The Commons: A Governance Approach

This lecture explores the concept of the Commons, focusing on the coexistence of two worlds: one where free and common knowledge is created collaboratively, and another dominated by large companies protecting proprietary content. It delves into historical examples like the tragedy of the enclosures and the tragedy of the commons, contrasting different views on common goods. The discussion extends to the public domain, intellectual property rights, and the evolution of software patents. Famous disputes, such as Von Neumann vs. Eckert, Mauchly, and the creation of the GNU General Public License, are also analyzed. The lecture concludes by proposing a governance model based on the commons to foster collaboration and financial sustainability.