Republican Study Committee and Copyright
James Gimbi
Note to reader: This post is from an old blog called AbolishIP. See What was ‘AbolishIP’? for more information
This paper by then Republican Study Committee staffer Derek Khanna very directly tackles copyright issues. The study points out, among other things, that the Constitutional justification for copyright protection was not to ensure that creators (and, more accurately, their exploitative publishers) get what they “deserve” by virtue of their creations, but rather “to promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts” (US Constitution, Article 1 Section 8). Khanna argues that copyright has failed this Constitutional end.
Despite the fact that the piece had passed all RSC internal review procedures and had been met with widespread approval of conservative pundits and bloggers, it was swiftly retracted due to the incredible pressure Big Entertainment levied on GOP suits (namely, RSC Executive Director Paul S. Teller). Khanna was let go and has not been able to find work since. Somehow I doubt he’ll have trouble for long; the ordeal has made him something of a celebrity in the IP reform community and he has received praise across the political spectrum.
The paper falls short of perfect. It makes a claims of fact without citation, gives credence to the idea that copyright is real and necessary, and presents a seemingly arbitrary solution (albeit a likely effective one). That said, such a document released by the primary intellectual arm of a major political party, even if it was promptly rescinded, represents a step forward for exclusive privilege reform.
Source: hyperorg.com