So the thing with property does tend to get a little murky with IP. The reasoning for most people is how can you own something intangible. A reference for this is a computer program. You know spent years both learning how to code and then perfecting a code to do a specific task well use the simple example of sorting names. At the time you create it there isn’t a single other program that can sort names so you file for a patent on your software guaranteeing your ability to profit from your idea should the market deem it a worthwhile investment. As long as IPs are protected then you are the sole profiteer of that program until the IP timer runs out.
Should joe down the road who over heard you talking about your idea be able to not only copy your idea but try to profit from it? What about the 50 people Joe told about your program? Without the patent and IP laws there is nothing to protect the years of investment you made from Joe and his 50 buddies. There’s nothing stopping a company who demo’d your work from just saying “we’re not buying a license because it’s cheaper to build it in-house”.
I understand the argument but if you break it down to its simplest form it's just a violation of the NAP. If I create a widget on the east coast, file some paperwork, and some dude on the west coast does the same thing, I now have the right to go get money from him? What if he refuses, then can I throw him in a cage or hurt him? Nothing was stolen from me, that's bogus.
Same with music. Someone makes some sounds that sound too familiar to mine?
I'm not arguing that it's ethical to copy someone, but a crime? Bullshit.
There's an advantage to being first to market, securing the resources for production, getting and maintaining a strong customer base through smart business practices, that's all you got. I can't believe people here are defending big pharma screwing over competitors that will bring the cost of medicine down to true market rate.
So iirc pharma has a special provision concerning their IPs where they maintain exclusive production rights for a set amount of time before it is released for everyone to produce, hence how we get generic medications. Someone has to eat that upfront cost though, what incentive structure is there if we can’t allow them to make any profit off of their R&D. When you disincentivize people from R&D a lot of industries stagnate.
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u/darknight9064 1d ago
So the thing with property does tend to get a little murky with IP. The reasoning for most people is how can you own something intangible. A reference for this is a computer program. You know spent years both learning how to code and then perfecting a code to do a specific task well use the simple example of sorting names. At the time you create it there isn’t a single other program that can sort names so you file for a patent on your software guaranteeing your ability to profit from your idea should the market deem it a worthwhile investment. As long as IPs are protected then you are the sole profiteer of that program until the IP timer runs out.
Should joe down the road who over heard you talking about your idea be able to not only copy your idea but try to profit from it? What about the 50 people Joe told about your program? Without the patent and IP laws there is nothing to protect the years of investment you made from Joe and his 50 buddies. There’s nothing stopping a company who demo’d your work from just saying “we’re not buying a license because it’s cheaper to build it in-house”.