Why regulating data as property

“[Advances] in scientific research, quantum mechanics, and quantum computing which confirm that information an any digital or electronic medium is, and always has been, physical, tangible matter.

[Being] an asset that is created, manufactured, processed, stored, transferred, licensed, sold, and stolen [data has become a new kind of property].

[Following] the scientific consensus that digital information is not intangible, but is physical, tangible matter [governance of data] will be best achieved by leveraging existing legal systems that govern the ownership, use, and transactions of the physical assets.

[A property rules construct proposes that] a right to own digital information arises upon creation (whether by keystroke or machine)”

Source: Ritter J. and Mayer A. Regulating data as property: a new construct for moving forward. Duke Law & Technology Review. 2018. No 16. P. 220–277.