The concept of intellectual property and its protection is a complicated one, fraught with ethical and moral implications.  IP is viewed by many as beneficial for promoting innovation, and by others as stifling and restrictive.  Opponents claim that the notion of IP is unjust, in that no idea is developed exclusive of all others.  Others claim that it restricts sharing of ideas and collaborative innovation.  These opponents of intellectual property rights invoke the idea that by working together and sharing of ideas, the greater good for humanity is served.  Another criticism is that these protections, by nature, create monopolies.  As evident in the Electronic Frontier Foundation's list of court cases, some companies attempt to unfairly utilize intellectual property protection for reasons other than the original intent, e.g. to squash competition. Still others claim that intellectual property protection limits civil rights (to privacy).  Finally, muddying the waters further, the public generally is unaware of intellectual property protection rules adding to the many complications in enforcement of that protection.