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Mankiw on SOPA

I like Greg Mankiw’s comments on SOPA. I don’t think SOPA is the right way to address the problem, but it is a problem.

The anti-SOPA crowd argues that this is a matter of basic liberty.  But it’s not.  In a free society, you don’t have the freedom to steal your neighbor’s property.  And that should include intellectual property.  Moreover, it is the function of the state to enforce those rights.  We don’t leave it up to civil litigation to protect property rights (although that is part of the solution).  We give the state substantial powers to stop theft.  Just as owners of tangible personal property have good cause to call for a police force and a system of criminal courts, owners of intellectual property have good cause to ask the state to stop those who would infringe on their rights.

Read the rest. It’s not long.

Posted by Wendy at 0759 hrs
Law + Politics + Politics - General

1. I don’t think SOPA is the right way to address the problem

   It certainly is not.  For one it takes the state out of the business of enforcing IP: the guilty party has to comply to an accusation, within five days.  No investigation, no nothing.

   but it is a problem.

   Perhaps.

   But we don’t need to enact more legislation, more laws, more power to the State - piracy is illegal, right now.

   Posted by Brian Dunbar on January 20, 2012 at 1319 hrs
   
   
   

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