"Copying Is Not Theft" animation with Jonathan Mann vocals

I liked Jonathan Mann's performance of "Copying Isn't Theft", but it was not an exact match to Nina Paley's animation. Here I've simply tweaked the video using Kino to match up the lipsync to Mann's singing. This is maybe my 2nd or 3rd Kino edit, but I don't think it's too awfully bad. As the credits say, the work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/us ).

OFFICIAL/Original animation version is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeTybKL1pM4
(Much higher production values -- mine is just a quick mock-up).

Jonathan Mann's original soundtrack is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMP3QOlWV64

And here's a video of Nina Paley singing this version of the song a capella: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTyWS-tuoWk

(Couldn't find the exact original that Jonathan Mann used -- it might not be on YouTube, but the version above is very similar).

Paley rearranged the words slightly (to "Copying is not theft" instead of "Copying isn't theft"), and Mann added the "Ah-ooh". So his version can't really be matched to Nina's video without some edits, which is why I created this. I just wanted to see what it would look like.

I've done some moderating on the comments here. I don't mind if people want to express their opinions on either side of this issue, but I think we can do without offensive language, ad hominem attacks, or other crudeness. I would encourage you to take your opinions to the official video, though, if you want better reach.

I find it remarkable how controversial this simple observation is -- it's a fundamental property of information products that they cannot be "stolen" in the same way that material things can. This does not mean there are not reasonable discussions to be had about remuneration for intellectual labor, but to compare copying to stealing is to fundamentally confuse the issue -- and of course some very powerful political lobbies have been trying to do just that. Which is the reason why Paley created this song and this video in the first place.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• copying
• free culture
• nina paley
• jonathan mann
• song
• creativecommons
• sharealike

[zentotoro]

another example of why money is the root of all evil.....

[SvenTheViking]

@mangere77 Yes, stealing their ideas right out of their heads. So they do not have those ideas any more.

Seriously, though: Support artists.

[57worldwide]

@Graggen I used to tape songs on (or from) the radio. It was still piracy, but was there a big deal about it? No. People would make mixtapes of the songs they like, wether recorded from radio or vinyl. Did it stop actual sales of albums? No.

Most music (and other media) which is illegally downloaded is done by people who would not otherwise be buying it. There is no large loss of money as a result of illegal downloads.

I have already said why buying the album is not always supporting the artist.

[Graggen]

@57worldwide I'm saying if the CD is available for buying you should buy it to support the artist (even if they only get a tiny share of every CD). since pirating is such an issue atm the "SOPA" might go through which would pretty much ruin sites like youtube (a bit extreme but the cause is still pirating).

Also the copying include games, movies, books and so on which in a larger scale funds the creation of more games and movies (books, not so much).

[Graggen]

@57worldwide If you can't get the CD in any other way than downloading I agree that you should go ahead and download it. about the radio taping, never did that and wasn't aware people do. then again only time I listen to the radio is when I'm driving.

[57worldwide]

@57worldwide Because you have brought up radio though, I will go with it. A small, independent radio station is promoting a smaller artist. They run a competition to give away an album not available in your country. One of your friends wins the album. You hear the album at your friends house. You ask to borrow the CD. They say they can't, as it is extremely rare. Do you still want to say, in this circumstance, sharing a copy of the album for no financial gain is wrong in some way? I disagree.

[57worldwide]

@Graggen I produce some sounds, but only as a hobby. I know people who record and release material.

I'm talking about someone downloading a copy of a CD which you can't otherwise get (no longer available, artist sells CDs themselves and is not near you, etc). You were talking about the smaller artists in your last comment, now you're talking about radio?

Let's use radio. We used to record songs onto tape from the radio - is this not supporting the artist either?

[Graggen]

@57worldwide If it was illegal to download (as it is in my country, although noone cares), your friend would've needed to buy the CD in the first place. or you could've heard the artist on the radio, someone linked the song on youtube etc.

I mean are you an artist or do you work at a company that deals with artists?

[57worldwide]

@Graggen Then there is the situation where the artist isn't touring the town, city, or country in which you reside. Then, why the fuck wouldn't you just download it? Which brings me to an earlier point, that you may not hear of an artist/group if your friend had not downloaded a copy.

I brought up the 'company discussion' because that is part of the equation. I know of underground artists, who release mixtapes for free download. They also tour.

By work, do you mean generating an income?

[Graggen]

@57worldwide So buy the CDs from the artists themselves? it's what I've been trying to say all along, but you brought up the whole company discussion. And question do you work in the music industry?

[57worldwide]

@Graggen That is not how it works. The company advertises the artists which they think will sell more. They don't advertise hoping that the artist will tour. That is the artist's manager's job. If the artist is managed by their label, and it is a 'major label', they shouldn't be (or, they know how it works and are willing to make the company's money).

CDs do not support touring artists. You can buy their CDs at their concert.

Smaller artists are likely selling their CDs themselves.

[Graggen]

@57worldwide Indirectly yes. If noone buys an album the artist will get released. Hence the artist doesn't have access to the company's studio. Then the artist will have to find new places to record (more work/harder time).

The company will also advertise their artist, do you think they will advertise an artist that isn't selling anything?

Also I don't give a rats ass about the big artists, I mean that you should buy CDs from the smaller artists that'll need every penny they get.