Intellectual property

Intellectual property (IP) is a term referring to creations of the intellect for which a monopoly is assigned to designated owners by law. Some common types of intellectual property rights (IPR) are trademarks, copyright, patents, industrial design rights, and in some jurisdictions trade secrets: all these cover music, literature, and other artistic works; discoveries and inventions; and words, phrases, symbols, and designs.

While intellectual property law has evolved over centuries, it was not until the 19th century that the term intellectual property began to be used, and not until the late 20th century that it became commonplace in the majority of the world.

History

The Statute of Monopolies (1624) and the British Statute of Anne (1710) are seen as the origins of patent law and copyright respectively, firmly establishing the concept of intellectual property.

The first known use of the term intellectual property dates to 1769, when a piece published in the Monthly Review used the phrase. The first clear example of modern usage goes back as early as 1808, when it was used as a heading title in a collection of essays.

Intellectual rights to magic methods

Intellectual rights to magic methods refers to the legal and ethical debate about the extent to which proprietary or exclusive rights may subsist in the methods or processes by which magic tricks or illusions are performed. It is a subject of some controversy.

On one side, many magicians argue that methods represent "intellectual property" and that publication or sharing of methods should be subject to strict codes developed by magicians' organizations. On the other side, a range of people argue that publication of information about methods should not be subject to restrictions because knowledge should be freely available. The sharing of magic methods with non-magicians or the open publication of methods is referred to in the magic community as "exposure" and many magicians react angrily to it.

While many magic tricks rely on traditional methods, there is also a continuing development and progress within the genre. Those who are performers and amateurs tend to take a very defensive stance against all "exposure", while those who are creators and originators tend to care more about recent works - works with living and identifiable creators.

Intellectual Property (film)

Intellectual Property is a 2006 film starring Christopher Masterson and Lyndsy Fonseca with Bryan Cranston. It was written, produced and directed by Nicholas Peterson.

Plot

An eccentric genius is forced to confront the consequences of his own madness in this independent drama.

Production

Intellectual Property was shot entirely on (or just outside) one sound stage at Santa Clarita Studios in California. Unusually for a low budget independent film, all scenes were shot on specially constructed sets. This was made possible by recycling sets left over from previous productions at the studio.

The film was photographed on Fuji Eterna 500 stock, using an ARRI SR III Super 16mm film camera with Elite Prime lenses. Editing was achieved using the Apple Final Cut Pro system. Digital Intermediate facilities were provided by iO films in Hollywood, who scanned the Super 16mm negative, color corrected the images and transferred them via the Arrilaser to a Kodak 35mm intermediate stock. Prints were made by the Fotokem laboratory.. The film was later released under the name Dark Mind.