Compared to many, I have a limited understanding of copyright and copyleft. To add to my confusion is the difference between US and Canadian laws. Having spent some time with Michael Geist, listening to Lawrence Lessig and reading bits and pieces from others, I’m starting to understand the issues a bit better.
I do understand that remix has huge implications for how we learn. The old models of copyright just don’t work today for so many reasons. While debate over ownership and money are at the core of many debates, I like how Stephen Colbert battles Lessig in his usual irreverent way.
UPDATE: Thanks to Bill for the comment but you can see the video is no longer available due to copyright issues. Slightly ironic.
Video is no longer available due to copyright claim by Viacom. See more on topic at http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2007/03/viacom-youtube-legal-tiff-irrelevant-in-end074.html
Try this Lessig / Colbert Remix Interview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxwvIdr21Uw
I do love that this clip was taken down due to a copyright claim. I appreciate your comment, Dean, as I’ve also struggled the changes in the area of copyright/left. I’ve also tried to catch up, and while I get the basic ideas, I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable advising students and teachers about what they can and can’t do. I think there is a principle of “reasonableness” that is useful to keep in mind. When we use materials, are we being reasonable about how we treat the creator? For example, if we want to link to a video that is available on YouTube, but we can’t trust our connection in the classroom on a particular day, is it reasonable to make, store and use a copy instead of the online version? Of course that opens the door to all kinds of justifications for inappropriate use, but it is still a place I like to start.
Richard Schwiers last blog post..Visual Design for Instructional Multimedia
Okay, even though it has been said, I have to tell you I am laughing till my muscles hurt. I am also miffed that I can’t see this YouTube clip. I tried the link suggested above and was told:
Lessig / Colbert Remix Interview
Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe’s Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Perhaps another reason to laugh and another opportunity to submit a frantic help ticket to my technology department. I think I am supposed to clear the browsing history or something. Instead I will try to watch it at home.
I liked Richard Schwier’s remarks on the dilemma facing educators: share information and knowledge or respect the rights of the creators of that knowledge.
Alan Stanges last blog post..Podcasting
Well, that’s a familiar name commenting above mine.
YouTube is ridiculous sometimes. But not as bad as dead country singers are. In the last two months, I’ve had two YouTube videos I made myself, with background music from Cash and Rabbitt, and both have been turned off until I change the soundtrack because they used portions of songs from those dead musicians.
[...] – Hat tip to Dean S. [...]
[...] Source: Dean Shareski [...]
Great to see your thoughts on Remixing – I’ve been a fan of Lessig for a number of years and his ideas around user generated content have had a impact on my teaching.
In terms of remixing – I’ve been trying to explore the implications of historical remixing – creating digital collages to demonstrate historical understanding.
Do you know of other classroom practices around remixing?
Neil Stephensons last blog post..Teaching over Skype – The Results
Dear Dean,
Thanks for tackling this very difficult issue, to which (I believe) there are no easy answers. However, the good people at Temple and American Universities have released a copyright and fair use “Code of Best Practices”, funded by the MacArthur Foundation. It clears up many myths and I would argue that its many signatories (including NCTE) give this document some weight. See Media Education Lab for curricular materials, videos and more.
Spiro Boloss last blog post..The Giant Pool of Money