Economics of “Feudalistic” Knowledge
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With rapid evolution of Information and Communication Technology landscape, with some of the Top Universities such as MIT, understand the trends of the Future better than some of the Money headed Ivies, as a fad. As One can see emergence of Open Course-ware Revolution and their Benefits, as one would carefully observe "Disruptive Innovators" entering this space such as Coursera, which sources in "Open Courses" on the latest topics, making such rich Knowledge Available in OPEN SPACE. Raising the Question, does one have to still strive towards getting a "Piece of Paper" informing that the person is Educated, when all the Information and Knowledge they need to develop some new Innovative Solution, or solve a problem can be Obtained through such Disruptive Universities without need of any Certificates. The Paradigm is Shifting and that too real Fast.
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Intellectual property (IP) protection has emerged as an important component of national economic policies. Governments face choices on how to design an IP system that best serves their policy objectives. They also need to respond to changes in technology and in business models that may challenge the status quo. WIPO seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the economic effects of different IP policy choices and to offer a first entry point for anyone seeking information on the economics of IP. - World Intellectual Property OrganizationThe Origin of "Patent" Rights is a form of Legitimized Monopoly Creation, but the philosophy with which it was instituted, was that the secrecy of Invention does not remain, there by making knowledge of Invention, open for others to improve upon, at the same time give protection to Inventor for a limited period, to profit from their invention. Today in 21st Century, with rapid advancement of ICT, the "Patent" system is more of Government Business bringing huge revenues for the Government, not only in the form of Registration of Legal Right, but also later in the form of Law Suits, maintaining the Status Quo of the Legal Systems.
By Corporations constantly lobbying Governments, for outrageous Patent Rights, to draw an example, consider GMO Corporations such as Monsanto who have pushed hard for getting special Rights awarded to their GMO products, which has given them a Legal Ammunition to threaten large number of Farmers, coercing them into practices that benefit Corporate Bottom line. Such an issue raises a deep Philosophical Question, "Patent System" was intended for the benefit of many or as Legitimized Corporate Weapon.
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