Why is intellectual property protected? This lecture explores the philosophical justifications for the intellectual property system, a subject beloved of examiners, summarising the arguments put forward for protection and guiding the listener to further reading about this fascinating topic. It deals with the natural rights approach including Locke’s Labour Theory of Property and his Proviso; the theories that focus on incentives including Utilitarianism; sovereignty, dignity and security; personality; just and attractive culture; and the importance of freedom of expression.

Lecturer: Peter Groves
Duration: 35 minutes

More recordings in Intellectual Property

• Ownership of inventions and patents
• Compensation for employee inventors
• Patent infringement and defences
• Patentability
• Introduction to patents
• Justifications for intellectual property
• Registration of trade marks
• Moral rights
• Privacy
• Passing off