Re:Intellectual Property (Score 2)

The problem I forsee is that if NSI claims to have rights to the DATABASE and not the DATA then they will probably win any case brought against them BECAUSE the NSF guaranteed them the rights.

The US gov't doesn't mind stepping on it's own toes, but I guarantee they hate invalidating their own contracts. It sets a bad precedent for a government, any government.

Having a monopoly isn't illegal, using that monopoly to enter into a new business field, however, is. Don't get me wrong, there should be compition(sp?) in this field but if NSI is only protecting a monopoly the DOJ may not have a case.