John Locke's Rights of Property and Intellectual Property: Implications to Digital and High Technology in the Information Society

In my dissertation, I argue the economic-utilitarian elements of Locke's perspective on property rights. The historical development of intellectual property reflects a kind of Hegelian dialectic. Therefore, the final phase of the evolution of intellectual property synthesizes both the Lockean perspective and the economic-utilitarian perspectives. According to Locke, the possession of property "increase[s] the common stock of mankind." This statement by Locke clearly supports the notion that the property right that Locke has in mind includes elements of the economic-utilitarian perspective. American case law also invokes Locke's perspective on property rights whenever it is necessary. Through my dissertation, I argue that the American intellectual property regime does not deny but confirms the adoption of Locke's perception of property.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Year dc:date.available

2001

Author dc:creator

• Na, Jongkhab

Contributors dc:contributor

• Charles R. McManis, Supervising Professor, Chairperson; Dorsey D. Ellis, Jr., Examining Professor; Stanley L. Paulson, Examining Professor

• John Locke
• Property rights
• Intellectual property
• Intellectual Property Law
• Property Law and Real Estate

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/law_etds/36

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openscholarship.wustl.edu:law_etds-1035