Originally Posted by
EpicSchwinn
@ddddavid - I think they call it intellectual property. Without it we would be like China where anybody can take another persons invention, put their name on it, and take their business and hard work. As a man who doesn't believe in the regulation of very many things, I still think that intellectual property is one of the few regulations that makes America a hub for inventors and innovators.
Intellectual property is not a regulation and ideas are worthless without execution. What's going on in America right now and for the past few years is companies using patents and copyright to stifle innovation not drive it (see: the music industry, the movie industry, software patents, name brand drugs vs. generic drugs, Facebook, Youtube, Google, etc.) .
Frame geometry should not be considered IP and shouldn't be patentable or protected by copyright. How the frame is put together (e.g. welding), for example, could be considered IP.
Techdirt is a great website to learn more about these topics if you're interested.