[MD] Fencing the Air

[Platt Holden]

[Case]
> > Capitalists invented the term intellectual property rights. They claim
> > we can fence in ideas. That we can charge people to think our ideas.
> > We are now granting patents on life forms. There is something wrong
> > with these concepts. This is essentially allowing a social level
> > entity to claim a thought or a whole species; all those present and
> > all their descendants.

>From the book " Lila" by Robert M. Pirsig:

All rights reserved.
Copyright by Robert M. Pirsig
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by 
any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, 
or by an any information or storage retrieval system. without 
permission in writing from the publisher.

I guess Pirsig wouldn't agree with you. Even Anthony McWatt is charging 
eight English pounds for a copy of his PhD paper -- "charging people to 
think (his) ideas."  So your theory of a social level entity "claiming  
thought" is on shaky ground at best. The right to own the creative 
product of one's intellect is basic to individual freedom. It is an 
essential part of the right to life. 

Platt