In an earlier post, I pondered some questions about how the Electras — John Kerry’s garage band from 1961 — can have their material re-released while other stuff languishes in the vaults, what if they didn’t want it re-released (who owns it, in other words), and since the Beastie Boys’ new CD has DRM on it, why can’t they fight it?
I took my questions to Larry Lessig and his replies to the Electras questions pointed to the usual vexatious copyright issues, but I was surprised at the DRM response. He said it likely wasn’t worth the cost, and when I asked for clarification — monetary or political — he said ‘political, sadly.’
I’m dumbfounded. I can’t tell anyone else how to run their affairs.
<aside> I’m reminded of the old joke about the commissar explaining socialism to the peasant: they agree that if the peasant had two tractors, two milking sheds, two combines, he would give one to the village. “And if you had two cows?”
“No.”
“Why not? You agreed to share the others.”
“But I have two cows.” </aside> The gulf between theory and practice . . .
But it seems that if an act like the Beastie Boys can’t really rebel, is there any hope at all? How is it they can’t just produce and distribute their stuff however they want?