distributeDispute

[Matthew Smith <matt {AT} AEC.at>]

john wrote:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 In fact, one 
of the main objectives of USIS in Russia is to try and teach that copying 
-- including just plain photocopying of entire works -- is illegal.
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i dont believe that the solution of this "problem" lies in criminalizing 
people who photocopy stuff;)

maybe it would be more interesting 2 work in a way where the concept of 
"the author/artist" is not so important. actually it would be more 
adequate 2 develope something in that direction on the Net, than 2 try 2 
apply/adapt existing copyright law - especially if u consider how 
inadequate it is in the audio sector. james brown is the most widely 
sampled artist, and he was involved (dont know if he still is) in over 
120 courtcases. since then the law has changed, but virtually every 
rap/hiphop/rave/electronic musician is always on the brink of copyright 
infringement. 
The music industry has adapted quite well 2 this situation, and samplers 
containing remixes(authorized&"illegal" ones) have had a great 
renaissance. People dont get upset about "being ripped off", much more do 
they encourage remixing & sampling. Its great advertising 4 the original 
piece!
Maybe thats where "doubt about who the spiritual father/mother is" comes in. 
everybody can tell if something from curtis mayfield has been sampled, 
but what happens if somebody else samples the sample and makes something 
new again?
What really counts is only the respect for other peoples work. 
I think that sampling/ripping off stuff other people did is ok - if u 
make money from it, the least u can do is give credit 2 the 
participant/producer of the base material. It would be even fairer 2 split 
the cash, no question about that. But then again, who wants 2 starve...

solong
matt

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