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The Essential Guide to Intellectual Property
A broad introduction to the changing roles of intellectual property within society
Intellectual property is one of the most confusing—and widely used—dimensions of the law. By granting exclusive rights to publish, manufacture, copy, or distribute information and technology, IP laws shape our cultures, our industries, and our politics in countless ways, with consequences for everyone, including artists, inventors, entrepreneurs, and citizens at large. In this engaging, accessible study, Aram Sinnreich uncovers what’s behind current debates and what the future holds for copyrights, patents, and trademarks.
Intellectual property is one of the most confusing—and widely used—dimensions of the law. By granting exclusive rights to publish, manufacture, copy, or distribute information and technology, IP laws shape our cultures, our industries, and our politics in countless ways, with consequences for everyone, including artists, inventors, entrepreneurs, and citizens at large. In this engaging, accessible study, Aram Sinnreich uncovers what’s behind current debates and what the future holds for copyrights, patents, and trademarks.
- GenresLawNonfictionBusiness
304 pages, Paperback
Published May 28, 2019
8 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Aram Sinnreich
7 books12 followersDr. Aram Sinnreich is a media professor, author, and musician. He currently serves as chair of Communication Studies at American University’s School of Communication.
Sinnreich’s work focuses on the collision of culture, law and technology, with an emphasis on subjects such as emerging media and music.
He is the author of five books, Mashed Up (2010), The Piracy Crusade (2013), The Essential Guide to Intellectual Property (2019), A Second Chance for Yesterday (2023; written with Rachel Hope Cleves as R.A. Sinn), and The Secret Life of Data (2024; written with Jesse Gilbert).
He has also written for publications including The New York Times, Billboard, Wired, The Daily Beast, and Rolling Stone. In prior incarnations, Sinnreich worked at Rutgers University, NYU Steinhardt, OMD Ignition Factory, Radar Research, and Jupiter Research.
As a musician, Sinnreich plays bass, percussion, and guitar. As a composer in styles such as jazz, reggae, and soul, he has been a finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition (2014) and the Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Award (2020). His song "It's Never Easy, Si," performed with his group Dunia & Aram, reached #2 on the World Independent Music radio charts in 2023.
Sinnreich’s work focuses on the collision of culture, law and technology, with an emphasis on subjects such as emerging media and music.
He is the author of five books, Mashed Up (2010), The Piracy Crusade (2013), The Essential Guide to Intellectual Property (2019), A Second Chance for Yesterday (2023; written with Rachel Hope Cleves as R.A. Sinn), and The Secret Life of Data (2024; written with Jesse Gilbert).
He has also written for publications including The New York Times, Billboard, Wired, The Daily Beast, and Rolling Stone. In prior incarnations, Sinnreich worked at Rutgers University, NYU Steinhardt, OMD Ignition Factory, Radar Research, and Jupiter Research.
As a musician, Sinnreich plays bass, percussion, and guitar. As a composer in styles such as jazz, reggae, and soul, he has been a finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition (2014) and the Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Award (2020). His song "It's Never Easy, Si," performed with his group Dunia & Aram, reached #2 on the World Independent Music radio charts in 2023.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 11, 2019
Sinnreich has done a remarkable job of explaining the ins and outs of such a broad topic as Intellectual Property. As he says in his preface, his aim was to write "a people's guide to intellectual property." I believe he has done just that. The book is filled with interesting examples. With my background in marketing and advertising, I was drawn especially to the chapter on IP and Industry, but each chapter has nuggets that would interest the general reader. Highly recommended.
September 26, 2019
Such a thoughtful and interesting history of IP. Doesn’t stop at the surface.
September 28, 2019
As a commercial insurance expert, I often have to concern myself with intellectual property exposures faced by my clients. There are so many new technologies now that it is difficult to even imagine the risks we now face. This book does an excellent job of presenting and defining intellectual property issues. It uses clear, concise language to discuss some very complex issues.
December 18, 2024
can't believe i'm reading a book tagged 'law;' 'non-fiction' & 'economy' and I'm liking it
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews