Week 1 Response to Alicia

In watching the videos on Copyright and Fair Use, I believe that I am even more confused than before. It's like being afraid of something that you can't see. You know it's there, somewhere. And, most of all, you have to walk very carefully.

I have to admit that concerns about copyright have been one of my biggest challenges throughout EMDT. When we all began the program, about 10 months ago, it was stressed to us that plagiarism unacceptable - something I am sure we all already knew. However, as we continued, we began to utilize material in our projects and performances. This materials was often found on the web. This is the material that I have shied away from. Even though a source is referenced, I was concerned about how the copyright laws could effect me. Several times I did not use something, like a piece of music or photo, because I was concerned about where it would fit into the context of the copyright laws.

In watching these videos, I can see how copyright could protect me as well as the original creator of the work. There are also many grey areas. Areas that copyright could be pushed too far. It was stated that ' a small bit' could be used in specific circumstances? That leads to the question, how small is a small piece. What if I use too much? What then? As you can probably tell, I am somewhat of a black/white person. I have to admit that I am uncomfortable with these broad definitions.

Mr.LesBrown3 said...
Alica, I started off scared as well. I do feel like the videos cleared up a lot of things for me. Fair use and how much is too much can't be spelled out.If the law would spell the amount out in specific terms that would be even harder to police. I like that Fair use is at least considered. I hope that the law is aiming for true pirates. Although a few well meaning people have already been busted and were claiming fair use. i hope in the arena of education we would be allowed a little latitude.

Week 1 Comment to Heather Hanes

Wk1 Reading: Copyright Laws
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art Gallery
So this week we had three parts to read to begin to understand copyright laws. Let me just say, that it is still as clear as mud. When Professor Bustillos said that is was "an ocean of grey," that was certainly not an understatement. It seemed to me that many of the videos seemed to contradict each other a little bit. Several said that "Fair Use" was a great movement to help protect from censorship, however; there is no clear way to use it. Yes there are codes of practice, but these codes of practice aren't sanctioned or recognized by law (to my understanding). To me it seems like a way to say, "If all of us are doing the same thing, there are too many of us to try to sue." I've seen the same premise used with employees. "If we all do it, they can't fire us all." That doesn't mean that it is right...just that it is less likely to be enforced. Also with Fair Use you have so much that is subjective. The idea of a proportional amount, the work not infringing on the owner's ability to profit, and the idea of whether it is necessary. All of these are subjective. I may have taught a unit on the Civil War without the use of the movie "The Patriot" before the movie was created, but now that the movie is out I cannot imagine trying to teach the idea of families and communities torn apart by the choosing of sides. Technically, it is not Fair Use, as I have had the unit previously...but if you ask me, I will tell you it is.

I applaud the artists that contribute to Creative Commons. I think that the industries are looking at downloading and using material in the wrong light. I had to laugh when the lawyer for the film industries claimed to lose $6 billion a year on pirating. Look at how much they make already! Can you imagine how much they would make otherwise?? It is unbelievable to me as someone who makes way less than $40,000/year.

In the end (in my humble opinion), you have to take a look at what the consequences of the actions are. Industries are worried more about money than preserving history and that was never more clearly illustrated than in the "Eyes on the Prize" video. You have irreplaceable pieces of history that are lost forever because of money. In a few years when are younger generations are unable to appreciate the struggles of their ancestors will that be worth further lining the pockets of the already overly wealthy??
Posted by Heather Pirraglia-Hanes at Thursday, September 01, 2011

Mr.LesBrown3 said...

Heather,
Thanks for commenting on my blog. I agree that it is muddy waters, copyright that is.Fair use a legal defensible scary place to stand, agreed? Creative Commons we applaud you.
Thanks Heather

Week 1 WIMBA

Week 1 Wimba MAC

This wimba session put me at ease. There is a lot to be accomplished in 30 days. Professor Bustillos gave a great overview of the month. I like that we are using blogs to post assignments. Blogs are great for interaction with classmates. Commenting on two other classmates post will allow us to begin to experience the material and allow for reflections well. I now understand the objective of an abstract. In the abstract we will basically in 120 words or lest explain the process of our CBR project step by step. The abstract should be easy because we would have completed the CBR site and this will be our guide. I am glad that we are preparing to publish or present for a Journal or conference respectively. I hope we are able to share with our classmates or finished work as well. In the last year we have heard about so many great projects I can’t wait to hear about the results and the changes coming from the projects. Well I better go and start the other assignments.

Week 1 Readings: Creative Commons, Copyright, Fair Use. Help?

Week 1 Readings: Copyright, Creative Commons, and Fair Use.

Ok it’s official. I’m scared. I live in Florida and love to fish but the regulations can be quite tricky about which fish you are allowed to harvest from the ocean. If you are in the Gulf there is a specific regulation for a species and a totally different regulation for the same species if are in the Atlantic. The problem is there are areas where if you don’t check your coordinates you wouldn’t know if you are in the Atlantic or the Gulf.
I have learned so much from are “readings” and feel a little more settled. Copyright last forever, a lifetime plus 70 years for individuals and 100 years for a company. This in my estimation does not fit the modern culture of remix.
Fair use only applies for content used to: Teach, News reporting, Parody, and Critical Comments. Fair use is not a right but a defensible position. So help us God. In the consideration of fair use a court will judge on the nature of use, the amount of use, and commercial affect. This explanation helped me understand fair use. If these 3 criteria are the litmus test then I feel much better. I love Creative Commons.
I wish everyone producing anything would consider Creative Commons. Creative Commons allows the producer(s) to determine how the material may be reused. The creator may allow for derivatives, attribution, commercial use or not, and share alke. Since books, plays, film/movie are all covered by copyright it is important for educators to understand and respect the law. Copyright isn’t really scary now that I know the fundamentals. The law is in place to protect the rights of the producers but in today’s culture we need to revisit the spirit of the law. I agree with Larry Lessigs TED Talk that our evolving remix culture is calling for a remix of copyright. Modern and advancing technology demands a revisit and a redefining of the spirit of copyright.