ATG Hot Topic of the Week: Copyright (West & LexisNexis sued; Internet Blueprint seeks to reform copyright law)

Copyright is at the forefront yet again this week.  While West Publishing and LexisNexis battle a class action lawsuit (story here, official complaint here), Public Knowledge has just proposed the Internet Blueprint, with five ideas for reforming the law on copyright.  They aim to make sure copyright holders don’t abuse the system, including false claims of restrictions; to shorten copyright to the life of the creator plus 50 years; to clarify fair use; and to allow DRM to be broken for legal uses.  The Washington Post has an excellent rundown of the Internet Blueprint.  We’d love to know what you think about these two news stories!