Informed media literacy is key to making a fair and reliable provider to consumer relationship. Spearheaded by the NYLS chapter of Students for Free Culture, Creating an Alternative Copyright Education, will develop methods to generate an accurate and balanced copyright education.

Many IP-heavy industries, such as the entertainment industry, have undertaken efforts to educate creators and consumers about the consequences of using copyrighted works, but they only tell one side of the story. The “use at your own risk” narrative woven by supporters of strong copyright laws minimizes fair use and discourages remix, collage, and other critical engagements with video. With a new generation of creators and technologies driving the evolution of our cultural ecosystem, it is essential for them to understand the true extent of their rights.

Educational projects like the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Teaching Copyright curriculum, QuestionCopyright.Org’s Minute Memes, and American University’s Best Practices in Fair Use project have gone a long way towards introducing a more balanced perspective that challenges many accepted norms within the IP landscape. And a new generation of librarians are taking a balanced approach to copyright, which weighs creator’s rights along with the rights of readers. These efforts are helping empower information consumers in a more active way.

But, more needs to be done. Helping creators and consumers realize the full scope of their legal protections requires educational efforts as determined and zealous as industry efforts that teach away from free culture. Some, like Fred von Lohmann of Google, have suggested that users should teach other users. How can these efforts reach a broader audience? How can educators coordinate to create more compelling resources?

At OVC this year we are going to develop new ways to teach a balanced copyright education. You can join us from September 10th to the 12th to be a part of that development. Register today.