IP gone too far!

This cartoon is about how far the arguments about intellectual properties can be taken. What things qualify as good candidates for being covered through IP rights? Yes, 'some significant idea' you would say!

I would say, they should also be 'not so significant.' Fundamental theories of science never got covered by such laws and litigations. Had they been, the course of scientific development would have been quite different than what we see. No way to tell whether for the worse or for the better.

Comments

Anonymous said…
this is actually the story all over the IT (or lets say the computer and net enabled world). You kinda nailed it on the head...
keep them cming..
9:52 AM, September 19, 2006
Snehal Ganjigatti said…
Sujit,
You are absolutely right ! I grew up learning that 'knowledge' is free and to be shared with others and that it breaks all barriers. But today I see new ideas (and sometimes even old !!!), new designs, new products and new methods being patented all the time. Its as if we are dividing the world and its people yet again ! Business and Sales people will not agree, but too much IP is not good for us. Wish India could patent yoga, ayurveda, neem, tulsi etc. And somethings to beware of -developed nations take advantage of other countries who are not yet 'patent-aware', by getting an International patent or something like that. But I hope that IP picks up in India, so that we can atleast safeguard what we already know and have.
1:07 PM, September 21, 2006
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