This article review is one geared towards those interested in cultural studies surrounding piracy, intellectual property and design. The article, After Piracy, is written by Yi-Chien Jessica Lin, the author of Fake Stuff: China and the Rise of Counterfeit Goods, and examines the piracy of goods and ideas within Taiwanese culture. Is there such thing as an original idea anymore? Does piracy or the imitation of others ideas help fuel creativity? How is piracy being used to help advance the modern cultural identity of a peoples often forgotten in pop culture? These are the main questions I will explore in the following paragraphs.

Intellectual property or creation of the mind is something that is protected by law against copying or imitation. The reasoning behind Intellectual Property laws is to advance creativity and innovation. If you cannot make money off of an existing idea, this should motivate you to come up with your own original ideas. Our author traces Trademark Laws back to the US industrial revolution and argues “that the introduction of such laws generate conditions for struggles over culture, ownership and property.” Most likely I believe to encourage the capitalist way of life.

This brings up the question of what an original idea is and if the concept even exists anymore. Mark Twain would argue that there are no original ideas, “For substantially all ideas are second-hand, consciously and unconsciously drawn from a million outside sources, and daily use by the garnerer with a pride and satisfaction born of the superstition that he originated them; whereas there is not a rag of originality about them anywhere except the little discoloration they get from his mental and moral calibre and his temperament, and which is revealed in characteristics of phrasing.” This means that every new idea is essentially just a pirated version of a number of previous thoughts and ideas.

Piracy in Taiwan, as examined by Lin goes hand in hand with innovation and the creative process. Young Taiwanese designers, when reflecting on piracy, “argued that copying facilitates new ideas of creativity from everyday life experiences.” I believe this to be true and if everyone can get past of the idea of Intellectual Property more innovation will occur.

Piracy is not only being used as a facilitator for new innovation but also as a way of advancing cultural identity within the often forced western influences. “In popular music, the remixing of lyrics with Chinese cultural references and western rhythms is more and more popular and widely accepted by the younger generation in Taiwan, Mainland China and even the population on the west coast in North America.” By making these ‘remixes’ of western influenced songs and making them relevant to their own culture, this allows them to preserve their culture instead of falling victim to western globalization.

Piracy is not a black and white issue and I now feel well informed on the positive effects that piracy may have on cultures outside of my own. I have attached the original article to this post and hope that my efforts will encourage you to read it.

Citations:

Image from: