Nets, Webs, Chains and Domains (music and ownership)

In the controversy over file sharing the perspective of music makers is often overlooked. Loudest are the voices of copyright holders and industry representatives, their lawyers and politicians. For the vast majority of musicians, however, the current regime is neither just nor practical. Its inherent contradictions have been starkly revealed by digital technology but those contradictions have been there all along. This talk will bring the perspective of the music maker (inclusive of musicians, composers, sound engineers and instrument builders) to a discussion of three crucial questions: 1. Public Domain, traditional music and the protection of music composed by no one., 2. the abolition of copyright and its replacement by accurate credit and just compensation, 3. internet downloading, audience building and the creation of value.