Category: Module 3

What are the legal issues of digital property?

Post author By Steph
Post date September 26, 2010
No Comments on What are the legal issues of digital property?

What are the legal issues of digital property?

Needless to say, it is very complicated. I think the main problem is that the legal system is very black and white. It is hard to apply regular laws that protect rights to an online world where it seems very grey. John Barlow (1996) who wrote, “A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace” suggests that our regular laws should not apply to cyberspace. I like his idea of an online self-governing community where we all live by the golden rule. Unfortunately, this is unrealistic.

There is a Digital Consumer Bill of Rights that acts much like the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the United States Bill of Rights or the Fundamental Rights and Duties of Citizens in People’s Republic of China etc. Since every country has their own interpretation of a bill of rights, it’s difficult to apply one across every nation.

The Copyright Act of Canada protects original content by artists, writers and actors. Once a works is produced, it is automatically protected for the life of the producer and 50 years after death. Facts and ideas cannot be copyrighted. Fair dealing in Canada notes exceptions for when copying is allowed like in education, research or journalism.

Lawrence Lessig is one of the founding members of Creative Commons which is an organization that allows artists, writers, photographers, musicians etc. to share their work with others according to the restrictions that they choose to apply. This is a free service that allows the general public to easily reproduce, remix, rip, and burn work that is not their own. Organizations like Creative Commons give people a way to maintain responsible citizenship online by legally using other’s creations to produce something new.

A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cysS2nFOc08

Copyright Act of Canada. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_Act_of_Canada

IEEE Standards Association. Retrieved from: http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/1817/

Tags A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace, Canadian Charter of Rights, copyright, John Barlow

Module 3

Physiology

I wonder how the constant use of my computer is going to change my posture or affect my health. Some days I feel shooting pain up my entire arm because of so many mouse clicks. Can someone say, “carpal tunnel?” I think my posture at the computer is not ergonomically correct because I’m still hunched over even though my elbows are at a 90′ to the keyboard. I’m 5’10 and have to always be conscious of my posture anyway especially when talking to little people aka 8 and 9 year olds. I wonder if the physiology of man will change over time because of the interaction with electronics? Will we re-volve back to a hunchback state? After a quick Google search, it seems like back pain, sleep disorders, obesity, poor attention span, eye strain and even depression can be caused from too much computer use.

I think of the workshop I took called, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” One of the habits is called, “Sharpening the Saw.” This means taking time out to rejuvenate yourself no matter how busy you are so that you don’t burn out. Rejuvenation in the form of exercise or going outdoors should help to counter any physical or mental strain from working too much on a computer. As much as I want to push through and get all of my work done, I know my work will also benefit from a break. Time to take my daughter to the park!

Tags physiology

Module 3

Creative Commons

After reading Philip’s (2005) article, I agree with Lawrence Lessig that the current copyright laws are too strict and limit creativity. I think they need to change to accommodate the accessibility and incredible amount of information or works that the internet provides. I think a lot of brillant ideas and beautiful works are produced using other people’s concepts. However, creators still have a right to protect their work if they choose. I think of my husband, who has had pictures of his artwork stolen off the ‘net, reproduced and sold without permission. I prefer that his artwork be protected the instant it is produced rather than having to pay a lawyer to obtain a copyright as it was before 1989.

It seems like Lessig has found a happy medium for protecting artists yet allowing their works to inspire other productions. Lessig is one of the founding members of Creative Commons which is an organization that allows artists, writers, photographers, musicians etc. to share their work with others according to the restrictions that they choose to apply. This is a free service that allows the general public to easily reproduce, remix, rip, and burn work that is not their own. Here’s a link to a comprehensive video which explains more.

Organizations like Creative Commons give people a way to maintain responsible citizenship online by legally using other’s creations to produce something new . I think we are far from Liang’s ideal world where law would permit a free for all in terms of accessing other’s content without permission even though it seems common to do. It is a shame to restrict the infinite possibilities that could be imagined because of universal copyright laws applied to everything the instant it is produced.

http://creativecommons.ca/

Philip (2005). What is a technological author? The pirate function and intellectual property. Postcolonial Studies, 8(2), 199-218.

Tags creative commons, Lessig, Liang, Philip