For Innovation and new ideas to thrive, previous innovations and ideas should be freely available and shared. In a world where Copyright and intellectual property laws are becoming more stringent, we seem to be moving in the exact opposite direction.
I would presume Copyright laws originally intended to maintain the sanctity of information. Constitutions and courts have repeatedly interpreted Copyright as a means of encouraging the production of creative works for public benefit.
What are we achieving by restricting the audience to a piece of information?
Yes, there are associated monetary benefits to which the owner does have a right. But unlike olden days when copyright was owned by individuals who took it with them to their graves, and had little or no benefit in extending the copyright, today most copyrights are owned by organizations which are formed on the presumption that they will exist forever. The idea of continuing to reap the monetary benefits of an asset for as long as possible is indeed a tempting proposition.
Even Walt Disney classics like “Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs”, which are protected by copyright have been derived from previous great works whose copyright had expired.
Are we gradually moving towards a void in innovation?
Hi Arun, The article in itself is very shallow and does not deal with copyright or patenting in detail. But in essence its just voicing a concern on the overall issue.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that in the past, we have shared our knowledge and fostered innovation and progress and have made it to where we are today. The road till date is repleted with examples of knowledge sharing. But we are today moving towards mode of "restrictive sharing" with the key words being "Profit motive". Im sure we can quote plenty of examples in the past of inventions coming from universities. Can we do the same today?
I am a huge fan of wikipedia. It only goes to show that this is a concern that is recognised by many as a threat to innovation and progress. But until and unless the "big" organisations realise the relevance of this issue, this will remain an issue. It is this community that has the money and the resources to be able to make a significant dent on any progressive work.