Intellectual Property Law

Does intellectual property rights (in the field of software) helpful and usefule to the desired extent?

In the globalized world does there is a complete protection to the IP rights, copy rights, patent rights. Does it useful to society.

Public Comments

1. When you mention globalization, that hits one of the key aspect of the issue. Like you don't expect too much help from the government for IP right in China. Also, you need to look at what sort of protection you are referring to. If you have software package and the infringer copy the executable and sell / use it, then it is easier for law enforcement to help you. However, if you are referring to another type of protection, like a few of your programmers leave your company, get the source elsewhere and start up a company, simply make a few changes on the user interface and recompile the program and sell the service or program, then you end up in a lengthily legal war. I saw cases whereby the infringer get a favorable settlement simply because the IP owner don't have a right legal expert to fight the war in the court.
2. for someone who can afford it, it looks reasonable. for someone who doesnt IPR is sickening. it deprives them of knowledge. look at the might / $$ of these big businesss - and u wonder why cant the price be lowered and a lower margin of profit to benefit a much bigger world for a knowledge-based global economy. many of us resort to pirated versions so as to save $$. many of us feel the equation needs tweaking