Copyright Politics in the Age of Platform Capitalism

The interests of authors and consumers are intertwined in these times of user-generated content. Music is no longer purchased, but rented as a service; access licenses and automated control technologies are playing an increasingly pivotal role in the copyright-based cultural industry. Complaints over illegal downloads have long since given way to outrage over the profit-making logics of online platforms. Streaming services negotiate new deals with the old greats of the media industry from which the artists don’t reap any benefits. What are the consequences of these trends for the music and cultural production of tomorrow? How can they be influenced for more transparency and fairer conditions? What regulatory framework is really suitable?

With Niva Elkin-Koren (Faculty of Law, University of Haifa), Joe Karaganis (The American Assembly, Columbia University), Rasmus Fleischer (Department of Economic History, Stockholm University), Martin Kretschmer (School of Law, University of Glasgow)