Many contemporary theorists and commentators frame the question of intellectual property as a question of ownership over ideas. In this framework, a new product is seen as an embodiment of a new idea. Producing multiple copies of a new product is
Intellectual Property 
Cleaning Up After Robert Wenzel’s Drive-By Against IP
The following is adapted from a recent presentation at a Mises Toronto Pub night. Let me start off by saying I have a lot respect for Robert Wenzel. Robert Wenzel is the editor and publisher of EconomicPolicyJournal.com, a very popular—and
Paul’s Mistake on RonPaul.com
*Update- In light of Lew Rockwell’s recent post and Robert Wenzel’s article, I will address new concerns soon in another piece. I also thank Wenzel for his response as libertarianism is a political theory that, like other theories, needs discussed
Mises Meet in Toronto this Tuesday!
If you’re in the Toronto area, come out to the Pauper’s Pub this Tuesday, February 5th, at 7 p.m.! Come meet other Austrian- and libertarian-minded people in the city and share your gripes against fiat money and passion for private
Austrian AV Club – Stephan Kinsella
Redmond is the director of the Ludwig von Mises Institute of Canada.
The Nonviolent Black Market in Information
[Originally posted on mises.org, Wednesday, July 21st, 2010] Unlike most black markets, the black market for information is characterized by peace and stability. There is a near-perfect harmony between the supply and the demand for movies, music, songs, and other
How Intellectual Property Hampers the Free Market
[Originally published in The Freeman, Volume 61, Issue 5, June 2011] Advocates of free-market capitalism commonly believe in the legitimacy of intellectual property (IP) because IP rights are thought to be important to a system of private property. But are
What’s Really Wrong with the Healthcare Industry
Originally Posted on mises.org, Wednesday, May 26th, 2010. On May 3, 2010, I gave a talk to a class of students studying public health policy at the University of Washington. I began the talk by asking the students how many
Myth Busting in Kosovo
Kosovo is Europe’s newest country after declaring independence from Serbia in 2008. It is at the same time Europe’s poorest country—with unemployment approaching a staggering 49% and around 30% of the population living below the “poverty line.†However, as bad
Does Ayn Rand and her Objectivist philosophy support Austrian economics, libertarianism and Anarcho-capitalism? NO!
In response to an earlier post, Redmond wrote: Say what you will about Rand – many people who I have met who are interested in the Austrian School came to it through Ayn Rand. And they are young enough that
The Napster Experiment
There is  a debate among libertarians as to whether claims to intellectual property rights ought to be maintained. A key argument made by those in favor of such rights is that they are necessary to encourage the production of  scientific
Wendy McElroy: Ominous Copyright Ruling Stands
The following was originally posted by Wendy McElroy on The Freeman blog site at: http://www.thefreemanonline.org/headline/copyright-ruling/ In my view, Wendy (a Canadian) is this country’s greatest living libertarian treasure. She has written on the absurdity of “intellectual property” since at least 1980
Clearing Up the Copyright Confusion: Fair Dealing and Bill C-32
Fair dealing has played a prominent role in the hearings on Bill C-32, with education and creator groups debating the merits and impact of the proposed reforms. Unfortunately, much of the discussion has confused rather than clarified the issue with misleading
The Wikileaks Copyright Cables: Confirmations Not Revelations
Last weekend, I posted that I suspected the KIPR tag on U.S. diplomatic cables being released by Wikileaks represented cables involving intellectual property issues. Sure enough, the first batch of KIPR cables have been released in Spain, confirming U.S. pressure on
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