NHR research

One of the articles Lethem quoted came from a 2004 New York Times article written by Robert S. Boyntan titled "The Tyranny of Copyright?". Essentially, the article discusses the negative effects copyright has had on society and all the limitations it has imposed on the spread of information. Boyntan highlights a social reform movement that has been forming in protest that has been deemed under the term "Copy Left" and essentially consists of reformers opposed to the distortion of the use of copyright. While it is believed to be necessary, Boyntan highlights how it is exploited and misused, limiting freedom as well as manipulating the public. He specifically highlights an anecdote where a company that makes election voting machines was exposed for its inadequate security system, as the machines were very susceptible to hacking, by college students who had emails and memos proving such information. I see this as very interesting because copyright is intended to protect, but when it used to manipulate the public by companies saying "take it down or I'll sue", it does not seem to have a very beneficial effect on society, but only on the company. Without a doubt, I see copyright as important, and as a business major, it is easy to see the evident gap between how one wants to portray their business to the public, and how it is really run. However, I do see how it can be limiting freedoms, such as Boyntan points out. The Copy Left movement seems like something very interesting that I would be willing to look more into, as well.

Boyntan, Robert S. "The Tyranny of Copyright?" NYTimes.com. New York Times Magazine, 25 January 2004. Web. 19 October 2016. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/25/magazine/the-tyranny-of-copyright.html