Well, in my opinion, IP and copyright issues are some of the most pronounced issues with technology today. Probably because I try and follow some of the issues that arise in this area.
The book defines four different kinds of IP:
Trade Secrets: Companies register these, but it is their job to keep them secret, and they last forever.
Trademarks and Service Marks: Literally marks that help a business identify products.
Patents: Prevents others from creating and selling a person's invention.
Copyright: Provides artists with rights in regards to their original works.
The book then talks about some court cases that have dealt with IP, and then discusses fair use, which is where things start to get interesting. Who can use what? Especially in regards to digital media. Mostly, the book talks about what terms such as DRM and the DMCA mean and do. I'm more interested in what is actually happening with electronic piracy, and what authorities are trying to do about it. (Which is a lot, but not much is working).
Then the book goes on to talk more specifically about software and how IP laws apply to something like software. All in all, an interesting chapter, and I am looking forward to the discussion that will happen in class.
-Pieces
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