James Boyle (1) (1959–)

Authors of the book have chosen a very interesting way to convey a somewhat complicated history of music and it's copyright laws - comic.

Written by two law professors it tries to show that most of the music is basically a remix. And how copyright laws which were started for a good cause could stop the innovation in this field. Good thing technology in recent years made music available for anyone to listen as well as create it. I believe this quote from the book sums it up pretty well:

We have two realms of culture now. One, Informal, fleeting, and online. The other kind of music Is legal, licensed, pervasive and permanent.

P.S. Make sure to follow the audio companion of the book which makes it so much more interactive!… (more)

Perhaps the coolest thing here is how laws and regulations can shape entire industries in fundamental ways. This might seem like a banal observation but watching the evolution of music over hundreds of years being shaped by laws and their long-term consequences is enough to instill anyone with an appreciation for the history-shaping effects of legal debate. Also, regulation is tough business. There are no easy answers when something as universal as musical notation can be used a mechanism of control.

The comic is full of subtle references from art, literature and popculture (perhaps in keeping with the author's idea of "theft"), but on the whole doesn't get too creative with the form. Few pages do stand out for their creative brilliance, but only a few. It's understandably focused on function more than form, and there are some highlights like the split-personality thing they use to illustrate the two sides of the copyright debate.

Recommend to those who'd like to dive into the legal side of the music industry in an accessible and fun way. It has been more important in shaping today's music scene than we might reckon.… (more)