Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Can copyright law limit democratic debate on virtual worlds?
In this interview, Sunimal Mendis, Assistant Professor in Intellectual Property Law at Tilburg University, explores the complex relationship between copyright law, freedom of expression, and democratic discourse in digital spaces—and why these tensions become even sharper in the metaverse.
While copyright is often seen as restricting free speech, democratic theories of copyright tell a different story: copyright should exist to support public debate, critique, and cultural participation. From parodies and memes to remixing and virtual art, the ability to transform creative works plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion.
The conversation examines how copyright exceptions (such as parody, criticism, and review), fundamental rights like freedom of expression, and platform governance interact in online spaces. Using real-world examples—like the famous Charging Bull and Fearless Girl statues in New York—the interview shows how cultural reinterpretation can spark democratic debate.
The video then asks a pressing question: what happens when these disputes take place in privately owned virtual worlds governed by corporate rules or DAOs rather than public law?
👉 Want to be a part of many such exciting conversations? Join the #DIGI-APPS LinkedIn page to stay in the loop: linkedin.com/groups/13123638
For remarks or questions, please contact Sunimal Mendis via L.G.S.Mendis@tilburguniversity.edu.
#CopyrightLaw #FreeSpeech #Metaverse #DigitalCulture #LawAndTechnology #DemocracyOnline
Can copyright law limit democratic debate on virtual worlds?
In this interview, Sunimal Mendis, Assistant Professor in Intellectual Property Law at Tilburg University, explores the complex relationship between copyright law, freedom of expression, and democratic discourse in digital spaces—and why these tensions become even sharper in the metaverse.
While copyright is often seen as restricting free speech, democratic theories of copyright tell a different story: copyright should exist to support public debate, critique, and cultural participation. From parodies and memes to remixing and virtual art, the ability to transform creative works plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion.
The conversation examines how copyright exceptions (such as parody, criticism, and review), fundamental rights like freedom of expression, and platform governance interact in online spaces. Using real-world examples—like the famous Charging Bull and Fearless Girl statues in New York—the interview shows how cultural reinterpretation can spark democratic debate.
The video then asks a pressing question: what happens when these disputes take place in privately owned virtual worlds governed by corporate rules or DAOs rather than public law?
👉 Want to be a part of many such exciting conversations? Join the #DIGI-APPS LinkedIn page to stay in the loop: linkedin.com/groups/13123638
For remarks or questions, please contact Sunimal Mendis via L.G.S.Mendis@tilburguniversity.edu.
#CopyrightLaw #FreeSpeech #Metaverse #DigitalCulture #LawAndTechnology #DemocracyOnline
