- The story entitled “The right to read” is set in a learning environment where there are restrictive laws against sharing of learning materials and each individual has to buy their right. Lisa Lenz borrows Dan Halbert’s computer to study for her midterm and Dan in a dilemma because if he gives Lisa the computer, she will have access to Dan’s books. If the Software Protection Authority finds out, Dan will be prosecuted. Dan gives the computer to the needy Lisa, and in the end they escape to a new location where they demand that the right to read should be part of the fundamental human rights.
- I think patenting and licensing are becoming restrictive to creativity and freedom of information. One of the reasons is because these measures only allow people who can buy access to knowledge to have access to knowledge. The other purpose is that licensing and patenting reduces the chances of innovation, which is crucial for new developments.
- One argument is that the patents protect the owner of the information against theft. In this case, new ways to show that the product or knowledge belongs to one person should be developed. The other argument is that it protects consumers from substandard products because it establishes a standard ground for product development. Consumers should be given the freedom to choose from various product lines which are developed by multiple individuals without limiting them through licences and patents.
- To protect creativity, I think that people, especially inventors and innovators, should adopt alternatives to patents. For example, an innovator may use the principle of secrecy, which holds that the inventor can keep the knowledge of development as a secret. This method is suitable for situations where the invention or innovation is not visible on the product. In the case that this does not apply, the utility models can be adopted where there is little examination of the creation, it takes a shorter time, and it is less expensive. These measures protect the interest of the creators.
Zhiwen Jiang CP373 Blog 