Friday, June 3, 2011

MAC Week 1 Reading

Part 1
There are so many things to have in place when you want to use copyrighted material. Nowadays it pays to be proficient in Adobe Flash and other creative software where you can create different symbols, pictures or characters. The guy from Creative Commons had a great point when he suggested that there's so much legal business with copyrighted materials, that we should just loosen the law so that the people who are creating things today can use older works and still give the creator of those works recognition and payment. Also, I find it interesting the methods of sale in Brazil vs the U.S. Here in the U.S. we focus on cd sales but in Brazil the cd's are used as a promoting tool to get fans to come to the concert.

Part 2
The use of the Disney movies to explain copyright laws and fair use was brilliant. I know it took the creator(s) a long time to gather the proper scenes. It was good that Dr. Joe said something about the unassigned percent when it comes to fair use because I remember hearing something about that a couple of years ago. The documentary film on fair use seemed very on point. Even though I didn't understand most of what they were talking about, I do feel that certain civil rights videos and footage should be able to be used without the threat of litigation.

Part 3
The Creative Commons video is right in line with my line of thinking. How is this a shared culture if we can't share it. I'm glad that Creative Commons was created so that people like myself who create things without looking for a profit will have a place to share things. That second video was hilarious!!! It also cleared up some questions that I had about Creative Commons

3 comments:

  1. It is a travesty to even fathom let alone allow the disappearance of Civil Rights or any historical footage. I had not known about this until watching the videos and I wonder if it is only the African/African- American experience that is undergoing this licensing issue and what can be done about it. In light of the new information we received this week, I also wonder if the copyright debate is a global or American problem. You mention how Brazil's use of music content on cds for promotional/marketing purposes versus the American system of making a profit. That same video also speaks to the differences that exist in Nigeria. Look at the Swiss! Their assessment of copyright infringement is that the information trafficked on the web is the equivalent to a library and when you think about it from that angle, there is a point to be made. I understand that no matter what, permission granted is permission to use, but has our country become too litigious? Is copyright protection really protecting the artists or the bottom line? I remember a time when people developed their craft for the love of it. Is it now just for the love of money?

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  2. Tremeris,
    I know you are not alone when it comes to understanding all of the issues when it comes to copyright laws - I am right there with you my friend. However, I see we both understand how devastating it is to lose such a valuable resource like the "Eyes on the Prize" series. I remember the PBS presentation each year (usually in February) during African American Heritage Month. This is why it is up to US, you and I, to learn about these issues surrounding copyright laws and teach our students. It's important that they understand how powerful knowledge is in our present lives and in the lives of those yet to seek an education.

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  3. Great review and comments about the "reading."

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