Today the Licensing Foundation, Inc., announced a bold new public education campaign designed to help every American understand intellectual property rights, as well as their stake in the creative process that transforms today's bright ideas into the innovations of tomorrow.
'We tend to take for granted the countless inventions that enhance our lives. Things such as software, prescription drugs, electronics and DVDs have all been made available through the creative process and licensing,' said Licensing Foundation President Richard Razgaitis, PhD. 'Respect Rights will help the public understand its role in assuring the economic prosperity, security, and competitive advantage of our country in the future.'
The recent explosion of digital technology has made it difficult to reach the broader community with timely information about intellectual property (IP) rights and wrongs. Respect Rights is designed to fill this void with an interactive and information-rich web site ( http://www.respectrights.org/) that offers something for everyone, from the teenager curious about the legality of copying software and the prospective inventor wondering how to commercialize an idea, to the licensing practitioner looking for timely perspectives and IP news.
'Our campaign is unique because we are not looking to police piracy,' Razgaitis added. 'We want people to know that pursuing their bright ideas is not only welcome, but also vital. The system is here for all of us. However, as a society we must understand that we will only continue to enjoy the fruits of the creative process by preserving it though fair dealings and respecting the creative rights of inventors.'
The Foundation, which has single-handedly sponsored the development of Respect Rights thus far, hopes that future support from creators, inventors, companies and others interested in maintaining the vitality of the creative process will enable an expansion of the campaign to include public service announcements featuring renowned inventors and popular artists.
