Summary: lessening copyright laws and encouraging a cultural commons

         I would like to start off by thanking everyone for their comments. The comments I found on my blog post this week heavily reflected the thoughts that I had originally shared. As Nella noted, I believe there is a true benefit in the social and cultural bonds that music creates, where copyright laws and restrictions hinder the availability and accessibility of content to users and consumers. A cultural commons was previously discussed within module 4 by Lessig (2001), where anyone within the relevant community has access to resources without obtaining permission. When restrictive copyright laws and legislations are placed on music, there is a disruption within the cultural commons where users are unable to access the music to which they should have free permission and access to.

            I find an alternative compensation system crucial to the diminishing of overbearing copyright laws and restrictions, as Lindsay mentioned. As originally noted, the music industry must discern that artists have alternative methods of support other than through specific sales of their music. Even when music is free, true fans will still have the desire to purchase the album or concert tickets, almost making free music sharing applications irrelevant to the downfall of the music industry as Condry (2004) notes. This also intersects with the music industry’s idea that downloading a CD from the Internet is the same as shoplifting a CD from the shelf at the music store. This is not the case at all with exchanging and downloading music online; once one user has downloaded a song or CD, that music is still available to other users. As Nella mentioned, an initial purchase would have been made in order to access an original copy of the music; however, this allows others to access the content for free, further encouraging social and cultural bonds and a cultural commons.

            Finally, as Kamalpreet recognized, music is not a material object and this is exactly why it has the capacity to establish such powerful social and cultural bonds. Rather than focus on the legal and business aspect as McCourt and Burkart (2003) note, cultural production of music must reflect the desires of the consumers/users.  Music is an amazing thing because it can be exchanged and expressed in a variety of ways where users are able to share bonds and discuss aspects of music that may allow them to think differently. This is why it is essential that copyright laws and restrictions are reduced and users are able to access the music with the ease of use which Bradley (2006) notes, connecting users and bringing them together on both a digital and cultural level.