Bases Quote by Lawrence Lessig
“Monopolies are not justified by theory; they should be permitted only when justified by facts. If there is no solid basis for extending a certain monopoly protection, then we should not extend that protection. This does not mean that every copyright must prove its value initially. That would be a far too cumbersome system of control. But it does mean that every system or category of copyright or patent should prove its worth. Before the monopoly should be permitted, there must be reason to believe it will do some good -- for society, and not just for monopoly holders.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Stanford Law School Lecture, Lawrence Lessig, 2004
Monopolies should only exist when they demonstrably benefit society; without evidence, they are unjustified and harmful.
In simple terms: Only justified monopolies stay; otherwise they’re bad.
Key Takeaway
Demand evidence before granting monopoly rights.
Themes
law
economics
ethics
policy
innovation
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
legal
policy
When to use this quote
- business strategy
- legislation
- technology development
- research funding
Key Concepts
public interest
competition
intellectual property
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria should define societal benefit?
- How to balance innovation with competition?
A Different Perspective
Evidence can be hard to gather, delaying protection.
