The idea of the Copyright has a very interesting history. One might think that given its importance and power in today’s society that its development as a concept would be straight-forward and direct. But in actuality, the copyright as we know it came into being moreso as an indirect result of the politics of control and the fear of an educated populous.
Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg
It all begins with the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg sometime in the year 1440. As the invention became more and more popular throughout europe, a great many Crowns and religious institutions began to see them as a threat to their positions and power. At that time, the dissemination of knowledge came solely from the church. In fact, during this time the church was the institution responsible for educating the masses. But not everyone received the education they had to give. Education was a privilege of the wealthy and elite, or those committed to a life in the church.
