Problem
We're taking a look at the regulatory issues involved, and how the current rules on IP work..and sometimes, how they don't. The Internet has changed several of the basic assumptions underlying IP law.
Economics tells us that the natural price of something is the marginal cost; the is, the cost of producing one more item. For digital products, that's close to zero. How can we ensure producers get paid? Or is the old model fundamentally broken?
YouTube has been accused of finding ways to profit from copyright infringement rather than help reduce it. Can the problem be resolved in a practical way?
The DMCA's takedown provisions are generally regarded as something of a mess; is there a better way to address the problem?
Take this week's material and run with it. And as always, play nice.