oD-DRM

The reinvention of scarcity Tony Curzon Price The community-building projects of the digital world are celebrated for the abundance they make it possible to access and share; but what if the culture of a community only arises from jointly endured constraints? Tony Curzon Price explores a key paradox of the online age.

iCommons for beginners Tony Curzon Price Tony Curzon Price, Becky Hogge and Sam Howard Spink are blogging from the iCommons iSummit in Rio this weekend, 23-25 June 2006 Creative Commons Creative Commons is an American charity founded by the radical libertarian legal scholar, Lawrence Lessig. Its aim is to help cultural creators give up some of their copyrights by creating the required legal framework of licenses. Why would a cultural creator do that? Because spreading a message, establishing and nourishing a reputation, having an audience, participating in the commonwealth of cultural production, may all be more important than the elusive royalty stream.

Should artists know better? - the British copyright experience

The global digital commons and other unlikely tales David M Berry The commons movement may be groundbreaking and innovative but as it hurtles towards a global model, it risks the privatisation of culture and a disregard for national boundaries, says David M Berry.

The Crown's copyright con Becky Hogge As the UK government abuses copyright law to stifle free speech and obstruct freedom of information, the case of Craig Murray reveals how the impulse of power to control dissent is crushing democratic rights anew.

Free software's Faustian moment Felix CohenBecky Hogge A recent deal between Microsoft and Novell has ignited the long-smouldering controversy about whether code can be owned. Is it the first step towards a two-tier software economy?

Let the IP debate begin ! Becky Hogge An imminent British report on intellectual-property law will shape government policy on the balance between consumers and rightsholders. Becky Hogge sets the scene – and takes sides – in the debate to

The future of intellectual property: Andrew Gowers interviewed Becky Hogge Andrew Gowers, commissioned by the British government to map the next generation's intellectual-property framework, explains his thinking to Becky Hogge – and leaves her feeling that the "copyfight" for a public domain of information has only just begun.

A gain for the public domain Becky Hogge After a surprising breakthrough in negotiations, the scene is set for a full debate on intellectual-property rights and human development. Becky Hogge is encouraged, but the fight isn’t over yet.

Free culture: tumble down the walls Tom Chance The Creative Commons movement needs to have a bold vision for the enlargement of cultural freedom, says Tom Chance.

The Magnatune revolution John Buckman The net-based record label Magnatune is pioneering a new way of making "open music" an instrument of creative empowerment, says its founder John Buckman.

The iCommons harvest Felix Cohen There's no tragedy in a digital commons where quality content is king, says Felix Cohen.

Gilberto Gil: the open minister Jose Murilo The global reputation of the renowned Brazilian musician Gilberto Gil is secure. Byt what of his legacy as Brazil's minister of culture? The test, says his former colleague Jose Murilo, will be the fate of his vision of "open culture" as a space for progressive change in the global-networked society.

media & the net From Big Brother to Mr. Murdoch to Mr. Burns, the media saturate our lives. Here, we decode, explain and debate the media we rely upon for democracy - and entertainment.

Talks Will Wright: Toys that make worlds