Remix: Making art and commerce thrive in the hybrid economy

Is burning a mix CD for a friend an expression of creativity or a criminal offence?

Copyright laws were originally put in place to protect artists. However, today they seem mainly to serve corporate interests and effectively prohibit further creativity. In Remix, Lawrence Lessig highlights how these copyright laws may potentially criminalise our own children – the generation who don’t think twice about burning CDs, ‘biting’ riffs from films, videos and songs to make new art – and indeed anyone else who creates, enjoys or sells any art form.

Lessig, the reigning authority on intellectual property in the digital world, advocates a solution which rests not on abolishing copyright but applying it where it was intended – namely in the commercial sphere. He explains:

• how the new collaborative yet profitable ‘hybrid economy’ based on a ‘read-write’ culture works;
• how it will become ever more prominent in every creative realm – from news to music;
• how we can and should use it to benefit those who make and consume art.

Remix is more than an authoritative statement on copyright in the 21st century. It is an eloquent plea to decriminalise that which comes naturally to young people and to untie the shackles that prevent us creating and using our culture. Tremendous opportunities are out there in the ‘hybrid economy’ for those who are prepared to embrace it.

Until the CC version is available in May 2009, all profits from the e-book will be donated to Creative Commons.