An interesting take on the evolution of culture and copyright

Good art is good PR: Artists used to be sponsored by the very rich, partly so that the patrons might be remembered by their association with a work of art valuable (and preserved) for its own sake. Today’s artists are sponsored by middlemen (broadcasters, content providers, music publishers, etc.) to create content for its own sake, which is then bundled with advertisements and sold or otherwise distributed to the public – but in a copyright-controlled fashion.

Coming soon to our universe: advertisers who sponsor art where « product placement » is an integral feature of the art itself. Check out www.bmwfilms.com as an example of cool content that wants to be free – and freely distributed. Will this kind of art outlast the product?

[via Bill Fitler’s HeisenBlog]