Software is not mathematics. It is a way of wiring an electronic circuit To suggest s/w is mathematics is delusional. It is no more mathematics than physics or electrical engineering.

"I don't follow you. Why do they need to get paid? "
WTF. I took you for an O. perhaps I was wrong

hear, hear

It should be patently obvious (sorry couldn't help myself), that IP is the foundation of wealth creation. After all how many people does Apple employ now? They started with the "idea" of making a different kind of computer... and then a different kind of music player and so on. All of which were protected by patent rights. There is an entire industry of music/video players and smart phones that did not exist a few years ago. (& yes I know there were others besides Apple.) For a an example in another industry look at Keurig. A new, novel concept in an 'old' field technology wise.. Now that company and others employ quite a few people making a new kind of coffee-maker and the pods to go in them. Each example includes the fact that there was 'protection', through the patent system, of that idea so that the company could grow and make money on what they created. Once the patent expires they have to either keep doing it better, or inovate further (which is what Keurig is doing). America was built on new ideas, technology, etc, all of which had their basis in intellectual property. I guess I don't understand how this is even a plausible question?

if you look at it subjectively...

hiraghm, they are taking advantage of property rights to ATTACK property rights. your stance against patent rights is not objective.

what is your point? just got off the phone with an inventor this evening. his whole business plan turns on his POTENTIAL IP. do you know how many times a week we reassure/not reassure people that their dreams may not be protected?

My next non-fiction book will do that plus more.

Well ok...I happen to agree with your assertion; however, I was looking for a study linking the logic to help me in an argument with someone who doesn't get this, so I didn't have to put it together myself.

I don't follow you. Why do they need to get paid?

Separately, are you arguing that the software industry is a mess, and that is why GNU exists?

The main reason SW is not patented is because mathematics are not patentable as something not invented. Then there is this grey area for novel algorithms. Since the source code is not disclosed, the underling technology remains hidden, and most people just use copyrights for protection to avoid the challenge in this argument.

"Why do so many objectivists have this blind spot to the fact that there are profits be gained by other than money?"
I agree. If it were shown some hybrid system of slavery could create more wealth, I would be against it. I am glad that so far it seems liberty frees people to create prosperity. China is working hard to test that theory and see if they can have prosperity without liberty. Time will tell.

I love this quote. US generates prosperity by respecting property rights, including IP. If we respect property rights better, people will be free to create even more prosperity.
"U.S. remains responsible for a vast amount of the innovation and creativity driving global prosperity – from the world’s most successful creative industries to smartphones to life-saving drugs. This success is due in large part to good institutions, chief among them economic freedom, political liberty, and the rule of law. As economic historians have pointed out, another of those institutions has always been a robust IP system that has secured property rights in innovative technology and creative works under the rule of law."

In actual practice it creates many times more than 20 :1 because while the bank loans and re-loans the original principle, each step causes the same rate of inflation by the same 20% reserve (maybe it is 10:1 now) but the point is there is no limit to money creation through this process I and others call the "mandrake mechanism" and on top of that, Congress borrows daily to pay off the national debt and borrows more from our favorite creditor, China. I do not presume anything about your understanding of fractional reserve banking and for my and the edification of anyone else interested present the following excellent video on YouTube entitled "Secrets of Money". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyV0OfU3... This video succinctly and excellently explains our central bank system.

John I agree with all of the above except, and maybe I'm reading it wrong... Under a 10% reserve requirement and fractional banking an original loan of 1 million dollars will result in 10 million dollars lent or a ratio of 10 to 1.

I always worry about that because I am a retired old barnacle and most of you are fresh out of the chute and up on your Libertarian / Anarchist thinking. (that is not name calling) LOL I always enjoy reading what the people here have to say because it isn't all about hip-hop and the latest fads; though I do not besmirch such folks. I just prefer matters of Liberty and self government.

Agreed. Now I get your analogy. Sorry for being a little slow on the uptake.