With the advancements in digital technology and the popularization of computer networks, a big change is happening. It involves a drastic change in the relationship between the public and the artist and the artist's work.

It has become very easy with computer technology to copy and modify original works of art. I feel confident that soon computer software will be sophisticated enough to reproduce works of art as close to the original as we now can with music and audio materials. Up to now, every medium - film, music, publications - required a certain level of expertise to produce a professional product. But soon, computer software will integrate the necessary skills to make it easy for the ordinary person to produce a polished product. No longer will professional works come only from professionals.

In addition, computer networks now let anyone send those products to the public -- and without a big investment -- which used to be the case. Now anyone can send anything all over the world at a small cost. Not only send the work -- but publicize it cheaply.

Which raises the issue of copyright law. At the moment, there is no clear rule as to the distribution of works via computer network. I feel strongly that the current laws do not take into consideration all the advancements in technology. So it's necessary to find new ways of protecting artists in the digital and networking era. At the same time, we want to still let the computer users send and receive material freely and inexpensively.

So I've started a discussion on this subject on my World Wide Web site and devised a questionnaire, which I hope you will answer.