Information Doesn't Want to Be Free: Laws for the Internet Age

Cory Doctorow outlines three distinct laws regarding the intersection of creative labor and digital copyright. He argues that the Internet is a tool for universal surveillance and control just as much as it is a platform for expression. The book details how Digital Rights Management (DRM) fails to stop piracy while simultaneously stripping creators of autonomy and endangering cybersecurity. Doctorow examines the decline of traditional gatekeepers and explains why blanket licensing and transparency in accounting provide more sustainable paths for artists than restrictive digital locks or aggressive litigation against fans.

Content creators, software developers, and policy makers read this text to understand the technical and legal mechanics of digital distribution. It serves those looking for practical strategies to build an audience without relying on intermediaries who control distributive bottlenecks. Readers gain a clear perspective on why open platforms and interoperability protect free speech and economic independence. The book provides a framework for navigating the tension between protecting intellectual property and maintaining a functional, open internet architecture.