Intellectual Property

Ever since I heard this term, I have been quite fascinated by its ramifications. Lately the issue seems to be popping up quite a bit. I think it is the psychology behind the issue that is intriguing. How much built information are we using each time we solve a problem or come up with an idea? I understand that it is in the company's best interest to guard their research from the competition by putting certain limitations on their employees as to what they can share or use outside of the company's interests. A person cannot erase what they have learned, so what are the options for the companies? To prohibit their employees from ever working for the competitor or private, individual enterprise? I suppose they can go the sci-fi route and invent a machine that does in fact remove select memories from an individual's mind, erasing their liability. Though it was not the center issue, the movie "Paycheck" had such a device and was employing a man to steal the ideas of another to create a new and improved design for another company. In the book "Enchanted Inc." by Shanna Swendson, one of the characters is actually a lawyer who specializes in intellectual property cases. They were able to stop a wizard's harmful new business enterprise through an intellectual property claim that stated that since the spell he was marketing was based on research he did at and for his former employers, the spell and any derivatives belonged to that company. The big question is where to draw the line (or is it even possible) between what is the natural process of forming ideas and the protection of an individual's or companys ideas and innovations.