Tau Central

China and Intellectual Property: What is the Real Problem?

Corporations have been complaining about the really terrible crimes that are occurring in China. Apparently, copyright and patent holders are not getting the money they feel they deserve from the poverty-stricken Chinese populace. I'm shocked! Shocked, I tell you!

It bothers them that China does not respect international standards for intellectual property protection. It bothers me that China does not respect international standards ensuring worker rights and workplace standards.

These businesses have no problem benefiting from the lawlessness of Chinese society to take advantage of cheap workers, lax or non-existent environmental regulations, and a government hostile to employee-run unions.

Yet they complain about the other side of the coin and think it is dreadfully unfair they are not getting paid for their brand names and patents.

What is wrong with this picture?

posted by Tau Central @ 1:50 PM