Lawrence Lessig's TED Talk

As you think about Intellectual Property, I'd like for you to watch Lawrence Lessig's TED Talk: "Laws that choke creativity."

Even though this presentation was done in March 2007, it is still highly relevant to issues involving copyright and digital and online media.

After you watch the presentation, return here and add a comment about whether you agree with Lessig or not, and why or why not. Also, because we are near the end of the semester, the deadline for your comment is 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7. Late comments will not be accepted for credit.

Remember, also, to include your first name, last name initial and your class (morning, afternoon or online). 

Taylor Swift and defamation

Since we’ve been discussing celebrities in the context of libel and now, privacy, it seems timely to examine what’s happened with pop singer Taylor Swift in the last few days.

According to published reports, a blogger in California wrote that the singer supports white supremacy. Swift’s legal team responded by denying the blogger’s claims, demanding that the blogger retract her article and threatening a lawsuit.

Meanwhile, yesterday, the American Civil Liberties Union came to the blogger’s defense.

Read this news article by the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/11/07/aclu-scolds-taylor-swift-for-effort-to-protect-reputation/?utm_term=.3b3ca4bb76c5

Did you notice the mentions about “defamation,” “actual malice” and “retraction”? Sound familiar?

After reading the news article, return here and offer your reaction. Should Taylor Swift be upset, and should the blogger retract the article? Or, is the ACLU right that she should, in effect, “shake it off”? Offer your opinion, using what you’ve learned in Media Law class and supporting your answer.

Be sure to include your first name, last name initial and class (morning, afternoon or online).