[LINK] Is it unethical to infringe a patent?

[Brendan Scott]

Just an open question really.  Assuming that patents are a form  of property:

(a) would it be unethical to infringe a patent?  (eg: exercise a patent without the permission of the patent holder)

(b) would it be a form of stealing?


I'm interested in views generally but, of course, since few people actually believe patents are (or even should be) a form of property, I'm particularly interested in the views of anyone who does so believe. 


Brendan