--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Monopolies are not justified by theory…" description: "\"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 monop..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33f/lawrence-lessig-3201_bases_monopolies-are-not-justified-by-theory-t_2968515.png" --- # Monopolies are not justified by theory; they should be… ![“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…” quote by Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33f/lawrence-lessig-3201_bases_monopolies-are-not-justified-by-theory-t_2968515.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33f/lawrence-lessig-3201_bases_monopolies-are-not-justified-by-theory-t_2968515.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33f/lawrence-lessig-3201_bases_monopolies-are-not-justified-by-theory-t_2968515.png) > “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.” [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Copyright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/copyright/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Monopolies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monopolies/) [Monopoly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monopoly/) [Patents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patents/) [Protection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protection/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) ## Related quotes > [While control is needed, and perfectly warranted, our bias should be clear up front: Monopolies are not justified by theory; they should be permitted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-lessig/while-control-is-needed-and-perfectly-warranted-our-bias-should-be/) [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) > [Before the monopoly should be permitted, there must be reason to believe it will do some good - for society, and not just for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-lessig/before-the-monopoly-should-be-permitted-there-must-be-reason-to/) [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) > [Publishing had been successful where there had been natural geographic monopolies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-mansueto/publishing-had-been-successful-where-there-had-been-natural/) [Joe Mansueto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-mansueto/) > [Governments have monopolies on certain things, like eminent domain and deadly force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/governments-have-monopolies-on-certain-things-like-eminent-domain-and/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [This country would not be a land of opportunity, America could not be America, if the people were shackled with government monopolies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/this-country-would-not-be-a-land-of-opportunity-america-could-not-be/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [All developmental activities for the common man such as education, healthcare, shelter and food distribution should be handled by reputed private sector institutions. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-r-narayana-murthy/all-developmental-activities-for-the-common-man-such-as-education/) [N. R. Narayana Murthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-r-narayana-murthy/) > [When money, rather than innovation or value, is your competitive advantage, that's when things get boring and stagnant, and monopolies take root.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-green/when-money-rather-than-innovation-or-value-is-your-competitive/) [Hank Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-green/) > [It's no surprise to me personally that monopolists, and executives associated with monopolies, would prefer that the anti-monopoly cops just go away. 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