Big Copyright Versus the People: How Major Content Providers Are Destroying Creativity and How to Stop Them

by Martin Skladany

When the idea of copyright was enshrined in the Constitution it was intended to induce citizens to create. Today, however, copyright has morphed into a system that offers the bulk of its protection to a select number of major corporate content providers (or Big Copyright), which has turned us from a country of creators into one of consumers who spend, on average, ten hours each day on entertainment. In this alarming but illuminating book, Martin Skladany examines our culture of overconsumption and shows not only how it leads to addiction, but also how it is unraveling important threads - of family, friendship, and community - in our society. Big Copyright versus the People should be read by anyone interested in understanding how Big Copyright managed to get such a lethal grip on our culture and what can be done to loosen it.

286 pages, Hardcover

Published June 7, 2018

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for an academic book about copyright that is as hopeful and fun as it is depressing? This might be it.

Written in an accessible voice, Skladany posits that corporate overreach and control of creative works has contributed to a society of overconsumption and creative under achievement.

To remedy or at least mitigate this situation, he offers (and interrogates) some clever solutions, including:
- establishing a United Nations Public Domain Program
- using copyright poison pills (artists’ rights revert if corporate licensee tries to negatively influence copyright policy)
- copyright trolling for the public good (setting up an organization that will attempt to litigate or shame legislators who breach overreaching copyright laws (that they supported))
- establishing technology unions (highly skilled tech workers who organize to ensure corporations implement and adhere to socially beneficial IP policies)
- create a copyright free zone.

[Ali Amiri · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book if filled with engaging arguments and propositions for limiting the power of Hollywood and inciting the public to live better lives through creating art. And much more. Good quotes. Beautifully written.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yet another take on corporatism is bad, mkay, only the government loves you.