Copyright laws prevent ideas from being stolen. However, in this post, I argue that ideas cannot be taken away from anyone. Therefore, it is unnecessary to have laws preventing ideas from being stolen because it is not possible to steal ideas.
In order for an idea to be stolen, it would be logically necessary that
(1) An idea can be owned by a person.
(2) Another person can take the idea from the person who owns it.
In order for an idea to be stolen, it would be logically necessary that
(1) An idea can be owned by a person.
(2) Another person can take the idea from the person who owns it.
I first examine the assertion that an idea can be owned.
To address this point, the philosopher John Locke argues that a person owns his or her own body. In addition, "The labour of his body, and the work of his hands, we may say, are properly his." Expanding upon the ideas of Locke, the philosopher Georg Hegel proclaims that it is possible for a person to "set aside the mere thing and recreate it as his own". In other words, once a person's ideas are infused with the "mere" thing, the "mere thing" becomes an extension of the person.
Takeaway: Yes, an idea can be owned by a person.
To address this point, the philosopher John Locke argues that a person owns his or her own body. In addition, "The labour of his body, and the work of his hands, we may say, are properly his." Expanding upon the ideas of Locke, the philosopher Georg Hegel proclaims that it is possible for a person to "set aside the mere thing and recreate it as his own". In other words, once a person's ideas are infused with the "mere" thing, the "mere thing" becomes an extension of the person.
Takeaway: Yes, an idea can be owned by a person.
Next, I investigate whether an idea can be stolen.
Evaluating the ownership and transference of ideas, Thomas Jefferson writes: "...an individual may exclusively possess [an idea] as long as he keeps it to himself; but the moment it is divulged, it forces itself into the possession of every one, and the receiver cannot dispossess himself of it. Its peculiar character, too, is that no one possesses the less, because every other possesses the whole of it. He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine"
Takeaway: No, ideas are not be taken from anyone in the process of sharing.
Why do copyright laws exist?
Copyright laws are said to "protect" the ideas of copy right holders. However they are not protecting the ideas from being taken away from their owner. So, my question is:
Copyright laws are said to "protect" the ideas of copy right holders. However they are not protecting the ideas from being taken away from their owner. So, my question is:
In what sense do copyright laws "protect" ideas?
Richard T. De George, “14. Intellectual Property Rights,” in The Oxford Handbook of Business Ethics, by George G. Brenkert and Tom L. Beauchamp, vol. 1, 1st ed. (Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, n.d.), 417.
Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Isaac McPherson (August 13, 1813)
4 comments:
One guy can say i got this idea from the top of my head and i never crossed paths with this guy who is accusing me of idea theft. so years of hard work and money spent will be wasted. the government tries to do a good job of protecting physical works but in some cases that even is screwed up, so what can the govt. do to ensure intellectual ideas can be kept safe and can't just be altered and brought up as ones own.
Copyright laws in my opinion are merely a scheme by the rich to get richer. The owner of Virgin records owns an entire private island, and yet he is going to sue people who don't have $10 to spend on 10 songs? I also like what you said about not possessing "ideas." I'd like to ad - Theft is defined by one's tangible property changing possession from themselves to another... since when is a file a tangible good? Thats just my two cents... something to marinate in for a little bit. Keep Seeding!
I just took a survey this past week talking about online piracy and what I think should be done to stop it. After reading all the questions and understanding the significance of online piracy i see why the government is so worried about this issue. However I to don't think that they can really do anything. They can slap a warning on everything but still that is not going to stop anyone. Even if they arrest you and put you in jail for ten years, there is no possible way that they can stop every single person and site from uploading and downloading illegal movies, data, and music.
You know I used to use Limewire, Frostwire, and PirateBay all the time to download free music. I recall that when I went to SOAR they showed us a video on this UNC Charlotte student that had his credit, criminal history and everything ruined because he downloaded that. It honestly scared me.
At least now, I legal services such as spotify and pandora to listen to free music. I honestly think music piracy will diminish overtime because of these technologies and services.
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