Don't think intellectual property laws are out of control yet?

The United Nation's "World Intellectual Property Office" (WIPO) has recommended that developing nations "nationalize" their folklore and require that foreigners using elements of their national folk art be required to license those concepts.  Ghana took things a step further, drafting laws that make it inappropriate for anyone (including their own citizens) from using folk art elements in their works.   (See http://www.boingboing.net/2005/04/21/ghana_nationalizes_f.html for more information.)

This is yet another example where intellectual property law is really starting to hurt people.  This is akin to saying that the government owns Santa Claus as an image, concept, character, etc.  If you want to use Santa's image in an artwork, commercial, play, etc., you have to cough up some cash to Uncle Sam (or whoever originated the concept of Santa Claus).

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