No need for mind monitoring, just new business models.

So, what would those business models be?

Neither you nor your suggested videos offer any realistic alternatives to the status quo.

In fact, despite your first video's assertion that the Internet is the perfect copy machine, it misses the important point that it is also the perfect publisher/distributor.

Unfortunately, even moreso than most bricks and mortar publishers/distributors who are at least constrained by the law, the Internet follows no moral, ethical or legal guidelines. A trait it often shares with the majority of users that treat it like a perfect copying machine.

In short, A) just because you can do something, B) does not necessarily mean that you should.

Regarding illegal e-copies, as with many other aspects of modern life, most people never get past A).

-Wapitikev

In short, A) just because you can do something, B) does not necessarily mean that you should.

Regarding illegal e-copies, as with many other aspects of modern life, most people never get past A).

-Wapitikev

And, I was hoping that those who call themselves fans of FPW would be able make it past A and consider B, at least as it regards compensating FPW's hard work instead of stealing a copy simply because it is easy and (currently) free of external consequences.

-Wapitikev

And, I was hoping that those who call themselves fans of FPW would be able make it past A and consider B, at least as it regards compensating FPW's hard work instead of stealing a copy simply because it is easy and (currently) free of external consequences.

As for me, I don't download anything from the web, and only buy used books if they are either out of print or current copies aren't readily available.

In my view, good writers -- novelists and others as well -- aren't paid enough.

I have two copies of GROUND ZERO on order: one for me, and another for a friend.

Ken V.

Ok...the reason the first video, an hour of my life which I will never get back, took so long getting to the point is that it didn't have one. It was a video essay on why copyright doesn't work now that there is the internet. Besides simply not having copyright at all, it offered no suggestion as to what can be done to more effectively compensate people for their intellectual property in the Internet age.

-Wapitikev

I'm surprised at your attitude, Wapaititititittitkev. I never said "Watch this video, it has all the answers!" I just thought it was interesting, and relevant to this discussion.

So, anyone still visiting this thread can save themselves an hour and ignore both videos.

Unless they think they would benefit by A) a stimulating and thought provoking lecture from Cory Doctorow, the former European Affairs Coordinator for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, an acclaimed writer and regular public speaker against DRM/copyright or B) a video about cats.

Then they might want to watch one or the other, depending.

So, what would those business models be?

Neither you nor your suggested videos offer any realistic alternatives to the status quo.

What about the example of Madonna, who has sacked her record manager and hired a concert manager, someone for whom the number of free downloads circulating the interent is a good thing, driving the concert ticket prices up? Or Radiohead releasing In Rainbows for a voluntary charge (many volunteering to pay £0.00) and then still raking in millions from the downloads anyway?

Sorrel often points out it's easier for established artists like Madonna and Radiohead to carry on making money from concert ticket sales, but what about emerging artists? Saul Williams http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.p...46_0_2_0_C released an album as a low quality free download for the first 100,000 visitors to his site, at the same time as having a high quality version with pdf album artwork (all DRM free) available for $5. Despite the free downloads available, he made more money from this self-release than he would have done signing a deal with a record label.

And, I was hoping that those who call themselves fans of FPW would be able make it past A and consider B, at least as it regards compensating FPW's hard work instead of stealing a copy simply because it is easy and (currently) free of external consequences.

I think that FPW would be in favour of the free market driving improvements and innovations in business strategy. The market place is changing, and you can either change with it a develop new business models or you can get the government to pass new legislation to preserve your failing business.

Well, I think that the video was VERY interesting, and he does have a very valid point about the internet and copyright. I personally think that a copyright should be for the lifetime of the creator, and BEYOND! I think that the offspring of Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart should be the ONLY ones who have entitled right to their music. I think that John Lennon, and Paul McCartney should have been the only ones to have control over their music, NOT Michael Jackson (How did THAT happen?) I think that Gene Roddenberry Jr. should be the ONLY person to have say as to which direction STAR TREK will go in the future (Look at what the studios did to drive Trek into the ground, before this movie came out) And I think that F. Paul's children, and Grand-children and Great Grand-children should be the ones who are the guardians of his collected works, down thru history!

Lexator

I actually only watched about a minute of the cat video, but if you can get me a free hour, that would be great. Please mail it COD.
Stephanie

Steph:

Surely you can steal a free hour somewhere on the interwebs.

As for me, I don't download anything from the web, and only buy used books if they are either out of print or current copies aren't readily available.

In my view, good writers -- novelists and others as well -- aren't paid enough.

I have two copies of GROUND ZERO on order: one for me, and another for a friend.

Ken V.

God love you, Ken, but I already have two on order myself--one for me and one for Kenji.

Maybe one of sig's troopers would like your extra copy? Just a thought.

Hmmm...might take me some searching to find it. I'd say about an hour.

Thanks! I'll get on that right-of-way.

Stephanie

Steph:

Surely you can steal a free hour somewhere on the interwebs.

Maybe one of sig's troopers would like your extra copy? Just a thought.

Mike,

Don't do that. Just...don't.

Mike,

Don't do that. Just...don't.

Aw, I thought it was funny!:p:p