Jim Baen's Universe

The Nature of Transitions Full Story

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I left off at the end of my column in the last issue of the magazine by posing the following question: Even if it’s only a mental experiment at the moment, what would happen if electronic publishing did become the dominant form of publication—or even the almost exclusive form? What if any changes would be needed in the various policies that I’ve advocated so far?

A Matter of Symbiosis Full Story

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In my last essay, I examined the question of whether e-books will be replacing paper books any time soon as the dominant format for publishing.

Paper books are not going to be joining the dodo any time soon. If ever. Full Story

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Beginning with this essay, I’m going to devote several essays in this column to analyzing the impact on publishing as electronic reading continues to expand.

The Pig-in-a-Poke Factor Full Story

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In this essay, I want to take up the second of the arguments that is often advanced against the policy of taking a relaxed attitude toward fair use when it comes to online publishing.

The Economics of Writing Full Story

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I ended my last essay by posing the two major objections to the policy of using free or cheap online distribution of an author’s works as a promotional method, which I both advocate and practice personally.

Spillage: or, The Way Fair Use Works in Favor of Authors and Publishers Full Story

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In my last essay, I said I would continue to explore the way in which fair use benefits authors and publishers. In fact, I went so far as to say that "fair use has always been the author's best friend" and I made the following two claims:

Books: The Opaque Market Full Story

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In my last essay, I approached the question of so-called online piracy from what I called a "negative" standpoint—by which I meant that I was content with knocking down the arguments advanced in favor of DRM.

There Ain't No Such Thing as a Free Lunch Full Story

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I ended my last essay as follows:

Is it true that modern electronic devices have made copyright infringement "so effortless" that it has become—or threatens to become—a serious menace to legitimate copyright owners?

The answer is "no." In the next issue, I'll explain why.

The Editor's Page December 2006 Full Story

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Since our third issue came out a few weeks ago, we've expanded our staff by adding two new people.

Lies, and More Lies Full Story

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What is Fair Use Full Story

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Although this column addresses the controversy surrounding so-called Digital Rights Management, I devoted my first three essays to a discussion of the general principles concerning copyright as such.

The Editor's Page October 2006 Full Story

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Jim Baen, the founder of this magazine, died three months ago. Between that and the fact that we've now had enough initial experience with Universe to have a much better sense of the prospects for the magazine than we did when we launched it at the end of last year, I think it would be appropriate for me to use this issue's Editor's Page to let our readers know what our current plans are.

Copyright: How Long Should It Be? Full Story

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I ended my last essay by presenting the general principles needed to answer the question, how long should copyright terms last?

The Realm of Words Full Story

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Damn Les Six. The way I see it, it's all their fault. Sure, you could blame Wolfgang. Humans would.

The Editor's Page August 2006 Full Story

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My original plans for this issue's "The Editor's Page" got swept aside last month by the death of Jim Baen, the man who launched the magazine and whose name is—and will remain—on the masthead.

McCauley on Copyright Full Story

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These are two speeches given by Thomas Macaulay in Parliament in 1841, when the issue of copyright was being hammered out. They are, no other word for it, brilliant—and cover everything fundamental which is involved in the issue.

Copyright: What Are the Proper Terms for the Debate? Full Story

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I want to continue my discussion of copyright, which I began in last issue's column, before turning my attention to the issue of so-called "Digital Rights Management" itself.

A Matter of Principle Full Story

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DRM isn't just evil. It's evil and stupid. The first of a continuing column on why.

June 2006 Full Story

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What is the role of short fiction in F & SF and why does it matter?