Intellectual Property Legislation and Social Media

Intellectual property legislation faces new challenges posed by social media, especially in the area of copyrights. The magnitude of Internet publishing, coupled with the potential for viral transmission of published content, means that there may be many potential risks to intellectual property rights. For example, the law prohibits the recording of live music performances and the sale of those recordings. With access to social media sites, these recordings can be shared with the masses with a click of a button. Broad access to technology increases challenges to protecting against copyright infringement.

For this Discussion, select a current piece of U.S. legislation related to regulation of intellectual property. Consider how the legislation you select may be applied in a social media forum.

Post by Day 4 a description of the piece of legislation you selected. Then explain how this legislation may be applied in a social media forum. Finally, explain how social media might contribute to intellectual property theft.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.

Respond by Day 6 to at least one of your colleagues’ postings in one or more of the following ways:

• Ask a probing question.
• Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.
• Offer and support an opinion.
• Validate an idea with your own experience.
• Make a suggestion.
• Expand on your colleague’s posting.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.

Click on the Reply button below to reveal the textbox for entering your message. Then click on the Submit button to post your message.