Lessig on Copyright Abolitionist “Extremists”

by Stephan Kinsella on January 14, 2010

In this TED talk [Youtube; go to around 13:48 to about 15 min] Larry Lessig explains how copyright law chokes creativity … but that copyright abolitionists are wrong and extremists. Hunh? See also Reflections on Abolitionism: Copyright and Beyond.

{ 3 comments… add one }

Jayel Aheram January 14, 2010, 9:27 pm

Yes! That talk of his was the first time that I had serious doubts about the Copyfight as a movement that had a coherent and principled rationale for opposing Intellectual Property. He was my hero for a while and that talk of his was a disappointment.

I discovered your work through Lew Rockwell (and in turn, through the Ron Paul campaign). I emailed him asking him what was the libertarian thought regarding IP. I did not really identify myself as a libertarian then, but I was curious. Anyway, he suggested that I read “Against Intellectual Property.” I did and ended up finding someone else to look up to.

Anyway, thank you for being consistent, principled, and above all coherent.

PS: I find it amusing that became a libertarian through the Copyfight.

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Dr. Q January 15, 2010, 1:09 am

Stephan, I saw that video shortly after it was released and thought it was wonderful, but, like you, found Lessig’s conclusions a little… strange.

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