For the past century, the vast majority of creative artists have been protective of their intellectual property rights. For writers, musicians, painters, dancers, and photographers alike, intellectual property laws have historically provided important protections that ensure that their work cannot be passed off as the creation of someone else, who could then reap the benefit (in terms of recognition, reputation, or remuneration) rightfully belonging to the creator.
However, in this current age of digital media, when creativity in certain arenas relies heavily upon the ability to freely access and distribute information, where artistic creations themselves benefit from viral marketing techniques, many are arguing that intellectual property laws must be “carefully limited to protect [a person’s] rights to create, access, and distribute information, as well as to develop new ways to do so.”
