Year Zero (Reid novel)

Year Zero is a 2012 comic science fiction novel by American author Rob Reid. The novel satirizes copyright law, the music industry, and extraterrestrial contact.

The premise of Year Zero centers around the discovery that humanity's popular music, particularly from the late 20th and early 21st centuries, is incredibly appealing to nearly every intelligent species in the galaxy. This music is so addictive and culturally pervasive that these alien civilizations have been unwittingly violating Earth's copyright laws on a massive scale.

Due to the immense popularity of Earth's music, the accumulated copyright infringement debt has ballooned to astronomical proportions, putting the entire galaxy at risk of financial collapse. A small group of humans and sympathetic aliens must work together to find a solution to this unprecedented crisis and prevent intergalactic economic ruin.

The novel is known for its fast-paced plot, humorous tone, and sharp commentary on the complexities of copyright law in the digital age. It explores themes of cultural exchange, intellectual property rights, and the potential consequences of humanity's cultural impact on the wider universe.