Marsha Hairston
March 4, 2007
Theory of Internet Writing
Instructors: Dr. Lisa Maruca &
Dr. Caroline Maun

Balances



Merriam Webster dictionary states balance is….. a steady position or condition to keep by balance …. something leftover. This chapter in my opinion is dealing with both. Balance to create or establish a process that will be fair for all parties intended. This would include the copyright owner as well as the individual that would like to expound or build upon the original product (book, film, etc.,). Lessig is dealing with the bureaucracy of copyright laws and how the copyright laws primarily benefit very few people. The people that benefit from the copyright laws are those whose products were very marketable. For products that were not as marketable they would not be in the public domain and these products would become lost. As stated in Lessig article “only 2% has work of any continuing commercial value. The copyright will not expire as long as congress is free to be bought to extend the term again.”

The problem with the copyright law is that old books will get lost because there is no way to determine who owns the copyright. Therefore, in this technological society where more and more people are using technology these books will become books of the past. In addition, as Lessig points out, the creativity will be lost. In addition, the opportunity to expand on a concept or idea will be diminished as no-one will have access to the books.
Lessig states 94% of the films and books published between 1923 and 1946 will not be available because there is no way to find out the owner.

Lessig proposed that in an effort to establish some balance, copyright owners should pay a small fee after the copyright has been in effect for 50 years. This proposal would require copyright owners to pay a small fee to register their work. If they did not pay the fee the work would be pass to the public domain.



Lessig, Lawrence: Free Culture, Penguin Press, 2004