4. Intellectual Property: To Share or Not?

Most companies have Intellectual Properties(IPs) to prevent competitors from 'eating' them out. They have IPs to grow their company in ways which their competitors cannot. However, on the flip side, growing by preventing others from gaining access is not the only solution. There is a possibility of sharing, where everyone who cooperates are better off, like the situation of a prisoner's dilemma. Many companies are built on the idea of sharing, and it is interesting to see how the idea of sharing has helped to grow the company. Facebook is a great example where people share their information and everyone is better off with more knowledge because of better connectivity. Could we then somehow incorporate sharing into the equation? IPs, although essential to protect investors, are just means that hinder development and growth of the world by restricting complete access to information. Overcoming this prisoner's dilemma is then key to improving the world.