I think the big gap that CC has left is a 'Grand Unified License' for free culture that covers any form of intellectual property (software included). I'm not sure that's necessarily best for FC-UK to adopt within its remit however, but it is a gap left in the licensing market. And a gap that leads me to suspect that CC has derogated from its implicit mission to establish a creative commons. I would have thought that FC-UK could simply evangelise the consolidation of the public domain and demonstrate that the works within it subject to monopolistic privileges are actually unwelcome incursions from robber barons attempting to construct and establish piecemeal enclosures. Or more simply, define terms of reference. Where do human rights end and statutory privileges begin? If you restore accuracy to the language, you can improve the accuracy of the public's understanding - let the public know their rights are being violated and you raise the consciousness of this slumbering giant. I still think there's considerable resonance if not similarity here to the struggle against slavery a century or so ago. Temporary privileges are steadily being cemented into permanent suspensions of the public's liberty. An interim solution to slavery prior to its abolition was to purchase slaves in order to grant them manumission. A similar solution that FC-UK could adopt would be to purchase copyrights in order to nullify them (to purchase suspensions of the public's liberty in order to undo them and restore the public's liberty). FC-UK wouldn't need to supply the funds, but it could support the creation of a facility to enable bargains between copyright holders and the interested members of the public who could amass and proffer an equitable amount of funds. So... 1) Create the license that actually lives up to the name 'Creative Commons License' 2) Improve the language of free culture and provide evidence of its greater accuracy 3) Free Culture is the public's right to liberty in the public domain. Copyright is the unethical privilege of its suspension. 4) Demonstrate the purchase of a copyright in order to nullify it and you demonstrate that a work of art can be purchased without copyright. Thus demolishing the commercial bias of its favour. 5) Abolish copyright and patents.
_____ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of David Berry Sent: Tuesday, 19 December 2006 11:51am To: UK FreeCulture Discuss List; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [fc-uk-discuss] Fwd: [cc-lessigletter] CC Changes No doubt you all saw the 'news' that Creative Commons is to be headed by........ a venture capitalist... This bodes ill for free culture connected to Creative Commons and it is perhaps a good juncture to discuss ways forward for Free Culture and related ideas in the New Commons Capitalism. Best David Five hours later, in the Creative Commons party in the virtual world of Second Life, I made for me an announcement. As I removed the CC torch from my bag of objects, I told those in world, and in San Francisco, that Joi Ito, a venture capitalist from Japan and a key driver in the "sharing economy," would be replacing me as Chairman of Creative Commons. I will remain on the board, and as CEO. But from the moment I handed him the torch, he is CC's new Chairman. This is a very happy moment for CC. I'm not going anywhere -- CC will continue to get everything I can give. But we are movement, not a cult. And it is important that movements have leaders. I have had enormous respect for Joi since first meeting him in Japan in early 2000. It was a real coup when I was able to convince him to join our Board. Joi's whole ethic has been to build the sharing economy. That ethic of building is precisely where CC is going right now. This has been the best job I will have had. I can't describe how extraordinary it has been to watch this organization grow, nor how rewarding it has been to see the passion and energy it has inspired. We have tried to show the world something about how creativity works - not through obsessive control, but by creators inviting others to create and share as well. More and more, this is a message the world seems to get. But for now, let me leverage a bit the opportunity that the ambiguity of new leadership creates. After the thermometer is updated to reflect a very generous anonymous gift we just received, we will have just $100,000 left in our campaign. That's a lot to raise in two weeks, but I think we can do it. Indeed, you can look at this change in leadership in two ways, each of which gives some of you a reason for one last push: - Some of you have been loyal supporters of me from the very beginning. I can't begin to express how grateful I've been for this support, or for the generous thanks you've offered. To you, please show that support one more time, by supporting CC in this final two weeks of our drive. - Some of you have been loyal critics, with a different vision of copyright, or CC, and with a strong hope that the organization move beyond the particular vision I've offered. Now you have your chance: please celebrate the change, by supporting CC in this final two weeks of our drive. Either way, what both I and CC need most just now is your support. A simple click is all we need to get that going. http://creativecommons.org/support <http://creativecommons.org/support> Finally, thanks to all of you, and the Board of CC in particular, for allowing me this extraordinary opportunity. And join me in helping, and supporting, Joi Ito in his new role. Next week, a final letter with some final thoughts for CC. Archive of Lessig Letters http://creativecommons.org/support/letters <http://creativecommons.org/support/letters>
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