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July 6, 2006

More on The Long Tail: Draconian Legislation May Be Good for the Head, but not the Tail

So with the general review done, let me note one point from The Long Tail that is particularly relevant for copyfighters.  Some argue that draconian copyright legislation, while pushed for primarily by major entertainment companies, is actually about protecting the institution of copyright law as a whole and thus all artists, big and small, hit or niche.  But as Anderson points out:

“Hollywood economics is not the same as Web video economics, and Madonna’s financial expectations are not the same as Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s.  But when Congress extends copyright terms for anothe decade at the request of the Disney lobby, they’re playing just to the top of the curve.  What’s good for Disney is not necessarily what’s good for America.  Likewise for legislation restricting technologies that allow digital file copying or video transmissions.  The problem is that the Long Tail doesn’t have a lobby, so all too often only the Short Head is heard.”

In fact, while some artists from the Head and Tail certainly share Hollywood’s sentiments, many of both groups do not.

More broadly, such restrictions are bad for our economy as a whole and tremendously harmful to innovators and consumers as well.  We do have a lobby, but we all have to make our voices heard now.

* Filed by Derek Slater at 2:27 am under General news
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