A short note before we start. Sometimes I use the terms culture and arts interchangeably. Firstly, arts are the most typical representative of culture, so I am using arts to explore culture itself. Secondly, whatever we can say about culture in general, naturally applies to the arts.
Now, on with our subject. The idea of copyright, related laws, practices, and institutions are all different aspects of a certain attempt to govern culture. It has been being an ongoing attempt for about 300 years. My question is thus: Has it been a success? Or let us put it another way: Has it been a proper governance? The issue is very hot nowadays, and the right answer is vital, but how can we judge? I insist that the only proper answer is one that is based on culture itself. What do I mean?
Ancient Romans said, "Natura parendo vincitur," that is, "Obeying nature, one wins." In other words, we get the best fruits of nature if we obey its laws. And vice versa, nothing but harm comes from trying to impose our wishes on nature against its laws. Sounds reasonable, doesn't it?
I want to ask then: What about culture? Should we try to obey its inner laws or, say, "the laws of the nature" of culture, while attempting to govern it? Or can we take laws derived from other areas and apply them to culture? Witnessing what is going on today, any reasonable person would doubt the latter, willing or unwilling.
Now, let us have a close look at the subject.
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