I wonder how you would feel about someone creating electronic files of your work and making them available for free a la Napster.

The popular idea that creative work is just more “information” that should be freely available to all is mortally short-sighted.

If musicians’ work simply becomes public property once it’s recorded, then musicians will just stop recording it. If film-makers’ work simply becomes public property once it’s released, then where will they get the money to make films?

If my work simply becomes public property once it’s published, then how will I sustain myself in order to go on writing? Many people just don’t seem to realize that (in the real-world economy) musical recordings, films, and books are products, and products that people don’t BUY just don’t get MADE.

ID: 510
posted: 07 May 2001
updated: 07 May 2001