I have had a problem with the idea of intellectual property for a while now and, at last, I think I know why. For starters, I have always thought that if ideas are to be regarded as intellectual property which can be protected by law, then those laws need to be enforced on the basis of ideas, and that can only ever be done by the thought police. Who else can claim the right to tell me which ideas I am permitted to have and to manifest?
Adam, you might find the book “The Public Domain: Enclosing the Commons of the Mind” by James Boyle interesting. It’s available for free download, though I’m not sure how much use that is to you…
Click to access thepublicdomain1.pdf
Thanks, Ben. I can’t view it just yet, but I will try to take a look at it at some point if I can get some print outs. Thank you.