The Intellectual Commons

"The Intellectual Commons works to develop a theory of intellectual property based on a theory of natural rights that assumes the existence of a "natural world" of intellectual resources. Henry C. Mitchell, Jr. develops a moral framework that makes cooperation rather than conflict among the groups involved central to understanding intellectual property rights. Drawing on early modern theorists such as Grotius, Pufendorf, and Locke as well as the intellectual theory of copyright put forth by L. Ray Patterson, Mark Rose, and Michel Foucault, The Intellectual Commons presents a way to bring intellectual property theory and practice together. This book is an important addition to the intellectual property debate and a must-read for law students, communication theorists, and any person interested in the future of digital media rights."--Jacket.