This past week in English class, we viewed a video on copyright law in America. The movie covered everything from what happens if you are found in violation of these laws, to what the laws entail, to their overall effect on creativity and innovation. I learned a lot from it, but I feel that the issue deserves even more attention. Currently, I am sitting in front of the computer with this essay on one tab of my internet browser, and project playlist (playlist.com) on the other. This is a site where most songs have been uploaded for free play to the public. "Most Songs" includes the artist Girl Talk, featured in the movie. He is the posterboy for copyright questions. He has made his name popular by combining bits and pieces from other peoples' music to create his own. Anyone with an open mind can see the beauty in a successful mixture of James Taylor and 50 cent. It works, and it shouldn't be legally questionable.
Copyright law was originally put in place to encourage creativity b
