Can you legally create your own stuff in this scenario?
Let's say that I have a "magic power" to create things out of nothing. I create my own home, car, computer, tile floors, counters, etc etc. Even my toothbrush. Everything.
And then government/police show up and ask "how did you get this stuff? Did you steal it?"
And I respond, "No, I made everything here myself. From nothing".
And they ask me how I got them, but in response I just show them my magic power to prove I can create anything and everything I want.
The question is: Would there be any "legal" issues involving this matter? Do I have to give up my house, etc etc? Or is it personal property?
Note: no, I am not creating stuff to SELL. It's exclusively for myself/personal use.
And on a greater scale: Example---let's say I created my own time machine and the government found out I have one....can they take it?
13 Comments • Newest first
Interesting question. I'm like 75% sure that the government would NOT make an immediate decision, and instead they would hold a special-case court session to decide. And then the media would jump on top of it.
[quote=Chema]Just tell them you inherited the internet[/quote]
best ever
Just create an underwater home instead...
In Fullmetal Alchemist there's a law that says one cannot create gold out of regular materials because it'll collapse the economy. Similarly if you are able to create out of nothing, others will most likely will be able too. To mitigate damage the taboo of such magic will have to be controlled by the government to prevent economic destruction and failing businesses regardless of legal right because you can literally ruin the world.
If you're in America, the 4th and 5th Amendment guarantees that you have the right of your own property. the objects you create are fruits of your own labor (in this case, from your ability of creating matter out of thin air) and is therefore your own property, which falls under the protection of the 4th and 5th amendment. unless the government can somehow come up with a probable cause and is supported by a Grand Jury.
edit: time machine is likely to fall under "probable cause", because it has the potential to affect others and could theoretically pose a threat to public safety.
The question is, how would you make stuff without knowing anything about how they were made?
Your answer would probably depend on that.
If you didn't know anything, I would imagine it's like picking something off the side of the street
If that's the case though you'll be kidnapped by the us/Chinese/russian government and made to copy weapons or something.
You would need somewhere to build all these things.
That somewhere would most likely be private land that would first have to be bought.
theyre going to steal you and dissect you
Just tell them you inherited the internet
You know you are allowed to build your own stuff right? This is so basic, as long as you get a permit to build for example a house, by all means do it.
No, they can't legally take it from you unless they have any kind of demonstrable evidence that you obtained it through illicit means, unless you have "those" kind of officers in your district.
Well if you were to make things like Iphones you would probably get in trouble for breaking copyright laws.
Even if you created one without all the logo's, copying the design could still get you in trouble.
Yeah the goverment would prolly take it and you to study you.