tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18204364.post6196669730123769247..comments2023-05-04T05:09:25.749-06:00Comments on The stories of Bryan Young: Of Trademarks and Space MarinesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01086411448964347304noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18204364.post-25182277724385135712013-02-12T13:11:29.272-07:002013-02-12T13:11:29.272-07:00Actually, there are two battles going on here, and...Actually, there are two battles going on here, and in this case, the battle was actually won. There is the Intellectual Property (IP) enforcement by the government, and IP enforcement by corporations. In this case, GW got the trademark via the government, and then used it with Amazon to get Amazon to take down an "offending" book. And in this case, Amazon responded to the howling at the moon quite well. In response to the Massive Internet Outrage Machineā¢, they told GW to go screw themselves, and reinstated Spots of the Space Marine. The internet outrage machine is actually quite powerful. I've seen it get results quite a few times. I've even seen proposed laws fail in Congress due to it. (And I've seen it fail to get results. And I've seen it do bad things as well.)<br /><br />Now GW's battle is with other corporations (the next content-provider they decide to complain to) and the government (if they should choose to sue Amazon and the author of Spots of the Space Marine). Chances are, GW will think twice about doing either. They tried to bully an independent author via Amazon and failed. Their brand was tarnished as a result. If they're smart, they will back off and stop enforcing their Space Marine trademark.<br /><br />Your other ideas are also being done. Examples of new IP practices include the open source software movement (General Public Licenses) and in the creative fields of writing and art (creative commons licenses). Others are proposing changes to the patent, copyright, and trademark systems. They've been doing so since the 1990s (or earlier?). <br /><br />Unfortunately, the power tends to go towards the corporations. Disney is thought to have the most power in this situation, and since the 90s, copyright law has gotten worse, not better. I believe copyright time has been extended twice? And laws like the DMCA make it criminal (not just civil) to circumvent copy protection schemes.<br /><br />I believe that culture will change in ways as to make previous IP laws unsustainable (more indie creators will fight for power over their own works, and will win in the court of public opinion and it will become increasingly more difficult to enforce IP law in the courts). Corporate creations will become less relevant as the internet breaks people down into smaller and smaller subcultures who want less Mickey Mouse and more indie content.<br /><br />Meanwhile, the Outrage Machine is winning many battles. Don't discount howling at the moon.Luna Corbdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00248755241861752232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18204364.post-87771111799034810662013-02-12T09:38:09.426-07:002013-02-12T09:38:09.426-07:00Like howling at the moon, you bark at a symptom no...Like howling at the moon, you bark at a symptom not a problem. The rapid, accelerated progress of information and science has stripped the Constitutional mandate to protect intellectual property, namely patents and copyrights of its original intent. The laws written a hundred or more years ago are inadequate to fill that mandate and need to be changed.<br /><br />But leaving that chore to inept politicians is like barking at the remote stars. IF and when they respond, so much time will have past that their uninformed laws will make things worse.<br /><br />Artists and engineers need to formulate and propose new laws. Someone, who really cares, should set up an internet forum... a website?... to let the people who understand and who will benefit most hash out the details.<br /><br />First, a few would write a proposed law. Structure a set of new law in the legalese format of existing law, but with more clarity and perhaps 10% of the words. Post it and let us who care pick at it. <br /><br />Set a deadline of a year? 18 months? When the finished product of a hundred revisions would be a) submitted to Congress, and/or b) proposed as an initiative in several states.<br /><br />Difficult? Yes. Meaningful? YES!!!<br /><br />Congress would act quickly out of self defense, and under the scrutiny of the people rather than behind closed doors.<br /><br />Stop Barking, gather a pack and BITE!d'Alchemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17825748414954664432noreply@blogger.com