[Asis-l] Copyright and Wrongs || The Economist Debate Series || Now Open

Tue May 5 13:09:51 EDT 2009

Colleagues/

Join The Debate !

/Gerry 

The Economist Debate Series || Copyright and Wrongs || Now Open 

Are draconian copyright laws restricting creativity and progress?

Motion: "This house believes that existing copyright laws do more harm
than good."

Live dates: May 5th-15th

Current round: Opening

Current voting: PRO 67% CON 33%

Dear Reader,

Today sees the start of our debate on copyright. Both our speakers have
posted their opening statements. They find little common ground, but
where do you stand on the issue?

Moderator's comments

Copyright strangles creativity. Copyright rewards originality. It is a
nuisance to the public and unduly enriches a few people. It is the
backbone of our knowledge economy that fuels progress. Hate it, love
it, break it, protect it; few people lack strong opinions about
copyright and its place in society. And the issues are only becoming
more contentious. A subject that has long been the purview of
specialists has now emerged into the sunlight of the public sphere. 

Can our debaters sway you in favour of their positions?

Pro: William Fisher

"By needlessly locking up portions of our cultural heritage, we also 

needlessly curb cultural progress and opportunities for 

self-expression." Read more:

http://news.economist.com/cgi-bin1/DM/y/eBp8d0W1OIc0Mo0FmZA0EE 

Con: Justin Hughes

"To get both the desired amount and mix of expression, properly
calibrated copyright is the best tool." Read more:

http://news.economist.com/cgi-bin1/DM/y/eBp8d0W1OIc0Mo0FmZB0EF 

Debate schedule

* May 5th - Opening arguments

* May 6th - Guest speaker John Kennedy, Chairman and CEO, IFPI, posts

* May 8th - Rebuttal arguments and guest speaker Dale Cendali, 

Intellectual Property Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Adjunct 

Professor, Harvard Law School, posts

* May 11th - Guest speaker Jennifer M. Urban, Clinical Professor of Law

and Director of the Intellectual Property and Technology Law Clinic, 

USC, posts

* May 13th - Closing arguments and guest speaker Jessica Litman, John 

F. Nickoll Professor of Law and Professor of Information, University of

Michigan, posts 

* May 15th - Winner announcement

What do you think? Post your comments and vote now on Economist.com. 

You can also discuss the issues with friends via our Facebook page  and
follow debate updates on Twitter.

Join debate:

[http://news.economist.com/cgi-bin1/DM/y/eBp8d0W1OIc0Mo0FmZC0EG ]

Facebook page:

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Twitter

[http://news.economist.com/cgi-bin1/DM/y/eBp8d0W1OIc0Mo0FkxZ0E6] 

Kenneth Cukier

Debate Moderator

Tokyo Correspondent

The Economist

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