(CM) In a world where nanocomputers are easily accessible to cure disease as well as cause it, how do we keep track of where these computers originated in order to prevent not only widespread terrorism, but domestic crime. For example, if I am easily able to create nanocomputers capable of breaking down cells on my home computer (which cannot be traced) couldn't I use this as a murder for hire situation?
(CM) If nanotech is widely available and not controlled by governments, what happens to the poorest of society who cannot afford even the most basic nanotech device? How responsible is the government for ensuring their safety against attacks such as those addressed in the chapter. Could nanotech become the healthcare battle of the future?
(CM) It seems that in most cases, things are a lot
easier to take apart, then put back together. If the technology
to disassemble is revealed before that to assemble, should laws be put
in place to regulate nanotech until science and technology are capable
of repairing what has been broken?
(CM) In the decentralized world of nanotech, should
there be an intent element to all crimes? Or, should all nanotech
crimes be "play at your own risk" strict liability. Perhaps
making people even civilly liable would encourage only those who are
backed by a company or really know what they are doing to
experiment. This may keep the college kid in his basement from
ruining the world.
(PYS In a world dominated by mature nanotechnology,
what would the effect be on our society’s view of property rights and
its belief that a particular configuration of matter is an important
property interest? In a world in which nearly any object could be
manufactured on-site from inexpensive materials, would the only really
meaningful property right be in the underlying intellectual property?
What ramifications would this trend have on our current intellectual
property law regime and the duration of exclusive rights granted under
these laws?
(PYS) With the advent of nanoproducts
that have the
ability to re-engineer genes and cellular machinery, it would be
conceivable for criminals to disguise their original fingerprints,
retinal patterns, blood types, or even genetic material. What
ramifications would such technology have on our criminal justice system
and immigration laws?
(DF) Nanotechnology raises many of the same economic issues as computer programs, since both result in high design costs and low reproduction costs. Ought designs to be protected by copyright? Patent? Some new form of IP? Are they protected under current law?
(PYS) Can a specific arrangement of molecules be considered as "original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression" and thus be protected under the current copyright law?
(PYS) Is taking an atom from an object conversion
from the owner of that object? More generally, how do we define "de
minimis" effects and intrusions in a world of nanotech?
(PYS) The use of nanotechnolgy will lead to the development of new materials. When using common elements in a combination that until the developement of nanotechnology was considered impossible develops a new stronger lighter material will its designer be given patent protection? Or will the machines and programs that run them be protected?
(DF) Once we have assemblers, most of the cost of
a new nanotech device is design cost. If we try to regulate nanotech,
should we do it at the design end or the production end?
(PYS) For nanotech patents, what is "prior art"?
The
design? But don't designs and products frequently merge -- i.e.,
how
many ways are there to "design," say, wheat? So is wheat prior
art, or
is the design of wheat "novel" simply because someone will be the first
to create a wheat nanofactory? So will all everyday, common items
be
potentially "patentable" to the extent that they can be created by
nanofactories? Since nano-creation will be far cheaper (in
marginal
costs) than natural creation, what effectively will be the difference
between owning a patent on a nano-product and owning the patent on a
natural product, given that the former will be far preferable to the
latter?