Monopolistic rent-seekers, meet Technology
I find monopolies to be distasteful, as a matter of personal prejudice, even in situations where monopolies are optimal.
Even more detestable then, are people or commercial entities who make use of devices such as copyright, patent or trademarks to implement anti-competitive practices.
The Singapore public is inundated with public education schemes about ‘respect’ for ‘intellectual property’, when the other side of the story, fair use and consumer rights, is largely ignored. Furthermore, there seems to be a wilful sort of blindness towards the nexus between competition law and ‘intellectual property’ law.
Since the Singapore Government has foolishly implemented draconian IP legislation despite the lack of empirical evidence in support of such a move, what is left is for individuals to help themselves, through the advancement of technology.
Virtual-Map, a business entity that specialises in converting public domain data into private ‘intellectual’ property, had been successful so far in demanding extortionate amounts from people who make use of their maps. What they have yet to face though, is competition. No longer.
Now that I have Google Earth, I don’t see how I would ever need Streetdirectory.com anymore. In fact, I can’t wait for the day when everyone in Singapore starts using Google Earth. Then its bye bye Virtual-Map, find a new business model please.
