[Carry_Okie]

If you want the benefits of private research, then you'll have to pay for the product or nobody will make the investment. If you want all research to be done by the government, don't complain when you get the results.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

If you want the benefits of private research, then you'll have to pay for the product or nobody will make the investment. If you want all research to be done by the government, don't complain when you get the results.

So there is no debate on the proper role of "intellectual property" laws?

The original intent of such laws was to encourage innovation, but now that there are 10^12th patent attorneys churning the patent laws the same way trial lawyers are churning tort laws, innovation is coming to a standstill. One of three University research projects is being abandoned these days to to conflicts with somebody's intellectual property.

So what is the proper role of these laws? To enrich lawyers? Or to encourage innovation?