Robert S. Boynton

Like Boynton, I think that the copyright laws have gotten a little out of control and strict at times. If it involves the Girl Scouts raising the price of Thin Mints to pay expenses for a few campfire songs- where do I sign up for the revolution. I think people are entitled for some form of payment if they provide services such as music, art, literature, scientific findings, etc., but when Donald Trump and Paris Hilton start copyrighting their catch phrases, there as to be some ground rules or leeways to copyrights. I agree with the rights of people to collaborate, sample, and pull from past sources to make something new and different- it's hard to be completely "original." I disagree with Copy Left's idea that the current copyright regulations will cause a stagnation in creativity. They feel that the laws will send us in a time warp, turning us back into talking monkeys. If history has proved anything, very little has stopped man from seeking knowledge and information, whatever the cost. So to cry about paying 99 cents for a song, seems a little childish to me when looking at the big picture. We as American citizens, believe it or not, have the ability to change the governments rules on Copyrighting if we feel this is the work of a tyrant. However, in college right now, I will happily reach into the information cookie jar until I spoil my dinner.