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Probably the last man who knew how it worked had been…

“Probably the last man who knew how it worked had been tortured to death years before. Or as soon as it was installed. Killing the creator was a traditional method of patent protection.” quote by Terry Pratchett
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“Probably the last man who knew how it worked had been tortured to death years before. Or as soon as it was installed. Killing the creator was a traditional method of patent protection.”

Terry Pratchett

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A creator’s death is used as a brutal way to protect inventions, highlighting the dark side of intellectual property enforcement.

In simple terms: Killing creators protects patents.

Key Takeaway

Beware of extreme measures to guard ideas.

Themes

ethics intellectual property power violence innovation

Mood

cynical serious reflective

Type

cautionary critical

When to use this quote

  • corporate espionage
  • legal battles
  • creative industries
  • historical oppression

Key Concepts

patent law morality control creativity

Questions to Reflect On

  • Is protecting ideas worth a life?
  • How can we safeguard innovation ethically?
A Different Perspective

Such tactics can stifle progress and harm society.

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