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IP Law

Intellectual property as a concept began to appear in the middle of the 19th century, as writers and inventors demanded legal protection from plagiarists and imitators. Some argued that an invention or creation, such as a song, deserved unlimited ownersh...

Intellectual property as a concept began to appear in the middle of the 19th century, as writers and inventors demanded legal protection from plagiarists and imitators. Some argued that an invention or creation, such as a song, deserved unlimited ownership protection, as though it were a physical object. Others felt that copying was completely acceptable because nothing tangible was taken from the original author. Today, most authorities have settled on a limited set of rights for intellectual property. How those laws ought to be applied, however, remains a topic of heated debate.  To what extent is it acceptable to trade music you've paid for? To lend books and journals? To build your business on selling knockoffs of expensive high-fashion designs? What kinds of inventions should be protected, and what kinds are too obvious for words? Is the United States pushing for excessive patent protection in order to protect its software industry? Expect plenty of varied opinions and strong language. Related Top 10 Sources:  US Law | Supreme Court | Science News