Intellectual Property Information Resources

Some say that you should be free to use anything you find online, without paying or giving credit.

Others, particularly those who actually create content, don't agree. Intellectual property rights are real, and are getting better defined for the online world. The first URL here is a pretty good introduction. The other two are better for people who already understand the basics of intellectual property.

• Electronic Frontier Foundation's "Bloggers' FAQ - Intellectual Property" is a pretty good summary of copyright, trademark, deep links, and related intellectual property concerns. I'm not as convinced of the usefulness of Creative Commons as EFF, but that's my opinion.
• The Sheppard Mullin Law Firm's "Intellectual Property Law BLOG / Up to Date Information on Intellectual Property Law" "We provide this blog for general informational purposes only." The last few posts are "USPTO Releases Guidelines for Examination Support Document," "The Economist on the Patent Office's "Peer to Patent" Pilot Program," and "Update: Patent Reform 2007."
• Raymond T. Nimmer's "Contemporary Intellectual Prperty, Licensing && Information Law" is a practical look at intellectual property, by the current Leonard Childs Professor of Law at the University of Houston Law Center. Raymond T. Nimmer is also co-director of the Houston Intellectual Property and Information Law Institute. I particularly appreciated the July 1, 2007, post, "E-Commerce should not be over-regulated."

Related posts, on Intellectual Property Rights