Against Intellectual Monopoly
Against Intellectual Monopoly:
Economic and Game Theory
Against Intellectual Monopoly
by Michele Boldrin and David K. Levine
top | general | research | classes | links | David “Monopoly corrupts, absolute monopoly corrupts absolutely.”
[new version November 11, 2005]
It is common to argue that intellectual property in the form of copyright and patent is necessary for the innovation and creation of ideas and inventions such as machines, drugs, computer software, books, music, literature and movies. In fact intellectual property is not like ordinary property at all, but constitutes a government grant of a costly and dangerous private monopoly over ideas. We show through theory and example that intellectual monopoly is not neccesary for innovation and as a practical matter is damaging to growth, prosperity and liberty.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Creation Under Competition
Chapter 3: How Competition Works
Chapter 4: Innovation Without Patents
Chapter 5: The Intellectual Monopoly Apologists
Chapter
