[Fsf-friends] GPL and 'intellectual property'

[Frederick Noronha (FN)]

AFAIK, the GPL is not aimed at protecting so-called 'intellectual 
property'. What it *does* try to do is to make software accessible to 
whoever needs it, regardless of how rich or poor they may be.

If our model is to build up ourselves into a Bill Gates, then this is 
perhaps problematic. But if our concern is to make software accessible to 
the vast majority of a country like, say, India, this is indeed something 
very innovative.

It is also a powerful tool to ensure that knowledge remains -- as it has 
long been, for most part -- in the public domain. The GPL also recognises 
that much of what we call knowledge is based on prior-knowledge of others. 
If we block the cycle of innovation by concepts like 'intellectual 
property', the entire humanity will be poorer off.

Incidentally, my friend in Finland, Niranjan Rajani, has done a study 
which indicates that terms which we take so much for granted today (like 
'intellectual property') was first used just in 1968, with the formation 
of the 'World Intellectual Property Organisation' or WIPO.

Apart from a few individuals, do the bulk of the people of this planet 
have anything to gain from such concepts? 

This is just my view and understanding. Copying it to others from 
FSF-India, who could also give their perspective on the issue. FN

> ________________________________________________________________________
> ________________________________________________________________________
> 
> Message: 3
>    Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2003 05:51:18 +0200
>    From: Satuluri Venkata Rahul <srahul@vanenburg.com>
> Subject: Doubts on the GNU Public Licensing
> 
> Hi,
> 
> 	I have a question about the GNU PL. How does the GNU PL protect
> intellectual property rights?
> 
> 	I am aware that the question is open ended. It potentially invites
> numerous discussions on aspects like patenting, documentation et al. Please
> help me (and possibly more newbie colleagues of this grp) develop a
> comprehensive view about the issues involved.
> 
> Regards
> Venkata Rahul
-- 
Frederick Noronha    : http://www.fredericknoronha.net  : When we speak of free
Freelance Journalist : http://www.bytesforall.org       : software we refer to
Ph 0091.832.2409490  : Cell 0 9822 122436               : freedom, not price.