infosocialism, science and patents

[tantric]

"from each according to their imagination, to each according to their need"

i'm curious if anyone here takes the ideas of infosocialism seriously, that patents and copyrights are morally wrong. yes, the term "infosocialism" was invented for a roleplaying game, but the ideals are much older than that.

i, for one, like it. it gives me a way to make science more socialist, a commitment to refuse to allow my research to be used by capitalism.

i'm posting this in science because there are threads here about copyrighting organisms, which is one of the key principles of infosocialism, that and patented medicines. most scientists claim that patents are the only way they can fund research. i say BS - research is necessary, society can pay for it. thoughts?

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

For once I actually agree with you.

The only reason patents exist is to protect investment - anybody who uses 'your idea' has to pay you money or be punished - recognising you as the originator of an idea is a secondary matter for patenting, as the amount of bullshit patents proves.

Patents impedes the flow of ideas by forcing people to divert resources.

[NSov]

Under Socialism patents should belong to the state, allowing the state to commission those it views as most suited to work on it. With patnets and Industary Nationilised any section in industary could use any patent to further progress. Those that invented the patent would be awarded with a research position or grant if the patent is worth it.

Patents not only protect investment, they prevent other componies from designing patented medicanes or other things required by sociaty. Sociaty must then pay hugh prices to aquire these things allowing the patent owner to become more powerfull.

Just my views...

[Guest1]

Patents, copyrights, intellectual property, all are an attempt to extend private property to the domain of "externalities", economic benefits that cannot be controlled or sold. Doomed to fail.

[tantric]

my best defense of infosocialism to the masses is this:

"political power comes from the barrel of a gun." -mao

what are you going to do to stop people from copying information freely? do you really want a "war on piracy"? SWAT teams busting into your house 'cause your kid copied a CD?

a simple discussion of the concepts in infosocialism will send a roomful of dispassionate scientists into raving fits. ad hominem ad nauseum. gotta love it. besides, the hammer and helix just rocks.


http://www.nels.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/GURPS/THS/TSA_logo/TSA.gif

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

what are you going to do to stop people from copying information freely? do you really want a "war on piracy"? SWAT teams busting into your house 'cause your kid copied a CD?

:huh: Erm, I don't think anyone here is disagreeing with you. Certainly not me.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

What will be interesting however is when manufacturing methods become so quick and miniturised that real objects can be copied, modified and transmitted just like data is today - thus forming a basis for "product-sharing".

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

What is this?

There's no need for a new term, "no patients" (ie. "intellectual property" rights) is a basic principle of both communism and anarchism.