Fruit as IP
While traveling in Korea, I encountered this lovely display of melons in a hotel restaurant. As I took out my camera to snap a picture, a person came out to tell me I was not allowed to photograph it. But it was too late. The deed was done.
First of all, I wasn’t sure why I shouldn’t have taken the photo. Was there some kind of intellectual property associated with this arrangement? In an age when cameras are so ubiquitous, to tell someone they can’t take a picture seems a bit odd to me. Especially at a restaurant. I can understand if random people might be standing in the photo; they deserve their privacy. Many museums have given up trying to stop visitors from taking photos of artworks and artifacts. So why this restaurant? Unfortunately, I couldn’t speak the language and now am guilty of some crime. I hope this post absolves me.

Keep Reading
Most Popular
Geoffrey Hinton tells us why he’s now scared of the tech he helped build
“I have suddenly switched my views on whether these things are going to be more intelligent than us.”
ChatGPT is going to change education, not destroy it
The narrative around cheating students doesn’t tell the whole story. Meet the teachers who think generative AI could actually make learning better.
Meet the people who use Notion to plan their whole lives
The workplace tool’s appeal extends far beyond organizing work projects. Many users find it’s just as useful for managing their free time.
Learning to code isn’t enough
Historically, learn-to-code efforts have provided opportunities for the few, but new efforts are aiming to be inclusive.
Stay connected
Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.