The concept of ownership is a natural one. Rights that normally come with ownership include: 1) the right to possess something; 2) the right to exclude others from using that thing; 3) the right to license another's use of that thing; and 4) the right to transfer ownership of that thing to another person. These concepts make perfect sense when you apply them to a tangible object like a book. However, these concepts become ridiculous when you apply them to an idea.

The ownership of ideas (intellectual property) is an absolutely artificial construct. In the United States, we have gone to great lengths to create laws that allow/enforce the ownership of ideas: patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets. Why have we gone to so much trouble to create these artificial forms of ownership (what purpose do intellectual property rights serve)? Do our intellectual property laws serve this intended purpose? What is sacrificed in an attempt to achieve this purpose?