The Ontology of Cyberspace

This work is an examination of how intellectual property laws should be applied to cyberspace, software and other computer-mediated creations. Is software a creation to be patented, like an invented machine or process, or is it an original expression to be copyrighted, like drawings and books? This distinction is artificial, argues the author, and is responsible for the growing legal problems related to intellectual property law. Computer-mediated objects are no different from books, songs, or machines and do not require any special treatment by the law. Koepsell suggests revisions to the legal framework itself which prevent this artificial and problematic distinction, and simplify the protection of all intellectual property.