Could The RIAA Stop Piracy By Coming Up With A More Compelling Story?
from the maybe-that-and-a-memory-eraser-ray dept
GregSJ points us to an analysis of a recent paper on "the rhetoric of copyright policy." The original paper is actually called Meh. The Irrelevance of Copyright in the Public Mind. The original is a worthwhile read (as is the analysis), but the basic point is that people continue to ignore copyright law because they simply don't "believe" the story of "harm" that the copyright holders are spinning. This actually echoes Rep. Robert Wexler's recent remarks to the World Copyright Summit, where it's all about "the story."The paper argues that some of the fault is with the media who has portrayed these battles over copyright "as a land grab that benefited only copyright holders." Hmm. Perhaps that's because it's, I don't know... true? Also, it's worth pointing out that it isn't completely true that the media portrays the copyright battles in this manner. The media has often been quite supportive of copyright expansionist policies -- after all, many of the media's current business models rely somewhat on copyright as well.
Still, even if it is true, the paper argues that the RIAA/MPAA/BSA just needs to come up with a good story (which doesn't need to be true!) to convince people of the harm of unauthorized downloading. As a part of that, they suggest that copyright maximalists have to become trustworthy. Try to read the following without cracking up (I couldn't):
To be successful, copyright holders and legislators must consider the construction of ethos and credibility. This is done not only through the reputation that one gains, but also through the discourse itself. Legislators and copyright holders must portray themselves as trustworthy. More specifically, the recording industry must appear to be treating artists and fans fairly, and legislators must appear to be acting in the public interest.... Legislators and copyright holders must maintain a stance that encourages the public to obey copyright laws. When legislators consider altering copyright terms, the public domain is necessarily affected, and great consideration must be given to how the public will react to the proposed action. When the public sees little incentive to honor the ostensibly limited protection granted under copyright law, copyright law will increasingly become unenforceable. However, if the public is provided with compelling reasons why term limits are in the public interest, they may be more likely to support these terms. Likewise, copyright holders must make more compelling arguments concerning why the public should obey copyright law. If the people have a compelling narrative to follow, they will do so--whether it is true or not. The challenge, then, is not to craft better law; the challenge is to craft better rhetoric.The problem, of course, is that this doesn't pass the laugh test. It's pretty difficult to find anyone who believes that the copyright holders and legislators are doing anything in the public interest. And, I guess if it were possible to come up with rhetoric that made the opposite case, then perhaps people would change their actions. I just question how they could come up with such a story when all of the evidence points to the contrary.
Beyond that, let's face it, the RIAA actually has controlled the "story" for ages. It has convinced people it represents artists' interests, even though it does not. It's convinced people that potential copyright infringement is "stealing" or "piracy" when it's quite a different beast altogether. They've convinced people that copyright is the only way to make money off of content. The problem is that when anyone scratches the surface, they realize quite quickly, that none of this makes any sense at all.
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Filed Under: copyright, piracy, rhetoric, story
Companies: bsa, mpaa, riaa
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The use of the nonsense word "appear" destroys it for me. It makes the entire argument/story meaningless. In other words, he's admitting that the recording industry does not have to actually treat artists and fans fairly or that legislator must actually act in the public interest. He'd admitting the entire story is a charade.
With the speed at which news travel, it's much more difficult for the powers to be to outright lie as is suggested by this paper.
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When you're reduced to trying to change the story, regardless of reality, you've gotten into cult territory.
An intervention may be in order.
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Where's L. Ron Hubbard when you need him?!
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Close. The point is that people have to actually believe the story, whether or not it's actually true.
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That's the first thing I thought when I read that line, "the recording industry must appear to be treating artists and fans fairly, and legislators must appear to be acting in the public interest."
It comes off as meaning that they don't actually have to change their ways, just make the appearance.
I don't necessarily think the writer intended the message to "appear" so hollow, but that's the way it comes off. These industries have been trying to "appear" trustworthy for a long time, but haven't been successful. Why would trying to "appear" trustworthy make any difference now or ever?
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Grass Roots Laws
"Any legislator may be charged with 'Acting against public interest' as a civil suit; said CRIME will warrant the same punishment as treason."
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Re: Grass Roots Laws
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The Laugh Test
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Transparency
"The RIAA must construct a public image of itself that fosters credibility. One possible solution would be greater transparency in the record industry. The public may need to be convinced that the business model of the record label is appropriate and that the artists are being treated fairly. If this is the case, the record industry must do a better job of articulating this; it is not enough to simply assert that the record labels are treating the artists fairly."
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Re: Transparency
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
*deep breath*
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
OK, I'm done.
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Take your lesson from other dictators/idealogs
Step 1 - Gain influence and control: whether by means legitimate or nefarious, make sure you have the power to enforce. This can be through the purchase of the "legitimate" government, or through expeditionary forces.
Step 2 - Create an idealogy through repetition: with copyright maximilists, it's "piracy is stealing/theft" and "we do it for the artists"; those are equally nonsensical as the terrorist mantra of "America is the Great Satan" and "Allah love Shariah Law". The two entities aren't equally evil, but they both accomplish influence through the repetition of false idealogies.
Step 3 - Preparation is complete, begin the takeover through legislation: now that you've created the idealogy through repetition and have the ability to enforce, you creep into total control through legislation. It doesn't matter any longer that this legislation is ridiculous, because you have enough people buying into the false idealogy coupled with the power to enforce that the dissenters are too drowned out or afraid to act.
As of today, we are in between steps 2 and 3.
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Re: Take your lesson from other dictators/idealogs
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It is all about the first 3 words
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I have a very mixed feeling about the paper, though. I don't see what good copyright has done (ever) to the society, and the paper (and also the content creators) put it as fact. If the public knew and believed what good copyright has done to society, they will probably respect it more.
As it stands, the public perception (IMO) is that copyright only helps establish corporations that get so powerful that they get to decide what culture is good and what culture is not. The fact that indie labels are not great supporters (or at least, not great public supporters) of copyright reinforce that feeling. And young people will always be anti-corporation. So if the corporation gets hurt, the general perception (again IMO) is not "meh" but "cool".
I think if they want to change they need the rhetorics and the transparency, but they also need to shed the "corporation" look and feel they have. They need to be hip like Apple or Google, not a dinosaur like Microsoft or IBM. That simply will not work in music. And if they do it wrong (as in, obviously feigning to be hip), the backslash will be even greater. Once again, talking the talk will not work.
Not being such great supporters of copyright will be a nice first step...
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The problem is that copyright terms are too long and that users are too restricted in their use of copyrighted material. This, coupled with the draconian enforcement policies of the RIAA, makes for public policy that is not supported by the public.
The answer is not to get rid of copyright. But copyright law should be something that benefits, rather than hamstrings, the public - creators and consumers alike.
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A fan purchases then song, and up uploads the song online for others to enjoy. Another person (single mother)downloads the song and listens to the song which you wrote produced and performed.
Now lets say that person gets sued for $80,000 for that one song. Of which the person who wrote, produced and performed recieves nothing from.
I can see how it works out great for all parties involved.
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I am very interested in your answer. Because, it seems the only value add is the ability to sue people, and maintaining a legal framework which enables for legal intervention.
Perhaps there's some other item I don't know about, but I remain very interested in any additional value-add.
Separately, it seems all other business activities can be replicated outside of the current Professional system, and at a lower cost.
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Re: Re: Re:ZAFT
Are you simply looking for someone to pick a fight with? I'm the wrong guy. I believe copyright is in desperate need of an overhaul. But your assumption that (c) is an all or nothing proposition is naive, and actually perpetuates the problem.
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You are both talking two different points. So go ahead and wipe that tear and maybe take the time to understand what somebody is saying next time you make such an ignorant statement.
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"I can see how it works out great for all Lawyers involved."
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All I need to know about filesharing
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Reasons to Buy
How is this any different than the oft suggested "give consumers a reason to buy"?
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Re: Reasons to Buy
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Wow. If you think it's "all marketing" then you're more disconnected than I thought. You really think that all of the reasons to buy are "marketing"? Yikes. No wonder you have so much trouble getting this.
A real reason to buy is not marketing. It's providing scarce value.
That's entirely different than coming up with a bullshit story because you're too lazy to change your business model.
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No, the real reasons to buy are need and desire. Since nobody needs music, you have to work on desire. Since there is plenty of desire for music, then it is only a question of how it is marketed.
Your logic falls down on basic things like cars: There are more cars produced than are needed, marketing makes the difference in which ones are sold, at the intersection of need and desire.
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It comes down to things like the quality of the music, how much the agreement of purchasing music benefits the purchaser, your business model, the practices and ethics of your corporation, etc... not just how you market it.
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— Groucho Marx
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If you want to know the real deal, look at Steve Albini's piece or Courtney Love's piece on the accounting of the record deal. The fact of the matter is that a band with a successful record nets the label $4m+, but makes less than they would if they flipped burgers. When the album doesn't break even (and most don't because the way recoupment is calculated), even headliner's like Toni Braxton declare bankruptcy multiple times to get out of the massive debts that the labels conjure up.
And most bands don't even look to get an attorney until after they're getting screwed (that's most of them). At that point, they can't even afford gas money (nevermind the $200-350 it costs just to file a lawsuit), and their cases are complete duds because of the record contracts. As an IP attorney, even in slow times like this, I only take artist clients as favors for friends.
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In other words, you make a contract with X to pay you $ to print your book. But once X prints your book, Y gets a copy and distributes it, getting paid. Since you have no contract with Y, they are not obligated to pay you. The deeper Y's pockets are, the more likely Y can eclipse the distribution of X.
Also, without copyright protection, why would X pay you, knowing they could not stop Y and others from simply making copies and selling them? Your hypothetical works as things stand, but partially because your contract with X gives them rights in return for the money they pay you.
I see that you could say "I'll keep it a secret from you if you don't pay me" or have them sign an NDA. But the point is that they are more likely to purchase rights from you than they are to purchase "first access".
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Now, how X and Y feel about each other is a much different question, but that shouldn't concern you.
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Copyright is a deal between society & contributers to the social commons. Society benefits because people are encouraged to produce cultural artifacts (or "art," if you prefer). It's a valid deal, in my opinion, because some kinds of work require quite a large financial investment -- either directly in dollars or indirectly in time -- and copyright laws give some reasonable protection from this risk. However for this to work, for society to benefit, "intellectual property" must be a temporary phenomenon. Eventually, art must enter the public domain or there is no benefit to the public.
Even worse than that, if copyright is complete and forever, society is harmed because the public domain evaporates. What kind of culture is it that can be owned by private parties. Where society, in other words we, you and I, have no right to the things of which it is composed?
It is the one we live in now, and it is insane.
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Also, I make my entire living producing intellectual property, albeit of the computer code variety. Full disclosure. :)
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It's the trick, when you are "sticking it to the man" it doesn't seem bad, but it seems bad when you are taking something from a friend.
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Thus, I am at a loss to explain the enmity Mr. Masnick has chosen to express.
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Thus, I am at a loss to explain the enmity Mr. Masnick has chosen to express.
Hmm. I'm not sure why you think there's "enmity." I agree that the paper is thoughtful. That's why I said it was a worthwhile read. But what I found amusing was the idea that the RIAA *could* change their story in any successful way.
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1. Exactly that (people reprinting works) happened in Europe, and it happened a lot. We still got a lot of art. Society didn't have a problem.
2. I think, and this is speaking because I have a hole in my face and based on what I think only, that the fact that copyright exists makes it difficult to imagine how an artist can make money without it. I think (same disclaimer) that if copyright never existed, we would have thought of some other way to sustain artists by now.
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Hey Mike, home come you don't run any of the "free concert" stories I send you?
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star wars
I just wanted to say that once and finally found a site where it would be relevant and where I wouldn't need an account to post it.
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star wars
I just wanted to say that once and finally found a site where it would be relevant and where I wouldn't need an account to post it.
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