2025-06-18

[public] 85.4K views, 3.96K likes, dislikes audio only

TED-Ed

Puzzle through the ethical dilemma of intellectual property rights, and decide: how should we determine ownership of work?

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In the city of Ockham, spellcasters invent incantations and publish them in scrolls that others can purchase. Unfortunately, you can’t always afford them. But one day, a friend tells you he uses an illegal duplication spell to copy scrolls. So, do you use his counterfeit scrolls to further your own research? Michael Vazquez and Will Kanwischer explore the ethics of intellectual property rights.

Lesson by Michael Vazquez and Will Kanwischer, directed by Patrick Smith.

This video made possible in collaboration with the Parr Center for Ethics

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View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/ethical-dilemma-should-knowledge-be-free-michael-vazquez-and-will-kanwischer

Dig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/ethical-dilemma-should-knowledge-be-free-michael-vazquez-and-will-kanwischer/digdeeper

Animator's website: https://www.instagram.com/patrick_smith_animator

Music: https://www.wonderboyaudio.com

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