ChiefNode

Innovation is everywhere

An editorial comment.

We've read for years about the dire state of innovation. That content owners who lock up rights will ruin the ability to create new, innovative works in the future.

The mash-up seems to be counter to that trend. Mash-ups are now so common that even lawyers are doing them. If laywers are engaging, can it really be that controversial and tough to do?

Now some will argue that this is an isolated case; that the mash-up original content owners are enlightened and enable this behavior; that this is not truly innovative (just building on others' content); or that this is just in applications, not in the creative content that they want.

Some of these may be true. But there is progress. I personally believe folks have become overly reliant on law. Business models and customer contact must also play a role. Models which recognize the customer as an innovative participant; the importance of the relationship; and customization may lead us out of "I'll sue if you don't. . . " world.

posted by Dana Bostrom @ 11:15