“Creative Commons is designed to save the world from failed sharing,” notes the video. Creative Commons can cover anything that copywrite covers. This concept may be difficult for some to understand. The tool does not give free reign to anyone and everyone in terms of copy write and copywrite infringement, but rather, it has “Given you the right to exercise your copy write in more ways than was once available.” Copywrite laws were, and still can be, very static and rigid. Now, Creative Commons gives creative minds a place to share ideas, making them more malleable and perhaps aiding in connection and communication around the world. “Free expression…that’s the kind of commons we’re trying to create.”
This seems like the next logical step in the internet-crazed social networking world that we’ve become. It seems that individuals are more willing to share, and are excited to share, their work. CC allows individuals to communicate with others around the world, share ideas and create new ideas. To me, it seems only good things can come from such a mind set, allowing others to freely share ideas and becoming a less rigid society. I enjoy the notion of collaborative work, as opposed to one person hording an idea.
The CC website says, “Realizing the full potential of the internet — universal access to research, education, full participation in culture, and driving a new era of development, growth, and productivity,” as their vision statement.” As stated before, this is a great idea that is the next logical step in the social media landscape.
However, I can understand where things may get sticky. If I posted a photo and someone else edited it a bit, and ended up submitting it to a magazine and the new individual made money from the photo, I may get upset. When money is involved, things always get messy. However, the point is that I had the choice to post that photo, knowing that someone else may edit it and reinvent it, making it something new. Because CC is voluntary, it’s up to whoever created a certain piece to post it to the CC website. A person should be very knowledgeable as to how the piece could be changed, seeing as how collaboration is the motto of CC.
Does this remind you at all of the Coe Writing Center? Our idea is "collaborative learning" where consultants help writers improve their skills at writing and writers in turn teach consultants about whatever topic they are writing about. Yet the paper always belongs to the writer - none of the changes we help them make makes the paper ours. But - they don't give us their paper. Like you, I can see how CC could lead to a lot of idea stealing, and when trying to get something original published to make a name for yourself - this could be a great hindrance. How likely do you think that is and do the benefits outweigh the possible negatives?
ReplyDelete