Intellectual Property

How is intellectual property like physical property?

Intellectual property is some intangible item, information or concept created or conceived by someone.  Although the tools, ingredients, components of the Intellectual Property conceived may be accessible publicly, the idea and resulting product or knowledge becomes the sole property of that someone. 

Physical property and Intellectual property both have their own distinguishing characteristics. They can both be measured and described and reproduced.  As a result they can both be valued, bought or sold and stolen.  Subsequently both require legal and ethical regulation for protection of the owner’s rights to be the sole proprietor of the item with sole access to it.

How does intellectual property differ from physical property?

Intellectual property IP is intangible while physical property is, well, physical.  IP is not as easily protected as a physical piece of property.  While a car or jewelry can be locked away somewhere and be relatively secure.  Intellectual property may not be as easily protected from theft or misuse, especially in today’s context of volatile to non-existent privacy and security of information.

At some point during production of intellectual property it must be contained or transformed into some physical format.  That is when the resulting item becomes physical property – embodying the creator’s intellectual property.  Although ownership of the physical item does not always mean ownership of the intellectual item, the two types of ownership though different are often indistinguishable.

Do you agree with the idea that someone can own intellectual property

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXuYrvGn7_M

This question demands a discussion on whether an idea, concept or piece of intangible information can be owned.  If it can be described identified and used then someone can reserve the right to be the only one allowed to describe, identify, and  use it.  If that person has exclusive rights then they are the owner.  Just as the person with exclusive rights to a home is essentially the owner. 

Beyond this the discussion enters an ethical consideration into whether it is right for IP to be owned by one person or group.  Should authors be obligated to share their work with society for the “greater good”.  This consideration though significant is maybe for another blog. What do you think?

1. 

   This is a good post Marrisa. Yes, I believe we should look at the ethical aspect of owning an intellectual…

2. 

   Interesting post Marrisa. I like the similarities established between intellectual property and physical property, that they both have value and…