Copyright vs Community in the age of computer networks

If it is correct that the future belongs to those that controls information, those that controls the software will be powerful. The mechanism to control software is copyright. Or, in other words, copyright on software is an issue that has important ramifications on society. According to Richard Stallman:

"Copyright was developed in the age of the printing press, and was designed to fit with the system of centralized copying imposed by the printing press. But the copyright system does not fit well with computer networks, and only draconian punishments can enforce it. The global corporations that profit from copyright are lobbying for draconian punishments, and to increase their copyright powers, while suppressing public access to technology. But if we seriously hope to serve the only legitimate purpose of copyright – to promote progress, for the benefit of the public – then we must make changes in the other direction."

Richard Stallman is a renowed programmer that spearheaded the "free software" movement in the -80's.

This is a rather long presentation (1:45). Thus, the screening will start at 10:00 (rather than 10:15) so that we can take a break from 11:00 to 11:15.