Creative Commons takes a stand in favor of reformed intellectual property laws

This blog has dedicated several previous posts to the potential of U.S. copyright law reform, and we have considered the pros and cons of the possible outcomes. 

Recently, a new player has entered the debate over reform. According to an article in the National Journal, Creative Commons has issued a statement to urge lawmakers in the U.S. and around the world to support copyright reform that makes creative works more open to the public.

Founded in 2001, Creative Commons makes it easier for people to create and share their work. The National Journal reports that the group has licensed "hundreds of millions of works," including songs, videos, writing and even scholarly research.

The group added the the current direction of copyright law is not something that it supports.

The trend, internationally, is to have more restrictive copyright laws," Maria Sutton, global policy analyst with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told the news source. "What this statement does is, it allows affiliates to use their CC hat and say we're involved in this international coalition pushing to make copyright laws more sane."

Contrary to popular belief, Creative Commons argues that its success does not mean that copyright reform does not need to happen. In its statement, the group calls its licenses a "patch," rather than a "fix" for the system.

Creative Commons has a great deal of leverage among certain intellectual property circles, so by taking a stand in this effort it may help speed it along. In any case, businesses that deal with intellectual property should meet with a Phoenix business attorney to discuss the present and future of intellectual property.

Categorised in: International Business Law

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