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To: JerseyHighlander; antiRepublicrat
Does this misstate Lessig's position, then? This part:

Like 19th century French anarchist Pierre-Joseph Proudhon and coiner of the slogan "property is theft!" Lessig sees ownership as a constriction imposed on the masses. [...] Lessig wants to replace what he calls the "permission culture" that currently exists with a new "remix culture" that rejects the existence of copyrights and intellectual property.

I'm not sure how eliminating copyrights or the whole concept of intellectual property is more constitutional, or for that matter, a good idea. I don't know Lessig. Is this a misrepresentation of his position?

12 posted on 04/23/2008 10:47:56 AM PDT by Ramius (Personally, I give us... one chance in three. More tea?)
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To: Ramius
I'm not sure how eliminating copyrights or the whole concept of intellectual property is more constitutional, or for that matter, a good idea.

That isn't his position. It's not about eliminating copyrights. It's about bringing it back to the limited granted monopoly concept of the Constitution instead of the distorted semi-permanent rights system we have now that was bought by corporate lobbyists and puts the Constitution subordinate to international treaties.

Jefferson was so worried about the situation we have today developing that he didn't want any copyright or patent to exist at all. Government-granted monopolies (that is what copyrights and patents are) and their extreme penchant for abuse scared the hell out of him, and rightfully so. Madison was a bit naive and replied to Jefferson that the will of the people would keep abuses under control. We can see how well that worked out.

13 posted on 04/23/2008 11:43:02 AM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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