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Intellectual Property vs. Science

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Steal This Idea

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Abstract

The intense efforts to protect the sanctity of intellectual property are ironic. Although the promoters of intellectual property justify their claims on the basis of the wonders of new technology, the flowering of today’s commercial successes depends on scientific discoveries from decades ago, when science still enjoyed considerable public funding. However, the private interests that now stake claims for intellectual property rarely recognize how much this earlier work, centered in universities or government agencies, enriched the public domain of science and technology.

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  1. Michael Perelman
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© 2002 Michael Perelman

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Perelman, M. (2002). Intellectual Property vs. Science. In: Steal This Idea. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-137-07929-9_4

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