Dean Baker, Center for Economic and Policy Research, Washington, D.C., "Beyond Copyright: Supporting Creative Work in the Internet Age"
ABSTRACT:
Copyright is a relic of the Medieval guild system. It is becoming increasingly difficult to enforce with digital technology and the Internet. However, it remains the main mechanism for supporting the production of creative and artistic work. This talk will point out the ways in which copyright is becoming increasingly inefficient and describe the concept of “Artistic Freedom Vouchers (AFV),” as an alternative mechanism for financing creative and artistic work.
The AFV is modeled after the charitable tax deduction, with the difference that the AFV would be a credit for a small amount (e.g. $75-$100) which could only be used to support creative and artistic work. Writers, artists, musicians and other creative workers, along with intermediaries, would register to be eligible to receive this funding in the same way that charitable and non-profit organizations register to be eligible for tax deductible contributions. Recipients of AFV funds would not be eligible to receive copyright protection for their work, all of which would remain in the public domain.