on competing with free

2 Responses to on competing with free

1. Earl Mardle says:

   January 5, 2003 at 2:45 pm

   Of course, the increased value of used copies no longer provides any benefit to the original creator of the work, except, perhaps, to increase marginally the value of any new works he creates. (Big perhaps).

   I’ve long thought that for artistic works especially, but also for instruments such as shares, there ought to be a “residual value” clause which pays to the original author, (or company in the case of shares) a small percentage of the value of the transaction.

   That way an artist will continue to benefit from the rising, or falling value of their work as would companies whose shares were being driven up or down by speculators who could care less about the reality of the business whose prospects they so freely transform without paying anything for the privilege.

   Naturally this would only be applicable for items traded by entities who would have to account for the dollars to someone, (the share registry or the Tax collector) but it might also apply on places such as eBay.

   I’m not sure what processes might emerge from such a license or whether it would make a significant difference to anyone, but it seems to me that those who on-sell a creative work, especially for a rent, should contribute to the originator where possible.
2. Lessig says:

   January 6, 2003 at 7:11 am

   True enough. But had his work still been in print, some of the increase in value would have translated into higher demand for the in print book.

   I’d be skeptical of a residuals for used books, though. I would think the incentive to write another book would be a sufficient reward. But it is a clever idea.

Comments are closed.