“Justifying Intellectual Property” is the title of a new book by Prof. Robert P. Merges, of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. Prof. Merges will discuss his new book during a luncheon address at the law school on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 12:30 in Room 152. All students and faculty are invited to attend.
In his book, Prof. Merges responds to those who argue that intellectual property rights are inefficient, unfair and theoretically incoherent. Drawing on the works of Locke, Kent, and other philosophers, Prof. Merges crafts an original theory to explain why IP rights make sense as a reward for effort and as a way to encourage individuals to strive.
Prof. Merges holds the Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Professor of Law chair at Berkeley and is the co-founder of the Berkeley Center for Law and Technology.