Sinabro

On Deoxy.org:

There is a strong case for opposing intellectual property. Among other things, it often retards innovation and exploits Third World peoples. Most of the usual arguments for intellectual property do not hold up under scrutiny. In particular, the metaphor of the marketplace of ideas provides no justification for ownership of ideas. The alternative to intellectual property is that intellectual products not be owned, as in the case of everyday language. Strategies against intellectual property include civil disobedience, promotion of non-owned information, and fostering of a more cooperative society.

I know that Lessig makes a more nuanced argument and doesn’t try to push people too much. If you agree with him, then fine, you aren’t at least my enemy.

But, arguments laid out in this essay is much closer to what I believe. I have a dream that one day ideas will no longer be falsely claimed as properties. I have a dream that one day a man will abhor to commit a crime against humanity by claiming to own a part of culture. I dream of a copyright- and patent-free society.

As far as its usefulness goes, copyright served out its purpose and its welcome. And like slave labor, it must go.