Copyright – When a person creates something can they really have control over its fate?

Before the internet philosophers talked about the act of creation and whether it comes from within our minds, hearts or spirit. Some have stated that originality does not even exist and that everything is a construct of what has already been. Others have suggested that creation is no more than pulling ‘information’ out from a collective consciousness. Curiously these abstract terms are now mirrored with today’s technology.

The internet is little more than a collection of data – technologies collective consciousness. When shared between millions and ‘instantly’ available it imitates telepathy. Constantly growing and changing it has even been called a living breathing entity.

With this the idea of copyright has been blown apart. A movie posted on the internet is likely to be edited and amalgamated with others to form a new viewing experience. If this is repeated, like Chinese whispers, can anyone person be called the ‘creator’? And how can it truly be stopped when children swap digital data in playgrounds as easy as pencils.

Yet no two people will paint the same picture. An artist’s creation is unique to them. The question is – once created do they hold the right to what can be consciously experienced by others? In the very act of revealing their work does the artist not relinquish their ownership?

What then of the artist’s integrity? If they made a mural to aid a cause and it was later used to represent an opposing view it may be outside of their control, but ‘the viewing public’ are likely to (wrongly) associate new work with the artists intention – and if this new association induces hostility towards the artist would they have ‘reasonable grounds to complain’? Furthermore it could result in attacks upon them or result in the ‘loss of earnings’… Do you see where this is going?

Copyright is linked to the societies that we live within and their materialistic framework. Yet deeper than that it has become woven into our lives through legality and a sense of ‘protection through litigation’ over circumstances that we truly do not control. By aiming to keep control it takes it away form others. Who is to say what the next moment truly brings? Our fate is not decided by circumstances but our connection to them. If my intention is misunderstood by another interpretation of my work, then my control is in how I react to that and not in restricting another persons actions/thoughts – and if that act did not happen who can prove that another event would not have occurred in its place?

In truth the best I can do is give birth to my thoughts and release them like children into the world. Whilst I desire for them to be treated well, be respected and can grow in a manner that feels healthy to me, I have no right to hold them in shackles from pre-conceived ideals or expectations.

However from this there is also the realization that my creations can only be that – mine. My thoughts and words are mine alone. The essence of Free-Thinking and Free-Speech. I do not pretend they belong to anyone else and believe that a persons reaction to them is based upon their own perception and interpretation. Stick and stones…

Yet words and art have/are been used to influence because we are human and have a disposition towards certain behaviours. For this reason I am cautious. Not for the influence my work may have – but how others may relate it. And for all my words I too exist within this society where to eat and be warm I rely upon money. Due to my belief that expression should be free it is likely I will comment on people and events that others will strongly disagree with. These are my thoughts – whatever they may be – and I need no right to have them and in expressing them I commit no crime. With this understanding I need no copyright notice.

However I well understand that my views of free-speech/copyright do hold a lot of credence in our society and even though my work is of my own making I have no desire to be sued or have my work removed from sites due to other peoples actions – so as a contributor to this world please follow this link to my:-

'Legal Ownership/Copyright notice'.