The Properties of Information and their importance for Intellectual Property

Information is poorly understood by scientists and philosophers, let alone economists or lawyers. A minimal, though not uncontroversial definition of information defines it as patterns of some use to humans.  In the intellectual property laws, assumptions as one or another economic properties of information have yielded differing legal prescriptions.  This paper reviews how different conceptions of information's inherent properties yield divergent visions of what the intellectual property laws should look like, and also explores issues at the edge of human attention and information.

Convenors: Dev Gangjee, Emily Hudson & Robert Pitkethly. Directions to the seminar room from the Porter’s Lodge. Refreshments provided, all are welcome (registration not required) (Please direct enquiries to jennifer.hassan@law.ox.ac.uk)