Good Copy, Bad Copy

Good Copy, Bad Copy is a documentary that explores the issues of intellectual property that face our culture when it comes to the way we share media. For example, music artists who sample music from others to mix funky new beats cannot legally sell their work according to current copyright laws. Despite the fact that some have a cult-like following of eager fans, these dedicated artists are not able to make any money. In a song that takes from twenty different songs the royalties to pay would be unimaginable.

What really struck me was the copyright protection of older movies and music. Once the artist is deceased, there is no way to obtain his/her permission and the material goes untouched, unused, but also unappreciated. How long is one entitled to the rights of his/her work? Can they still claim something even after they themselves are long gone?

Compare this system to that of the patent system. Utility items, ornamental designs, and even plants can be patented for a period of twenty years. The creator receives the initial credit and has time to market and produce his product. After twenty years, the patent expires and the rights to his idea are no longer his alone. Others have the opportunity to make profit by imitating, altering, or improving the product in some way. In the end, competition yields higher quality.

Unfortunately, due to the availability of downloadable music and movies, and the booming piracy market, a lot of what the artists deserve is lost. It’s easy to see why they would want to ensure their ownership rights for as long as possible.