Random Musings

WIPO is considering a treaty that would broadcasters and possibly webcasters a copyright-like protection of 50 years over anything they broadcast. This means that they can take, for example, a video of a Congressional hearing, in the public domain, DRM the hell out of it, and otherwise restrict access to work the creator might want the public to have access to. They could make it impossible for others to distribute it, regardless of the creator’s wishes. This isn’t about signal theft or anything like that. That’s already illegal. This is about undermining the public domain, and consumer-friendly licenses such as Creative Commons. This is pork for middlemen. The US should not sign on to this treaty.

# posted by Dan @ 2:59 PM