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... which is an unfortunate example of privatization of a public good. The public pays for research, and an individual captures the profits.
by DiogenesKynikos 7y ago
... which is an unfortunate example of privatization of a public good. The public pays for research, and an individual captures the profits.
- tathougies 7y agoNot all research is publicly funded. Historically speaking, most of it was not, until relatively recently. I don't disagree that publicly funded research should be public, but I think applying that universally to say that all patents are evil is rather strong and leaves no room for private investment.
- DiogenesKynikos 7y ago"Relatively recently" here means pre-WWII. Basic research has been heavily reliant on government funding for decades. Before that, basic research was on a much smaller scale.