This book radically rethinks the philosophical basis of copyright in the arts. The author reflects on the ontology of arts to argue that current copyright laws cannot be justified.

James O. Young, FRSC, is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Victoria. He is the author of several books including Art and Knowledge (2001), Cultural Appropriation and the Arts (2008) and Critique of Pure Music (2014).

1. The Problems and the Keys to Their Solutions

2. Ontology of Artworks

3. Copyright and its Limits

4. Token Appropriation

5. Pattern Appropriation

6. Appropriations of Artistic Elements

Conclusion and Summary of Recommendations