Tech Central Station: Open Source Drug Development
May 19, 2004, 00:15 (6 Talkback[s])
"This proposal is closely connected to a phenomenon called the
Free Culture Movement, which was profiled in the New York Times
Magazine in February, and which seems to be opposed to intellectual
property and markets as a means of organizing any economic activity
involving creativity. Most of its attention has been focused on
music and movies and the issue of P2P file-sharing (they are for
it), and on software. The pharmaceutical issue is a new departure,
but it is not a surprise to find that among the 69 "respected
scientists and economists' who signed the WIPO letter are many
familiar names from the controversies over entertainment and
software, including a passel of law professors, 'public interest'
advocates, and free software gurus. A couple of prominent
economists did indeed join, though their ability to retain the
title 'respected' if they continue to travel in such company is in
doubt..."
Complete
Story
Related Stories: