Amir+Patterson

Reflection 2

Amir Patterson BTMM 1701 Prof. Moore 7/20/2012

In today’s world, every piece of art that we create intentionally or unintentionally is automatically copyrighted by us because we are the creators. For example, right now if I take a photograph of my bedroom and posted it to a website, I’ll have the right to copyright my photo and press charges for copyright infringement on anyone that violates the laws of my bedroom photograph. Due to fair use laws, my photograph could still be used by people who seek to educate, critique or improve the quality of my photograph. In project one, my partners Brandon Hewlett, Matt McMaster and I presented a powerpoint presentation discussing the internet and social sites serving as a tool for struggling musicians to develop a following and be discovered by prestigious record companies and established superstars. We use photos of Meek Mill, Justin Bieber, and Soulja Boy as familiar faces who’ve made their rise to music fame through YouTube, Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, etc. The fair use laws protect our project because we are using the copyrighted images for educational purposes as well as critiquing the internet’s involvement in assisting the rise of the struggling, independent music artist compared to the more traditional ways of discovering new talented musicians. These laws prevent us from being sued by owners of the photographs for including their photos, logos, and other material because we’re discussing educational issues. In closing, the issue of copyright is a very sensitive one. It’s very easy to confuse the laws and end up paying consequences but there are many loopholes to counter use or input of someone’s copyrighted material. Fair use laws are among those “loopholes” that I speak of. Once the fair use laws are understood and applied, your argument to apply copyrighted material in your piece becomes fair game.

Reflection 1: What is a "remix"? Provide your own definition for the term remix. Then describe a time in your life that you have experienced or created a remix according to your definition. Reflect on both the source material for the remix and the new work. In my opinion, a remix isn't just when an artist remakes a new song out of an original song but it also occurs in everyday life when we modify a new version out of something original or doing something differently from a usual norm. For example, I encountered a situation where I had to remix my route to work due to construction. As I drove to work, my usualy, repetitive route to work was interrupted by a construction. Though, I have been at my job for several years, I'm unfamiliar with the area because I never travel around the surrounding area or try different routes. When my usual road was blocked, I was forced to remix my route and modify my usual route to work.