Re: "Hollywood hacking bill"

Beyond Columbine and closer to copyright, we have today's news of a settlement in an antitrust case against the major recording companies. The companies, using the monopoly power grounded in copyright law, colluded to jack up the prices of CD's. Yes, I do realize that they have settled without admitting they did anything wrong. They also entered into a consent agreement regrading the same issue with the FTC without any admission of guilt.

So now we have these same folks -- who have clearly abused the rights granted to them under copyright law -- before Congress seeking greater protection for those rights.

Now put yourself in my shoes. I am trying to figure out how to communicate to young people about the value of copyright and the need to respect the copyright rights of others. So try this argument:

"It is important to respect the copyright rights and financial interests of the recording companies, even though there is strong evidence that the recording companies are exploiting the recording artists, the real creators, and the recording companies are abusing their monopoly power to overcharge for their products." Say what???

Any thoughts on what one should try to communicate to young people on these issues would be welcome.

Nancy

Nancy Willard, M.S., J.D.

Center for Advanced Technology in Education University of Oregon, College of Education E-mail: nwillard[_at_]oregon.uoregon.edu
URL: http://netizen.uoregon.edu

Responsible Netizen Institute
URL:http://responsiblenetizen.org
NEW: Safe and Responsible Use of the Internet: A Guide for Educators Received on Tue Oct 01 2002 - 16:15:46 GMT