"A free culture is not a culture without property; it is not a culture in which artists don't get paid"

Lawrence Lessig's quote, "A complimentary culture is not a culture without property; it is not a culture in which artists don't get paid", encapsulates a nuanced view of copyright, creativity, and compensation. Lessig, a prominent supporter for digital rights and the founding figure of Imaginative Commons, is attending to the balance between safeguarding innovative works and fostering an open culture.

The idea of a "totally free culture" is often misconstrued as a require the abolition of copyright, but Lessig's statement refutes this misconception. He stresses that free culture does not relate to an absence of intellectual property rights. Rather, it recommends a system where these rights are structured in such a way that they encourage development and dissemination without stifling imagination. Lessig argues for a balance, where the law supports both creators' rights and the general public's interest in accessing innovative content.

The 2nd part of the quote is important: "it is not a culture in which artists don't earn money". Here, Lessig stresses the value of guaranteeing that artists and developers receive fair settlement for their work. Totally free culture is frequently perceived as being antagonistic to earning an income through innovative undertakings, however Lessig refutes this by highlighting the need for a sustainable design that rewards artists financially.

The synthesis of these ideas reflects Lessig's broader approach that copyright laws need to evolve alongside technological developments and social changes. The objective is to produce a system that both incentivizes developers and serves the general public good. By promoting a culture where artists can succeed and their work can be widely shared, society can benefit from a rich and varied creative landscape.

In summary, Lessig's quote encapsulates the perfect of a dynamic cultural community, where intellectual property rights are appreciated, artists are properly compensated, and innovative works are commonly offered to motivate and propel further innovation.