MINE!

How does ownership change shape in digital spaces? Well, if possession is nine points of the law (which of course it's not, but humor me), then digital ownership is nearly impossible--how do you, as an individual, "possess" a text that can exist simulaneously in any number of locations in exactly the same form and quality as when it was first developed? Luckily, thanks to our intellectual property laws, we're already used to the idea that one can own the intangible, so it's not that much of a stretch for us to believe that one can own something that really exists as a collection of ones and zeros zipping back and forth between computers.

In reality, ownership doesn't really change in digital spaces--digital or not, you "own" something if a majority of the dominant forces in society agree that you own it, case closed. However, our concept of ownership, or perhaps our respect for it, does change in the move online--we seem more open to allowing others to use our property in their own work, and more open to using the work of others. If we tried to pay for a rental car by offering to stitch the "Avis" logo onto all of our clothes, people would think we were nuts. But the use of many digital services can be "purchased" by the placing of the logo of (with accompanying link to) the website of the service provider. (The fact that this logo/link inclusion is frequently on the honors system is a whole 'nother kettle of fish.) Then there's the problem of html code, and images--both of which can be lifted from websites and manipulated in ways that make it impossible to trace them back to their original sources, and both of which are usually the "property" of individuals without the wherewithal or inclination to chase after online thieves. Makes me wonder if this laxness towards ideas of ownership will ever find its way back to the non-digital world--scary thought, that is--that "ownership" will become nothing more than having the financial resources to defend your claim more strongly than anyone else. Oh, wait--that's kind of how it works now...forget I said anything. (Sorry, evil overlords. Please don't take my car.)