"Conventional wisdom argues that intellectual property rights are a necessary and powerful driver of economic progress. By shielding inventions and intellectual work from dangerous competition, these rights supposedly encourage creativity. In reality, by looking at the nexus of science policy, copyright, and new technologies, Perelman shows convincingly that current laws actually throttle innovation and progress. Intellectual property rights grant enormous powers to corporations but offer very little to the creative artist or inventor. Perelman shows how current intellectual property rights do more damage than good by promoting fragmentation, unnecessary duplication, secrecy, and frequent litigation. Steal This Idea explores options for moving beyond the current regime to one that truly fosters intellectual progress and results in a more equitable distribution of goods created under its watch."--BOOK JACKET.