iCopyright Processed Four Million Instant Licenses in 2009

It's that time of year to assess how we did over the last 12 months and set goals for the New Year. The iCopyright system processed four million instant licenses in 2009, a 400% increase over 2008. As I write this on December 31, 2009, the system is processing about 25,000 licenses each day. At this rate, we should hit 10 million instant iCopyright licenses in 2010. "10 in 10," a catchy goal statement.

Most companies would be thrilled with this kind of growth. I am not. I look forward to the day when iCopyright is processing one million instant licenses each and every day. I won't be happy until we get there. I am frustrated with how long it is taking.

The problem is not the technology -- it is designed to scale just fine. The problem is not user disregard for copyright -- we have already proved that most users will respect creator and publisher rights if a simple (and affordable) mechanism is made available to them. Quite honestly, the problem is the creators and the publishers themselves. They whine about infringement of their content, but many do nothing about it. They don't implement the solutions that are available to them. Every piece of content that is published and distributed without an instant license mechanism attached to it, is another example of how people become indifferent about the rights of all content creators.

I hope 2010 is a better year for content owners. I hope more of them stand up for their rights and for copyright as a constitutional principle afforded to all creators.