THE FREE CULTURE COMMONS AND FUTURE GENERATIONSBy Nathan OttoA ThesisPresented to the Department of Political Science and the Clark Honors Collegeof the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirementsfor the degree of Bachelor of Arts November 2008

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iiiAn Abstract of the Thesis of Nathan Andrew Ottofor the degree of Bachelor of ArtsIn the Department of Political Scienceto be taken November 18, 2008Title: THE FREE CULTURE COMMONS AND FUTURE GENERATIONSApproved: ______________________________ Professor John DavidsonABSTRACT:This paper presents an argument to artists and other content creators about the controlthey assume over their “intellectual property.” Through recognition of the flawedmetaphors behind the concept of intellectual property and the adoption of new metaphors,a responsibility to protect the freedom of speech of future generations is revealed. Itrequires that those who create content and protect it under the Copyright powers grantedto Congress in the Constitution of the United States adopt the minimal protectionrequired to incentivize the creation of this content. An alternative metaphor that “ideasare children” reveals a set of possibilities and responsibilities over ideas that are closer tothe natural characteristics of ideas, recognizing that ideas (and their expressions in digitalcontent) have the special ability to be shared with no loss of quality. Artists who adopt analternative perspective toward their ideas will recognize the value of freedom of speechfor future generations.