M/C Journal: 'copy' CFP

I posted the call for papers for the upcoming 'copy' issue of M/C Journal today:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 18 April 2005

M/C - Media and Culture
http://www.media-culture.org.au/
is calling for contributors to the 'copy' issue of

M/C Journal
http://journal.media-culture.org.au/

M/C Journal is looking for new contributors. M/C is a crossover journal between the popular and the academic, and a blind- and peer-reviewed journal.

To see what M/C Journal is all about, check out our Website, which contains all the issues released so far, at <http://journal.media-culture.org.au/>.
To find out how and in what format to contribute your work, visit
<http://journal.media-culture.org.au/journal/submission.php>.

Call for Papers: 'copy'
Edited by Rachel Cobcroft and Susanna Leisten

Embracing emulations, imitations, and attendant questions of authenticity, 'copy' confronts the divide between 'original' and its replica: the fake, the forged, the fabricated, alongside the legally duplicated and faithfully reproduced. In no small way, the modern economy relies on the process of 'copy': mass production works according to templates, making use of licencing under patent agreements ('For a fee, you may copy this'). Creators often copy the latest trends, and design often emulates accepted norms. But are we allowed to 'rip, mix, and share' at will? In exploiting and examining this commodification, where Campbell's soup tins become icons, is 'fair use' enough? Does fidelity to the original remain the marker of quality and respect?

The distribution of Intellectual Property – music, games, graphics, text – is increasingly facilitated by current technologies, and most markedly in the digital realm. Copyright legislation challenges the owners of iPods, video recorders, and analogue tape decks to abide by what is often seen as archaic law. We ask: Has the balance between the interests of creators/producers and the public evolved beyond recognition from that intended by original IPR policy makers? What are the alternatives to the current regimes? In contrast to the 'locked down' environment, where Digital Rights Management (DRM) technologies are positioned, does the Creative Commons work to invite 'copy' and reuse? Is it the user or creator who ultimately benefits from the process of 'copy'? Moreover, are we challenging the cultural and philosophical underpinnings of the process of 'copy'? Has ‘copying’ obtained unfairly negative connotations, particularly since it is genetically encoded into us and influences how all infants learn and adapt?

We invite contributions to all aspects of 'copy' from creators, consumers, legislators, and critics. Send 1000-1500 word articles to copy@journal.media-culture.org.au.

For more information: copy@journal.media-culture.org.au

Article deadline:        6 May 2005
Issue release date:   29 June 205

M/C Journal was founded (as "M/C - A Journal of Media and Culture") in 1998 as a place of public intellectualism analysing and critiquing the meeting of media and culture. Contributors are directed to past issues of M/C Journal for examples of style and content, and to the submissions page for comprehensive article submission guidelines. M/C Journal articles are blind peer-reviewed.

---

Further M/C Journal issues scheduled for 2005:

'scan': article deadline 1 July 2005, release date 24 August 2005 
'review': article deadline 26 August 2005, release date 19 October 2005
'affect': article deadline 21 October 2005, release date 14 December 2005 

---

M/C - Media and Culture is located at <http://www.media-culture.org.au/>.

---

M/C Journal is online at <http://journal.media-culture.org.au/>.
All past issues of M/C Journal on various topics are available there.

---

M/C Reviews is available at <http://reviews.media-culture.org.au/>.