Tom Roper's Weblog

John Lanchester on intellectual property

I try not to blog about stories in the conventional press. It seems to me cheating. Today I shall break this rule because John Lanchester's piece in last Saturday's Guardian on intellectual property was first -rate.
I recently had to seek copyright clearance for some articles for use at work. With two, written by academics, it was easy: they both responded within hours to my e-mail, giving permission.  Oxford University Press also answered quickly and helpfully. The fourth piece was from the BBC website. There is nothing anywhere on that vast  site for copyright permission requests, though it must be a frequently asked question. I was reduced to filling in the generic feedback form, the same one used by viewers who don't like the newsreader's tie. Three weeks later, I have not had an answer. Small wonder laypeople ignore or breach copyright.

Intellectual property explained in a comic

Tales from the Public Domain: Bound by Law? is an explanation of intellectual property and fair dealing in the form of a comic book, produced by Duke University's Center for the Study of the Public Domain.

It's an interesting way of trying to tackle complicated issues; I wonder if it will reach audiences who  resist more traditional methods.  I'm afraid I was never a comic fan and still find it hard to understand the claims some make for them as an art form.