Category: Podcasts

Family Copyrights with William Hammerstein (Podcast)

Will Hammerstein Part I
Will Hammerstein Part II

As the debate will no doubt rage (or stomp its feet) on the subject of copyright review in the coming year, one subject that will assuredly be on the table will be the terms of copyright (i.e. how long ownership can last). There is a persistent assumption that these terms are somehow the exclusive privilege of large corporations.  As Robert Levine will point out, of course, right now “copyright terms last about ten minutes” because that’s how long it takes for work to be poached on the Internet, but it should also be understood that families and other legacy rights holders have played an important role in preserving the integrity, purpose, and continuity of works for the benefit of generations born long after the creators are gone.  One body of work that has remained relevant and popular are the musicals of Oscar Hammerstein II.

William is the grandson of Oscar II, who gave us some of the most famous musicals in the world, including Show Boat, Oklahoma, South Pacific, and The Sound of Music.  The most renowned of these were of course produced with long-time partner, composer Richard Rogers.  Today, Will Hammerstein is an environmental lawyer, who  sees a link between the stewardship of natural treasures and artistic ones.  Will is also the Executive Director of the Oscar Hammerstein’s Highland Farm, which is a project to turn the home where Oscar wrote most of his work into a museum about the man and the medium.

Will spoke to me via Skype from his home in New York City.

Theme music by Sandy Davis.

Talking Piracy with Dr. David Price (Podcast)

David Price Part I
David Price Part II

Last week, London-based NetNames released a report entitled Sizing the piracy universe, which reveals substantial evidence that piracy of entertainment media increased substantially over a 15-month period of study.  The author of that report is Dr. David Price, Director of Piracy and Counterfeit Analysis at NetNames. Dr. Price was kind enough to take about an hour of his time for a conversation via Skype.  We discussed the report itself, of course, but also other issues related to piracy and digital distribution opportunities and threats as well as a broader discussion as to why people might want to pay attention to this issue.  This is Part I of our discussion. Listen to Part II here.

Dr. David Price Bio

Dr David Price is  a leading expert in digital piracy and online counterfeiting and currently Director of Piracy and Counterfeit Analysis at NetNames. David has well over a decade of specialist experience working with companies seeking to understand the advantages and dangers of internet technologies. He designs research solutions and provides client-focused analysis that addresses the specific needs of content and technology companies.

David is a leading authority on the propagation and spread of digital piracy over time and across ecosystems, carefully analysing the underlying strategic reasons for specific instances of piracy and demonstrating how they came to be and – just as importantly for content owners – where they are heading in the future. David’s work (such as the groundbreaking reports ‘Estimate of Infringing Use of the Internet’ and ‘Sizing the piracy universe’) has been discussed in hundreds of publications, cited in Senate hearings, and his technical expertise is often used in legal cases. He is a frequent contributor to relevant topics in the media.

Conversation with Chris Ruen (Podcast)

Chris Ruen Part I
Chris Ruen Part II
From OR Books.

Freeloading: How Our Insatiable Appetite for Free Content Starves Creativity

In his new book, author Chris Ruen provides a glimpse into his personal transition from consumer of free media to advocate for artists’ rights and a more rational conversation about copyright in the digital age.  Ruen shares his own thoughts about common justifications for online piracy, about the mechanics behind the anti-SOPA protest, and about his own proposals for a renewed dialogue about copyright reform and enforcement.  While certain professionals on either side of the debate may take issue with Ruen’s specific, legal proposals, I believe the general reader with even a passing interest in the cultural aspects of what Ruen calls “freeloading,” can learn a great deal from this book.  In particular, the middle third of the work is comprised of interviews with musicians and producers from the independent punk scene — guys who are about as anti-establishment as it gets — and their no-nonsense views on the rationales supporting online piracy are well worth the attention of anyone who thinks he’s stickin’ to The Man by downloading torrents.

I spoke to Chris last week via Skype and found our conversation very engaging. In fact, I’m providing the discussion almost unedited, without introduction, and in two parts.  I hope you find these podcasts interesting and that you’ll let me know what you think.

For more information about Chris or to buy a copy of Freelaoding:  How Our Insatiable Appetite for Free Content Starves Creativity, visit www.chrisruen.com