"The Ecstasy of Influence: A plagiarism" by Jonathan Lethem 2007

This article reads like an opinion piece but is in fact a bunch of quotes strung together with writing from the author.  It is a tongue-in-cheek way of furthering the author's point about plagiarism and the arts.  In our country, we have this curious obsession with originality and an abhorrence towards plagiarism and the stealing of "original," copyrighted ideas.  Lethem's point in this piece is that everyone is influenced by a multitude of other sources, whether it be consciously or unconsciously.  There really is no such thing as an original idea.  He contrasts this point with the somewhat ridiculous extent of our copyright laws--how they can be extended almost eternally just to keep money flowing in to the originator's family or company through royalties.  Disney was one of Lethem's examples in that the company has borrowed stories and characters from many places but now jealously guards their copyrights. 

Disney's Mickey Mouse

 
Lethem views plagiarism in art not necessarily as a bad thing but a recognition of someone else's work.  Many works are famous in the first place because they have been copied and quoted so much.  Art walks a fine line between being both a gift and a commodity.  It is art's gift-form that keeps it from being totally commodified like other objects in our society today.  Lethem also talks a lot about the cultural commons and how it is important for us to realize how crucial this artistic commons is, where people can be influenced by other works and celebrate other works in their own work.  Their ability to do this comes from access to a public cultural commons.