Thanks for the contribution. At the P2P Foundation, we try to navigate some contradictory waters, i.e. both to be an organization that is squarely to the side of p2p dynamics, but also a pluralistic platform about ways to achieve it. This means we regularly publish items that we may not agree with (I’m speaking for myself here), but we recognize they are part of the debate and experimentation during this transition period.

It’s important to know what the two sides are. In my view, they are the rights of citizens to cultural creation and sharing; but on the other, the ability of creators to make a living (including the same ability of those intermediaries who create real value around it). For me, the best thinking and solutions around this come from Philippe Aigrain, check out his name in our wiki search book for his commons-oriented solutions to the filesharing/creative incomes conundrum,

I’m not an absolutist in terms of IP, as I can still see a justification to temporarily protect the human effort involved in creative projects, but agree that it should be very drastically reduced (a time period between five and fourteen seems justified). This does not mean sharing should be criminalized in any way, but people who profit commercially from other people’s work could be expected to share their proceeds with the original creators.

Michel

We know that the content industry is abusing copyright and has done so for years – All you’ve to do is to look at the Constitution and compare the intentions of the founding fathers to what has become of copyright – The content industry is like a cancer – It spreads and ultimately kills the body – that is the community as a whole – This cancer not only effects the USA but even free and democratic countries in Europe and other places in the world – like Australia and New Zealand – The content industry like the American weapon industry have powerful political allies – for example the current vice president Joe Biden – What allies does the man in the street possible have? – A few net activists – some few voices crying out in a deserted dessert – that’s all

So Michael – there is no way that these sides ever are going to meet halfway and a compromise could be achieved. – The battle is way unequal – It doesn’t help either that those who have the possibility to take the side of the people and the ability to voice their rights – like people as yourself – consider themselves as right holders and therefor are biased in this matter – Your article shows lack of perspective – We don’t need to make these parts make peace – That’s an impossibility – What we need to do instead is to seriously restrain the content industry and create laws which will keep them in place for a long time – Have any of you who’re writing intelligent articles in this matter ever considered The Universal Declaration Of Human Rights? – Maybe you should and carefully read article 19 which states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

So – I’m just asking why no one in the media – like the press TV and all that – EVER have mentioned that sharing files on a none commercial bases (seek – receive and impart information) is a human right and that copyright in it’s current form is a serious violation of human rights? – Do answer me if you can Michel because I’ve been wondering about this question for ages – Wile you’re at it do have a look at article 27:2 as well – which concerns the human rights of an author: “Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.” – Now tell me Michel – what kinda material interests results can possibly result from P2P files haring?

So to make this short – The attempt and your effort to bring along these 2 sides is dead before it’s even born – My advice to you is – pick a side and stick to it – and if you’ve courage and conscious enough – then pick the side of those who’ve no voice – no organization – no funds – and no allies either in the political arena – the justice department or in the media