Illegal Art Comes to San Francisco
The terrific exhibit Illegal Art: Freedom of Expression in the Corporate Age has come to San Francisco. I caught it in New York, and look forward to seeing it again. (If you normally block pop-ups, don’t miss illegal-art’s EULA.)
Last night’s panel brought together a group of critics of the current intellectual property state. Just a few quotes:
Kembrew McLeod, who trademarked “Freedom of Expression” (reg. no. 2127381): After sending the trademark application to the PTO, he got an amendment from the examining attorney. “The problem was not that the PTO found a moral objection to trademarking FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, but that I hadn’t capitalized the phrase right.”
Lawrence Lessig: Fair use isn’t freedom. It only means “you have the right to hire a lawyer to fight for your right to create.”
Rick Prelinger: “What’s radical is not appropriationist art, but sending someone a bill when you’re quoted in a transformative way.”
