Copyright and Fair Use

All mention of "Bound by Law" is in reference to Bound by Law by Keith Aoki, James Boyle, and Jennifer Jenkins (2006). http://web.law.duke.edu/cspd/comics/

          I read the comic called "Bound by Law," which discussed the positives and potential negatives of copyright law and fair use policy.  It discussed how copyright law protects creators and encourages people to create new and exciting cultural material, as well as the fact that too much copyright law and protection can remove or reduce the ability for others to create their own new material which may incidentally contain copyrighted things.
          This comic taught me a lot about copyright.  It made me realize that copyright law and fair use laws are confusing, murky, beneficial, strict, and necessary.  Without copyright protection, people would be too scared to create new things for fear that someone could take it, claim it as their own, and receive all the glory, credit, and money for something that you painstakingly created.  However, with too much copyright protection, some people are prevented from creating documentaries or other forms of new media because the cost of including these things in something that you have made is higher than you are willing to or can afford to pay, preventing further creation.  All the aspects of copyright law are so murky and subjective that, what may seem like fair use to one person, is copyright infringement for another, or some people may be so protective over material that they own the copyright for in order to receive money or prevent horrible misuse.  Copyright is important, when used appropriately and with creation in mind.
          I really enjoyed the comic book format of this information.  Looking at pictures as well as examples was helpful and made the information much more appealing and easier to absorb.  If all this information had been given to me in a long paper format, I might not have retained as much information on copyright law or truly be able to comprehend it.  Law in itself can be a particularly dry subject, but portraying it in unconventional ways, such as a comic book or a rap, can make it something much more relatable and easily digested.  The art was nicely drawn and easily followed.  I really enjoyed it.
          I think that teaching my students about copyright will be something truly important.  It will help them understand that people have rights to the things they make and create, and we should not infringe upon those rights for our own use.  However, I want them to also realize that their creativity is valued and protected, and that their opinions, ideas, and expressions should not be stifled due to unfair laws.