My review of Information doesn't want to be free: laws for the internet age

Information Doesn't Want to Be Free: Laws for the Internet Age by Cory Doctorow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am tempted to simply say read this, it is useful (and full of stories), but that may not be enough.

This is an excellent book for library workers to read as it is a reminder about the importance of changing copyright laws. This book is written to target writers and other creators of content, and the information for this sector has big implications for libraries. It also can be used by libraries who are creators of content (which perhaps should be all libraries).

How content it created and distributed can change how it can be collected by libraries, and some of the methods used would present challenges to purchase orders. Reading this raises many questions for library staff to think about for collecting content so that it is accessible now and into the future.

This is an angry and yet a hopeful book, with much useful information. It is a fast read, with much to think about.

To quote from this book "I don't think the conclusion is foreordained. ON bad days. I'm petrified of the extent to which a despot could use technology to perfectly spy, to perfectly coordinate an army of thugs. But even on bad days, I believe that the only answer to this fear is to seize the means of information and ensure that technology's benefits are distributed to everyone, not just the powerful. A refusal to engage with (or protect) technology doesn't mean that the bad guys won't get it - just that the good guys will end up unarmed in the fights that are to come."

Also from the book "If we have to choose between that vision of copyright and a world where more people can create, more audiences can be served, where our devices are our honest servants and don't betray us, where our networks are not designed for censorship and surveillance, then I choose the latter, I hope you would too."

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