SIVACRACY.NET: The Frequency of 'Fair Use'

I did a search of Lexis/Nexis among major US newspapers to find the frequency of stories containing "copyright" and "fair use." "Fair use" is a good proxy for stories that describe an actual conflict or lawsuit. Also, because few of the thousands of stories about p2p file sharing (Napster, Kazaa, Grokster, etc.) discussed fair use, I was able to get a picture of the frequency of stories that did relatively sophisticated stories on copyright battles.

If anyone can suggest better, more revealing search terms, let me know.

Here is what I found:

1992: 19 stories in major US newspapers about fair use.
1993: 32
1994: 33
1995: 28
1996: 44
1997: 34
1998: 66
1999: 16
2000: 93
2001: 92
2002: 80
2003: 82
2004: 57
2005: 113

Why the spikes? In 1998 the DMCA was in the papers, although the coverage was horrifying and shallow. In 2000 copyright issues broke out everywhere and more newspapers assigned the "copyright beat" to business or technology reporters in the wake of Napster. The following years echo that new sense of curiosity. In 2005, beats me. I have no idea why 2005 should be such a high year. Perhaps Google Library.

Any ideas?

Comments

The question should be why the frequency went down in 2004 (Presidential election and few legislative initiatives?). The general trend is upward, with 2005 consistent with the curve.

Posted by: Terry Maxwell | January 31, 2006 01:04 PM

I have observed the same 2005 spike of fair use discussion at my home: after being asked by my teen stepdaughter if we could get "Limewire" on our new 2005 computer, I ended up telling her "no" once I figured out what it was. Copyright may be getting more broadly discussed as a family/parenting issue. -PJ

Posted by: prowan | January 31, 2006 05:31 PM

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