Commodification of Culture Harms Creators

Abstract

"In this paper, the author first discusses the importance of prior works to the creation of new works, and shows why broad and free access to a 'commons' of cultural information is critical to the creative process. He then discusses how the various pieces of this commons are rapidly being whittled away by the content industry. Finally, he points to the overlapping interests of creators and users of information, and illustrates that they have more in common with each other than with the content industry."