MIT Graduate Program in Comparative Media Studies

Studying Media and Making Media

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From the CMS archive: “Copyright, Fair Use and the Cultural Commons”

As we celebrate the 10th year of Comparative Media Studies, we continue to feature great items from our archives. This week: a gem from the fifth Media in Transition conference, back in 2007, the podcast of “Copyright, Fair Use and the Cultural Commons”.

How has the American tradition of intellectual property law understood the relationship between originality and tradition? What rights do artists and educators have to draw inspiration from or comment on existing works in existing media? What habits, beliefs, legal and policy decisions threaten the emergence of a more participatory culture? What have people done, and what can we do to protect the Fair Use rights of artists, educators, and amateurs so that explore the opportunities created by new media and a networked society?

The full speaker list can be found at this sessions’ website.

The Media in Transitions conference is a joint effort of MIT Comparative Media Studies and the MIT Communications Forum

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About Andrew Whitacre

Andrew directs the communications efforts for CMS/W and its research groups. A native of Washington, D.C., he holds a degree in communication from Wake Forest University, with a minor in humanities, as well as an M.F.A. in creative writing from Emerson College.

His work includes drawing up and executing strategic communications plans, with projects including website design, social media management and training, press outreach, product launches, fundraising campaign support, and event promotions.