Sprigman, Christopher. "Fashion Copyright, 'Corruption,' and the Unheard Consumer." Public Knowledge Blog. http://www.publicknowledge.org/node/1404. February 20, 2008.

Christopher Sprigman, author of the article, "The Piracy Paradox: Innovation and Intellectual Property in Fashion Design, wrote this blog, which elaborates on the common corruption of the intellectual property lawmaking process. More specifically, he argues that fashion is fueled by the copying. Yet the CFDA, which is run by a select few elite designers, is advocating a stronger IP for fashion designs. The problem though, is that the CFDA is only run by a small number of high-end designers, and the majority of the other designers have no say in this. Furthermore, the CFDA pursues similar goals as famous industries in Hollywood becuase they give a large amount of money to them. This is why there are so many Congressman in favor of a stronger fashion IP - not becuase it is the right thing to do, but because they are given money for it. Therefore, this blog focuses on the Congress aspect of fashion copyright.

Although this source is a blog, the author, who is also the author of another one of my very important sources, makes many good points about why certain individuals strive for a fashion copyright, even though it may not be the best decision. In particular, the author talks about the influence the CFDA receives from pursuing a stronger IP, although it does not represent most designers' views. Therefore, this blog will provide me with more reasons explaining why it is wrong to place a copyright on fashion. I will also be able to utilize many of Sprigman's statements in the blog to support my thesis.

Sprigman, Christopher. "Fashion Copyright, 'Corruption,' and the Unheard Consumer." Public Knowledge Blog. http://www.publicknowledge.org/node/1404. February 20, 2008.

This blog provides some very useful insight into how the fashion industry works and the corruption plauging the industry. The fashion industry's success can be attributed to the cyclical nature of consumption. Basically, copying helps to set trends, trends lead to consumption, more copying destroys that same trend due to overexposure, and the industry moves on to new trends. Therefore, copying does not harm the process; it is the process that creates profits in fashion. Why then would anyone want to destroy the process that generates money? Sprigman answers this question by accusing the Council for Fashion Designers of America of corruption and selfishness. The CFDA is the group that is promoting copyright laws for fashion design. However, the CFDA only represents a small fraction of the industry, the elite designers. The needs of the thousands of non-elite designers, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and consumers are completely overlooked by the CFDA. These elite designers, who sell clothes for ridiculous prices, are the only ones who can afford to compete and prosper in a revised industry where every design is subject to infrigement suits. This is because these elite groups are the only ones who can afford lawyers. Just to increase profit a little for the small group of elite designers, the CFDA is going to raise prices and reduce consumer choices in an industry that has been incredibly successful for a very long time. These laws hurt consumers. However, consumer needs are ignored because of corrupt politics. These elite corporations can afford to pay Congressmen to sponsor the passing of bills they support. Therefore, intellectual property laws are badly warped due to elite desires and political corruption.

Although blogs are not necessarily the most reliable sources, the author of this blog is Chris Sprigman, the author of the Piracy Paradox. This blog is so interesting because it provides a completely different take on the fashion copyright war: a political angle. Rather than having an equal amount of people of either side of the debate, Sprigman argues that only a very few elite designers actually support these laws. The other supporters, such as those in Congress, are just a result of corruption. The argument here is the decision made regarding this issue should benefit the majority or the "public good." Since the CFDA is a small fraction of the fashion industry, passing these laws would harm the majority simply because this elite group is able to buy support. Therefore, this article is structured around attacking the CFDA and Congress and their reasons for supporting design protection. This will be very beneficial to my paper and argument since I can use these claims to counterargue declarations that fashion copyright will benefit the industry, consumers, and the fashion cycle.