Quote:
Originally Posted by a_Username
What I meant by "mythical threats" is simply they are not actual threats; it's not a threat to trade with anyone. How can I expect it? See the fashion industry; a multibillion dollar industry that thrives without any patent or copyright laws. Of course, "the fruit of your labor" argument is one that is ignored quite often due to the arbitrary selection of which company receives these forms of protection from competition. Does the creator of the first car or t-shirt not deserve a patent for his discovery? Does he/she not deserve the to reap the "fruits of his labor?" "Intellectual property" is not property at all. The only reason why property is assigned to goods is the fact that nearly all goods are scarce and some type of system needs to solve the conflict that would inevitably arise from two people trying to, for example, eat the same orange; property is such a system. Consequently, a good, such as ideas, that is not scarce does not fit the criteria of being property. In other words, ideas are infinitely reproducible, therefore they can not be labeled property.
I would hardly call this theft.
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For the most part, your posts are based on your education or are well thought out even if we don't agree.
However, per your last post on being an Econ Major, your ideas on Intellectual Property are wayyyy out of your norm.
If for example the lowest cost highest quality producer always wins, unless outside influences change the playing field, then the U.S. can never win. We will never (at least in our lifetimes) be the lowest cost producer and it is exceedingly difficult to differentiate your product on quality. What does differentiate your product is the application of technology and the application of style. Both of these are "intellectual property". So if a low cost producer, and we know Americans LOVE low cost producers or we wouldn't have Walmart, can simply copy my technology or copy my styling then the low cost supplier will always win. If I can not make money from manufacturing my product, and I can't make money from inventing my product, then creating ideas simply becomes a hobby. And hobbies don't pay very well. So we have given up our manufacturing base and everyone is ok with that.
And by your comments I think you are ok then with the knock of handbags, golf clubs, watches etc. that you can buy CHEAP in China? "pssssst, I have the keys to the factory. I can get you that watch for $100. All I have to do is turn on the machines for a few extra minutes" Riiiiiiiiight. Movies, music, art are all intellectual capital. If you write a book, can someone simply copy it and publish it at a lower cost? If your band records a song, should someone be able to copy it and produce it at a lower cost?
Now we have to give up our intellectual capital as well? Or did I miss your point?