Has Copyright Become Obsolete?

Our essential question to ponder this week asks: "Do we as a global society need to rethink our copyright laws?" Honestly, I have always felt that copyright, in a traditional sense under US law, stifles creativity. What do copyright laws essentially protect us from? A world without copyright enables an artist to share their work with the world. As a starving artist, poet, musician or writer, the way one goes from obscurity to fame is through exposure and accessibility. The more main stream society has access to a creation of any kind, the better chance it has for survival. If a true artist is out to put something into the world that has not previously existed, the internet allows the exposure so many artists crave and desire.


The U.S. Copyright Office states that "There is no such thing as an 'international copyright' that will automatically protect an author’s writings throughout the world. Protection against unauthorized use in a particular country basically depends on the national laws of that country." These laws have not been updated since 2006. The internet has changed and continues to change every day, much less every year. In a cut and paste world, the internet may essentially make copyright laws obsolete.


Like everything in life, balance is the key. Somehow intellectual property should be protected yet promote creativity at the same time. Copyright laws, as they currently exist, do not adequately protect artists today. There is an entire job market waiting in the mist that has yet to come into fruition. The time is now for international copyright laws to take the lead and protect artists under a general umbrella that applies no matter what country or region of the world you operate under. Career opportunities exist for someone to write, teach and enforce the international copyright laws. The concept of fair-use is being challenged more and more each day. International copyright laws need to keep up with the changing times. The world looks far different in 2009 than it did in 2006. We are moving from a cut and paste society to a click, share and create world which will create endless opportunities for everyone involved.