I libri nella tempesta perfetta": dal copyright al controllo delle informazioni digitali = Books into the "perfect storm": from copyright to the control of information"

In this paper, I use some metaphors (perfect storm, pirates, zombies and cor-sairs) to present some arguments against the strengthening of copyright in the market of e-books. In particular, I will argue that the strengthening of exclusive rights, through law, user licenses and technological protection, is one of factors that distorts competition and hampers innovation. A strong copyright fosters a market dominated by few big actors. Moreover, in this scenario the role of traditional publishers and public libraries is marginalized. On the contrary, a more flexible copyright based on open licenses and focused on the attribution right incentives competition and promotes pluralism in business models. In other words, we need to rethink the copyright law in order to foster competition and innovation in the market of e-books.