If one supposes that information storage and retrieval systems are not now and are not likely to become commonplace during our lifetime, then we may leave the resolution of the rights of a copyright proprietor in respect of computer usage as a legacy to future generations.
But in doing so, would we not be creating another jukebox exemption, this time one of even greater consequences to the world of private authorship and private commercial publishing?
The hard, inexorable facts are, that information storage and retrieval systems do exist and are increasing numerically as well as in the scope of their uses.
Testimony of Bella L. Linden (American Textbook Publishers Institute), Copyright Law Revision, Hearings Before Subcommittee No. 3 of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Eighty-Ninth Congress, First Session on H.R. 4347, H.R. 5680, H.R. 6831, H.R. 6835, at 1429 (June 30, 1965), available at HathiTrust.
Seriously, What if Music Streaming Doesn’t Work Out? (via CultureCrash) — “Not one of the music streaming companies has made a profit yet, not one. Most are involved in corporate growth quarterly suicide, driven by large sums of VC money, or public pressure to return shareholder value. That’s fine, but that’s no way to nurture a creative company. I wish them all well, but honestly, that doesn’t seem like a good situation for the industry or consumer, maybe the VCs and shareholders, and money managers, but not us.”
Why online tracking is getting creepier — “Tracking people using their real names—often called ‘onboarding’—is a hot trend in Silicon Valley. In 2012, ProPublica documented how political campaigns used onboarding to bombard voters with ads based on their party affiliation and donor history. Since then, Twitter and Facebook have both started offering onboarding services allowing advertisers to find their customers online.”
Lack of Registry is No Excuse for Bad Royalty Accounting to Artists: The Return of the Magic Thingy — From The Trichordist: “This ‘if we just had a good database’ dodge has been a frequent feature of Internet lore for quite a while.”
“My Data Belongs To Meâ€: Returning Online Control To Consumers — “Data protection has not been successful in guaranteeing against misuse, claims Bruck. He proposes instead a human rights approach to data, where the ‘issue is not protection, but rights, not safeguarding, but property ownership.’ … ‘If you wish to use my data, get my permission. And then make transparent what uses you are taking,’ he said.”
The Illusion of Free Stuff — David Newhoff: “We’re seeing a trend of popular artists take gigs to perform for sponsorships, corporate events, or private parties for wealthy individuals; and this move toward patronage by the elite is a direct response to the fact that we the people are no longer a source of revenue.”
Shannon Hurley: “We Must Respect and Value Songwriters” — Indie songwriter Hurley on the inequities her and other songwriters currently face under the current licensing regime.