There is an ongoing debate as to how important various kinds of intellectual property protection (eg copyright, patents, trade-marks) actually are to foster innovation. Some argue that in many instances IP protection can prevent, rather than encourage, innovation. Also that in many circumstances IP protection is not needed (either absolutely, or to a degree) to protect the interests of the creators/inventors.

Boing Boing has a good post entitled Why knockoffs are good for fashion that points to a New Yorker article. They make a good argument that the lack of protection for fashion has worked well for the entire industry, and for consumers.

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