Patent Quote by Jonas Salk
“The people - could you patent the sun ?”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Radio broadcast, 1965
He humorously questions the feasibility of patenting a natural phenomenon, highlighting limits of intellectual property.
In simple terms: Patenting the sun is absurd.
Key Takeaway
Recognize natural limits of patents.
Themes
law
innovation
ethics
nature
ownership
Mood
witty
critical
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- patent filing
- policy debate
- educational curricula
- public discourse
Key Concepts
intellectual property
public domain
scientific discovery
Questions to Reflect On
- What should be patentable?
- How do we balance innovation with public good?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify complex IP issues.
![“[Who owns the patent on this vaccine?] Well, the people, I would say. There is no patent. Could you patent the sun?” quote by Jonas Salk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4fa/jonas-salk-9307_humility_who-owns-the-patent-on-this-vaccine-well_3027708.jpg)
![“In 1955, amid the great fanfare that accompanied the initial release of the [polio] vaccine, Dr. Jonas Salk was asked who owned the patent. He replied, "Well, the people, I would say. Could you patent the sun?” quote by John Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bcd/john-abramson-70948_patent_in-1955-amid-the-great-fanfare-that-acco_3116656.jpg)
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
