"Intellectual property is a drag in cyberspace: discuss"
Goal
The use of GPL, open source, copyleft and creative commons licenses suggests that intellectual property protection is a drag in cyberspace. Our goal is to study and understand the structure, powers and implications of the GPL.
Instructions
Two groups (red-against, blue-for) will present an analysis and then debate the merits of their different positions, involving the whole class in the closing stages.
The readings given for initial investigation are listed below. We strongly encourage the use of additional secondary sources and providing examples as evidence supporting arguments.
Each group has 5 minutes to present.
Readings
- The GPL: GNU General Public License (www.gnu.org)
- GOETZ, T. "Open Source Everywhere", Wired Magazine, 2004. (wired.com 11.11)
- From ITworld.com: "Oracle sued Google last August, contending its open-source Android operating system violates Java patents and copyrights that Oracle inherited when it bought Sun Microsystems. Google denies any wrongdoing and has characterized the case as an attack on open source."
- Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (www.wipo.int)
- Yockai Benkler's web, www.benkler.org
- Benkler's 'Wealth of Networks' yupnet.org/benkler/
- The Economy of Ideas by John Perry Barlow (wired.com 2.03)
