do to him, a lot. In this case, being a poor college student, he just decided to fold, take down the site and move on. Just because you're right doesn't mean you have the money to prove it in court.
Things are getting way out of hand with this copyrights issue. The people from Europe are breaking the copyrights law and that guy is well in his rights to do what he's doing.
It is understandable why copyright laws are getting stricter. With so many crooks and artist, who never get credit for their work, I beleive there should be laws which protect them. However when someone comes up with a savy way of sharing innovative technology with others I thinks it is fine as long as it is not stolen.
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