from the apparently-they-haven't-read-remix dept
Larry Lessig's most recent book,
Remix, focuses on just how common it is for people today to take existing content and "remix" it in new, useful and creative means. The problem, however, is that in almost every case this violates some aspect of copyright law. This, of course, is backwards. It's the opposite of what copyright law is intended to do. When it comes to remixed content, rather than
encouraging creativity, copyright law ends up
discouraging creativity. So, I'm guessing that UK gov't officials haven't read the book, as they've just
turned down a request to "exempt" user-generated "mashups" from copyright law. The officials do make some valid points: including questioning whether you really can separate those who "create" vs. those who "remix." However, it is still quite troubling that such creativity is so often-stifled.
Filed Under: copyright, masups, remix, uk
