What the Dickens is Going On?

What the Dickens is going on?

This unusual expression may well have been founded following English novelist Charles Dickens’ first visit to the USA back in 1842.

Dickens, who was just 30 at the time, was treated like a modern rock star but the trip soon turned sour. Oliver Twist and The Pickwick Papers had already made him the most famous writer in the world. However, Dickens became incensed at how Americans were plagiarising his works. Americans were reading his works for free in pirated editions.

In 1842, there were no international copyright laws in America. Today we would say the issue was over intellectual property rights. Dickens realised his popularity in the US could substantially increase his income if his American fans paid to read his works. “I am the greatest loser alive by the present law,” he complained.

Dickens argued that copyright law would help American writers as well. However, the American press turned on Dickens, labelling him as a vulgar money-grabber. The truth is many countries, including the United States, have ignored intellectual property rights in the past. US patent attorney Steve Adkins reminded me, however, that when a nation sees the merit and value in new ideas and inventions, they seek to preserve them, and pass laws accordingly.

And this is true for China too who only registered their first patent in 1985. Since that time, China has dominated the world in the number of patents, trademarks and industrial design filings. In case you missed it, China is rapidly morphing from a copier of products to an innovator and leader, and of course, wants to protect its patents and trademarks.

Aftermarket printer cartridges, for example, are not just illegal copies any more. Yes, the illegal copies still exist, however, there are a large, growing number of non-infringing new-built cartridges being produced. Many companies now own their own intellectual property rights on their own cartridge designs that allegedly do not infringe. The printer OEMs must be wondering where the battle lines for market share are going to be fought in the future.

So, ‘what the dickens’ will happen next?

David Gibbons has been a school principal, a managing director of his own business, a director of communication for a large global organisation, a TV news host, a publisher of magazines and online content. He is currently a director of RT Media based in Zhuhai, China—a position he has held since 2011. He can be seen on the inTouch TV News broadcasts and interviews and is also the publisher of the RT ImagingWorld magazine for the global imaging supplies industry.

Read more from David Gibbons who can also be found on LinkedIn:

• Have you seen the news?
• 6 Quick Questions: E-commerce and the New Normal: The founding CEO of the world’s largest online eCommerce store for imaging supplies talks about new normal after COVID-19.
• Famous Sports Star Says Reuse is the Better Way to Recycle: Reuse is the better way to recycle on a TV campaign promoting remanufactured cartridges with Australian cricket legend Mark Waugh.
• Bike Courier Services Boom in China During Coronavirus: Bike courier services boom in China during the coronavirus and COVID-19 is delivering new opportunities but are westerners picking up?
• A Misplaced Australian in China – a different world view: As a misplaced Australian in China, I had to learn quickly that many lies have been told about China and the role it has to play in world affairs. We should not reject China for all the preconceived opinions we may still hold. Rather, there may be opportunities here for you too.
• To Be? Or Not to Be? … But that’s NOT the Question: The Aftermarket should be asking: “Is it infringing? Or is it not infringing?”
• What the Dickens? Charles Dickens, who was treated like a modern rock star, became incensed at how Americans were plagiarising his works.

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