MAC Wk 1  Reading Blog - The Copyright Conundrum

In viewing this weeks videos on copyright, Fair Use, and Creative Commons, it is evident that current copyright legislature is stifling purpose and intent of some content being created by artists. I understand the need for copyright laws to protect artists from unsanctioned uses of their material and loss of profit, but when these laws are enforced where artists do not need them, the conundrum appears. I believe that fair use is a temporary solution to the current problem, but due to its nature of not being a "right" but a "defensible position" it places its users in a precarious position when seeking its protection. I'm hoping that more artists will use the licensing options of Creative Commons to circumvent the handcuffs of the current copyright laws. By giving artists easy to understand options for licensing their works, Creative Commons has placed sharing power back into creators' hands. The artists have a voice in how their material is used and this will result in returning us to a read/write community were ideas and creativity flourish. I look forward to using Creative Commons for my on material.