Intellectual Property

Ninety Second Post: Intellectual Property

When designing things, taking photographs, working with many people, or selling an item, the designer must be aware of intellectual property. This has only increased since computers showed up. Music, movies, and software are all intellectual property. The question arises how does one learn the laws when it is ever changing and complex law. The answer is it isn’t easy, but the designer is required to know the basics of the law. The designer only benefits by knowing it.

One thing in the United States of the last 40 years has been the outsourcing of jobs to other countries. Now our engineering and computer jobs are in jeopardy. There has been companies that offer engineers from developing countries at a cheaper rate. Basically the only thing saving the United States’ jobs is the fear of losing intellectual property. That is our “trump card.”

Another thing in America’s favor is that the structure of our jobs is already in place. Developing countries are starting their projects from scratch. They rely on contracted companies for their management.

Of course one thing that might stop such programs early before they grow is the quality of America’s workers. We must take the opportunity to support our workers and educate our young scholars. We have the best engineers and still have some of the best manufacturing workers. It is time to stop this thing before it gets bigger.

References: (See more about the problem at: )
http://www.engineerlive.com/in-our-opinion/13732/outsourcing-could-be-easier-than-you-think.thtml