The EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) has formed a coalition with a number of universities and law schools who are attempting to clarify the concept of fair use in our remix age.

According to a Reuters article, the UK Government has decided not to sleepwalk into extending copyright to 95 years (as in the USA) or even the minimum recommended by the recording industry of 70 years (as in Australia). This means that copyright in the UK will remain at 50 years.

I would like to congratulate the Government on this decision. As a member of an industry that is protected by copyright I recognize the value of a temporary monopoly over any work that I may create, but I am all to well aware of the overly constraining nature of long copyright.

This is one of greatest pieces on Copyright, the problems with it, and why you should care abut this important issue. Despite its age (2002) the presentation still feels as fresh and as relevant as is did back then. If you have never seen this (or even if you haven't seen it in a while) take the time to watch it now - it will be 30 minutes you will be glad you invested. <free culture> by Lawrence Lessig.

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