Ethical dilemma: Should knowledge be unrestricted? - Michael Vazquez and Will Kanwischer episode artwork

EPISODE · May 23, 2026 · 7 MIN

Ethical dilemma: Should knowledge be unrestricted? - Michael Vazquez and Will Kanwischer

from TED-Ed · host TED-Ed

Puzzle through the ethical dilemma of intellectual property rights, and decide: how should we determine ownership of work?--In the city of Ockham, spellcasters invent incantations and publish them in scrolls that others can purchase. Unfortunately, you can’t always afford them. But one day, a friend tells you he uses an illegal duplication spell to copy scrolls. So, do you use his counterfeit scrolls to further your own research? Michael Vazquez and Will Kanwischer explore the ethics of intellectual property rights.Lesson by Michael Vazquez and Will Kanwischer, directed by Patrick Smith.This video made possible in collaboration with the Parr Center for EthicsLearn more about how TED-Ed partnerships work: https://bit.ly/TEDEdPartnerSupport Our Non-Profit Mission----------------------------------------------Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreonCheck out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShop----------------------------------------------Connect With Us----------------------------------------------Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletterFollow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebookFind us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitterPeep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram----------------------------------------------Keep Learning----------------------------------------------View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/ethical-dilemma-should-knowledge-be-free-michael-vazquez-and-will-kanwischerDig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/ethical-dilemma-should-knowledge-be-free-michael-vazquez-and-will-kanwischer/digdeeperAnimator's website: https://www.instagram.com/patrick_smith_animatorMusic: https://www.wonderboyaudio.com----------------------------------------------Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Sydney Evans, Latora, Noel Situ, emily lam, Sid, Niccolò Frassetto, Mana, I'm here because of Knowledge Fight Facebook group., Linda Freedman, Edgardo Cuellar, Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, Michael Burton, VIVIANA A GARCIA BESNE, The Vernon's, Olha Bahatiuk, Jesús Bíquez Talayero, Chels Raknrl, Sai Pranavi Jonnalagadda, Stuart Rice, Jing Chen, Vector-Dopamine math, Jasper Song, Giorgio Bugnatelli, Chardon, Eddy Trochez, OnlineBookClub.org, Eric Shear, Leith Salem, Omar Hicham, Adrian Rotaru, Brad Sullivan, Karen Ho, Niklas Frimberger, Hunter Manhart, Nathan Nguyen, Igor Stavchanskiy, James R DeVries, Grace Huo, Diana Huang, Chau Hong Diem, Orlellys Torre, Corheu, Thomas Mee, Maryann H McCrory, Blas Borde, John Hellmann, Poompak Meephian, Chuck Wofford, Adam Pagan, and Wes Winn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Puzzle through the ethical dilemma of intellectual property rights, and decide: how should we determine ownership of work?--In the city of Ockham, spellcasters invent incantations and publish them in scrolls that others can purchase. Unfortunately, you can’t always afford them. But one day, a friend tells you he uses an illegal duplication spell to copy scrolls. So, do you use his counterfeit scrolls to further your own research? Michael Vazquez and Will Kanwischer explore the ethics of intellectual property rights.Lesson by Michael Vazquez and Will Kanwischer, directed by Patrick Smith.This video made possible in collaboration with the Parr Center for EthicsLearn more about how TED-Ed partnerships work: https://bit.ly/TEDEdPartnerSupport Our Non-Profit Mission----------------------------------------------Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreonCheck out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShop----------------------------------------------Connect With Us----------------------------------------------Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletterFollow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebookFind us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitterPeep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram----------------------------------------------Keep Learning----------------------------------------------View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/ethical-dilemma-should-knowledge-be-free-michael-vazquez-and-will-kanwischerDig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/ethical-dilemma-should-knowledge-be-free-michael-vazquez-and-will-kanwischer/digdeeperAnimator's website: https://www.instagram.com/patrick_smith_animatorMusic: https://www.wonderboyaudio.com----------------------------------------------Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Sydney Evans, Latora, Noel Situ, emily lam, Sid, Niccolò Frassetto, Mana, I'm here because of Knowledge Fight Facebook group., Linda Freedman, Edgardo Cuellar, Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, Michael Burton, VIVIANA A GARCIA BESNE, The Vernon's, Olha Bahatiuk, Jesús Bíquez Talayero, Chels Raknrl, Sai Pranavi Jonnalagadda, Stuart Rice, Jing Chen, Vector-Dopamine math, Jasper Song, Giorgio Bugnatelli, Chardon, Eddy Trochez, OnlineBookClub.org, Eric Shear, Leith Salem, Omar Hicham, Adrian Rotaru, Brad Sullivan, Karen Ho, Niklas Frimberger, Hunter Manhart, Nathan Nguyen, Igor Stavchanskiy, James R DeVries, Grace Huo, Diana Huang, Chau Hong Diem, Orlellys Torre, Corheu, Thomas Mee, Maryann H McCrory, Blas Borde, John Hellmann, Poompak Meephian, Chuck Wofford, Adam Pagan, and Wes Winn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Ethical dilemma: Should knowledge be unrestricted? - Michael Vazquez and Will Kanwischer

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This episode was published on May 23, 2026.

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Puzzle through the ethical dilemma of intellectual property rights, and decide: how should we determine ownership of work?--In the city of Ockham, spellcasters invent incantations and publish them in scrolls that others can purchase. Unfortunately,...

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