Here’s a great idea: A conference that compares how creativity is regulated in fashion versus how it’s regulated in other art forms. In fashion, copyright (among other things) is pretty laissez-faire compared to, say, music or film.

On January 29, 2005, the Norman Lear Center will hold a landmark event on fashion and the ownership of creativity. Ready to Share will explore the fashion industry’s enthusiastic embrace of sampling, appropriation and borrowed inspiration, core components of every creative process. Presented by the Lear Center’s Creativity, Commerce & Culture project, and sponsored by The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM,  this groundbreaking conference will feature scholarly debate, fashion shows, multimedia presentations, the clash of perspectives and the cross-fertilization of ideas.

If you’re in Los Angeles this weekend, come see designer Tom Ford, musician Dangermouse, techie John Seely Brown, musician and producer T-Bone Burnett, and other giants of the various corners of the creative world talk about the fine art of sampling, across disciplines.

Or, check out the webcast at 9am PST January 29.