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Productive users, intellectual property and governance: the challenges of computer games

Humphreys, Sal (2005) Productive users, intellectual property and governance: the challenges of computer games. Media and Arts Law Review 10(4):pp. 299-310.

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Abstract

Computer games present challenges to intellectual property regimes that will become more widespread as interactive media, with their active, creative and productive users become more common. This article explores how production has moved from linear to networked and recursive models, involving users as producers in a variety of ways. It suggests that intellectual property and copyright law are based on linear models unsuited to these new forms. The article further explores the definition of content in the context of social software such as Massively Multi-user Online Games and raises issues pertaining to community governance by publishers, who have moved beyond their traditional role as managers of property rights and into the role of managers of communities.

Item Type:Journal Article
RM Number:2006002479
Status:Published
Keywords:Computer Games, Video Games, Multiuser Online Games, MMOG, Intellectual Property
Subjects:400000 Journalism, Librarianship and Curatorial Studies > 400100 Journalism, Communication and Media
ID Code:4311
Deposited By:Humphreys, Sal
Deposited On:26 May 2006
Alternative Locations:http://www.law.unimelb.edu.au/cmcl/malr/index.html
Copyright Owner:Copyright 2005 Lexis Nexis
Copyright Statement:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.