A History of Intellectual Property in 50 Objects

Book launch – Friday 8 March 2019, 18.00, Hungry Oven

Claudy Op den Kamp and Dan Hunter (eds.) A History of Intellectual Property in 50 Objects (Cambridge University Press, 2019)

What do the Mona Lisa, the light bulb, and a Lego brick have in common? The answer – intellectual property (IP) – may be surprising, because IP laws are all about us, but go mostly unrecognised. They are complicated and arcane, and few people understand why they should care about copyright, patents, and trademarks. In this lustrous collection, Claudy Op den Kamp (CIPPM, Bournemouth University) and Dan Hunter (Swinburne University of Technology) have brought together a group of contributors – drawn from around the globe in fields including law, history, sociology, science and technology, media, and even horticulture – to tell a history of IP in 50 objects. These objects not only demonstrate the significance of the IP system, but also show how IP has developed and how it has influenced history. Each object is at the core of a story that will be appreciated by anyone interested in how great innovations offer a unique window into our past, present, and future.

For more information on the book, see here. The book is available for pre-order.

The book launch will feature a visual presentation by Claudy Op den Kamp.

Where: the Hungry Oven, 288 – 292 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth BH1 1PH

When: Friday 8 March, 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start

Admission is free.