Intellectual Property Discussion in the Classroom?

Nick M asks: "I'm a TA for a Computer Ethics course at Lehigh University. My professor is currently in China, and I'm charged with the task of teaching the chapter on Intellectual Property. I have read the book (Cyberethics, Spinello, 3rd Ed.), and can see that this could be the most boring 75 minutes of their lives. What topics, examples and questions do you think would stimulate a heated discussion on intellectual property rights which would display the complexities of both sides of the issue?"

Comments

the guy who invented intermittent windshield wiper

[yagu]

This could be a good starting point (an article listing some pioneers in inventions, and some of their fates).

Also, this article is a synopsis of Robert Kearns' battle with Ford over his IP/patent rights for the invention of the intermittent windshield wiper.

A favour to ask

[CaseyB]

Sorry, I don't have any great ideas on what to put in an intellectual property lecture.

But would you be able to ask your professor to bring back bootleg copies of X-Men 3 and Microsoft Office for me? Thanks!

Re:Music

[Andy_R]

Replying to my own post with suggested examples...

Play the class a few bars of "Pretty fly for a white guy" by Offspring - specifically the part that includes the words "Gunter glieben glauchen globen".

Ask the class if you owe Offspring money because you used their work? Lead into 'fair use' exemptions.

Play Def Leppard's song "Rock of Ages" - specifically the part that offspring sampled the words "Gunter glieben glauchen globen" from. Ask the class if Offspring owe Def Leppard money? Lead into the way both artists signed their copyrights away.

Play "Weird Al" Yankovic's "Pretty Fly for a Rabbi". Ask the class if he owes Offspring money, and if Offspring should have the right to say "no don't mess with our song".

Discuss Section 8

[linuxwrangler]

In the United States the, Congress has the authority to create patents and copyrights under Section 8 of the Constitution:

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

(emphasis mine)

Allowing one to profit from his effort is certainly a method of promoting progress. But absurdly long copyright or patent terms promote coasting, not progress - a fact that our legislators seem to have ignored.

Re:First thing to remember

[SydShamino]

Don't forget signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). The longest one I ever signed was 16 pages for IBM.

Dude, did you not read page 15, paragraph 5, sub-bullet A(1):
You shall not disclose the length of this Non-Disclosure Agreement to any third party.

You are SO gonna get sued!