Business Quote by Lawrence Lessig
“But, like all metaphoric wars, the copyright wars are not actual conflicts of survival. Or at least, they are not conflicts for survival of a people or a society, even if they are wars of survival for certain businesses or, more accurately, business models. Thus we must keep i mind the other values or objectives that might also be affected by this war. We must make sure this war doesn't cost more than it is worth. We must be sure it is winnable, or winnable at a price we're willing to pay.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Copyright Reform Forum, 2008
Copyright disputes are strategic business battles, not existential threats to societies.
In simple terms: Copyright wars are about profit, not survival.
Weigh costs against benefits before engaging.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- corporate negotiations
- legislative lobbying
- digital media planning
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What values should guide copyright policy?
- How to balance creator rights with public access?
May overlook cultural value of shared knowledge.