A History of Intellectual Property in 50 Objects

by Claudy Op den Kamp (Editor), Dan Hunter (Editor)

What do the Mona Lisa, the light bulb, and a Lego brick have in common? The answer - intellectual property (IP) - may be surprising, because IP laws are all about us, but go mostly unrecognized. They are complicated and arcane, and few people understand why they should care about copyright, patents, and trademarks. In this lustrous collection, Claudy Op den Kamp and Dan Hunter have brought together a group of contributors - drawn from around the globe in fields including law, history, sociology, science and technology, media, and even horticulture - to tell a history of IP in 50 objects. These objects not only demonstrate the significance of the IP system, but also show how IP has developed and how it has influenced history. Each object is at the core of a story that will be appreciated by anyone interested in how great innovations offer a unique window into our past, present, and future.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

440 pages, Hardcover

Published June 20, 2019

Reviews

[Frank Baugh · Rating 1 out of 5]

Spite review because 0/35 IP companies even gave me an interview

[Dеnnis]

Защита интеллектуальной собственности и патентное право развивались параллельно изобретательской мысли и предпринимательской сметке (точнее, с некоторым отставанием). Без новых законов и судебных прецедентов судьба многих открытий была бы иной. 50 авторов со всего мира написали для этого сборника по статье, рассказывающей о том, как некий объект авторских прав повлиял на современный мир. Примеры собраны из разных областей (от массмедиа до овощеводства) и эпох. Подавляющее большинство объектов и компаний нам известно, однако правовая сторона их успеха часто оставалась в тени. Истории о том, как компании и изобретатели бились с имитаторами и подделками, достойны пера лучших детективщиков, ведь даже милые бренды (например, Дисней) в таких ситуациях мало перед чем останавливались.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rarer than a blue moon, an engaging and well-presented coffee-table book about...the law! Each entry is interesting in itself and also works well as part of a cohesive whole - but it would have been lovelier still if the tantalising breadcrumb trail left in the introduction on the 'intertwingling' of law and objects could have been expanded upon a little more.

(If digital technologies are often described and discussed using metaphors, does the law too have to grapple with the slipperiness of figurative language? What happens to law at the juncture where immaterial law meets material object - perhaps a version of the word becoming flesh? What about the objects of the law? Etc.)

[Luke V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly engaging book on what can be a very arcane topic. The items profiled show IP's effect on everyday life. The history of the objects is plenty interesting in their own right... and the issues are explained in clear language. The hourglass comparison for Internet Protocol will stick with me for a long time, for example. I read the book all the way through, but it's also great for dipping in and out to read about particular items.

[Wouters Rodolphe · Rating 3 out of 5]

An landscape overview of iconic IP protected products. The book provides a fair historical overview, from antiquity to the digital age.
interesting to read the author ‘s comments about the interplay between the copyrighted Maori tattoo on Tyson’s jaw and cultural heritage, or to learn about historical shifts in the copyright doctrine, e.g. when IBM introduced its DRAM and how it tackled with temp reproductions

[Kirsty Mcdougall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fantastic collection! A beautiful book.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun for law nerds. Organizing by era it allows you to see shifting ideals in the IP world. Check out Barbie and Bitcoin.