The concept of intellectual property: from Plato's views to current copyright protection in the light of open access

Works of literature covering the concept of intellectual property, its origins and its evolution, help us to understand the rationale as well as reasons that lead the concept of property to be associated not only with lands and goods but also with intellectual endeavours or creations. More importantly, this turn/transform clarifies that the issue of a better copyright protection regime in the digital age should be considered in the light of open access which determines an effective response to the ongoing technological evolution. To examine this issue, the concept of property should be addressed through Plato's views about ownership, as he is the first political philosopher who attaches to this concept legal extensions and legal rights in the light of his "ideal republic".