Keep Piracy at Sea

K. Matthew Dames, Editor of Copycense is making national headlines in the current debate over the use of the word "piracy." Dames entered the fray two years back when he launched a discussion of "pirates" and "piracy" in his trend-making treatise on piracy. See: http:www.copycense.com).

According to the April 23, 2009 New York Times "Freakonomics" blog, Mr. Dames is quoted as saying: "Confusing piracy at sea with “piracy” on the internet, according to Copycense, is misleading "public relations blather."

Now of course, you realize that I only post such a disparaging comment about the field of public relations (yes, I know there are some many hacks out there, but I've never joined that suspect group of flaks/flacks, hacks, twisters and spinners, etc.) because er, well, Mr. Dames is (ahem) my client.

For a more in-depth, scholarly treatment of the matter, check out his paper, titled, "The Framing of Piracy: Etymology, Lobbying & Policy" at:
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1392914

Now if only someone would take up the battle to stop the misuse of "it's" and "its." The violators (many national advertising agencies, businesses, friends and neighbors) unfortunately, do not seem concerned with their evil-doing.

However, this author remains wistful that the egregious misuse of the two words will come to a halt in her lifetime. And as for the misuse of "piracy" in connection with intellectual property, good luck with that.

But nonetheless, I shall keep a hopeful watch out for Mr. Dames and his definitive quest to keep piracy at sea. Ahoy.