4 ms·

This sounds weird. From the title I assumed it was something like putting transparent logo stickers on apples and later remove then after the apple skin color h

This sounds weird. From the title I assumed it was something like putting transparent logo stickers on apples and later remove then after the apple skin color had been affected. This however seems to be Pepsi assuming they "own" a variety of potatoes, something that is against all biological sense. I'll say ok to people owning a potato brand, around here we have Ringerikspotet which is a) a variety and b) has to be grown at Ringerike to be sold under that name. Same goes for Champagne. But nobody sues anybody if they farm Champagne type grapes as long as they don't say Champagne. Same goes for the potato mentioned above, you are free to put it in the ground next spring. I'd maybe stretch as far as saying if you come up with a new potato you shouldn't be forced to sell live ones and if you maintain tight control and only sold them as chips you could keep that potato to yourself. But if someone finds a potato and grows it, no way I agree anybody should have any right to sue. Because if this was true monastries, farmers and gardeners would be the wealthiest "companies" in the world. (I know Monsanto is into this as well and I dislike them as well.)

blaze33 8y ago
Regarding this Ringerikspotet or the Champagne name I know better, these are labels of guarantee regarding geographic origin and respect of particular production processes. So no Champagne outside the geographic Champagne but there are similar wines, like crémant[1]: mostly made like champagne but only called differently. (Also less pricey ;)) [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparkling_wine#Cr%C3%A9mant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparkling_wine#Cr%C3%A9mant
- eitland 8y ago
  Yep, we agree.
weberc2 8y ago
Are you opposed to all kinds of intellectual property protections or just this one domain? In particular, why should anyone put R&D into developing better varieties of crops if their innovations aren’t protected? Or perhaps improving crops (to be more drought resistant or to produce higher yields) doesn’t strike you as important—if so, how do you suppose we produce the additional food to sustain our growing population, especially in light of climate change (reduced land, increased droughts and other causes of crop failure). I don’t know about this particular case, but I wouldn’t rush to advocating for zero IP protection for crop varieties.
- eitland 8y ago
  >> I'll say ok to people owning a potato brand, ... > Are you opposed to all kinds of intellectual property protections or just this one domain? I tried to make this clear above: I can see some public value from some sorts of IP. > In particular, why should anyone put R&D into developing better varieties of crops if their innovations aren’t protected? Same reason farmers and monks have always worked to improve their crops? Same reason why KDE, Gnome and Linux exist? Making it better for me doesn't necessarily mean I have to make it useless for you?
- linuxftw 8y ago
  I'm against all kinds of IP. The government does not have a right to tell you what you can do with your own property. > In particular, why should anyone put R&D into developing better varieties of crops if their innovations aren’t protected? Why should people write free software? > if so, how do you suppose we produce the additional food to sustain our growing population Population is nearing or below replacement in developed nations. We don't need to produce more food, we need to stop exploiting developing countries so their standards of living increase.

blaze33 8y ago

Regarding this Ringerikspotet or the Champagne name I know better, these are labels of guarantee regarding geographic origin and respect of particular production processes. So no Champagne outside the geographic Champagne but there are similar wines, like crémant[1]: mostly made like champagne but only called differently. (Also less pricey ;)) [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparkling_wine#Cr%C3%A9mant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparkling_wine#Cr%C3%A9mant

eitland 8y ago
Yep, we agree.

weberc2 8y ago

Are you opposed to all kinds of intellectual property protections or just this one domain? In particular, why should anyone put R&D into developing better varieties of crops if their innovations aren’t protected? Or perhaps improving crops (to be more drought resistant or to produce higher yields) doesn’t strike you as important—if so, how do you suppose we produce the additional food to sustain our growing population, especially in light of climate change (reduced land, increased droughts and other causes of crop failure). I don’t know about this particular case, but I wouldn’t rush to advocating for zero IP protection for crop varieties.

eitland 8y ago
>> I'll say ok to people owning a potato brand, ... > Are you opposed to all kinds of intellectual property protections or just this one domain? I tried to make this clear above: I can see some public value from some sorts of IP. > In particular, why should anyone put R&D into developing better varieties of crops if their innovations aren’t protected? Same reason farmers and monks have always worked to improve their crops? Same reason why KDE, Gnome and Linux exist? Making it better for me doesn't necessarily mean I have to make it useless for you?
linuxftw 8y ago
I'm against all kinds of IP. The government does not have a right to tell you what you can do with your own property. > In particular, why should anyone put R&D into developing better varieties of crops if their innovations aren’t protected? Why should people write free software? > if so, how do you suppose we produce the additional food to sustain our growing population Population is nearing or below replacement in developed nations. We don't need to produce more food, we need to stop exploiting developing countries so their standards of living increase.