Monthly Archives: October 2011

Natural Rights Libertarianism and IP: A Reply to Tom Palmer

One of the hottest topics in contemporary rights-based libertarian theory is the question of whether intellectual property is justified from the moral perspective. While many important historical libertarian figures (e.g. Lysander Spooner) and modern ones (Ayn Rand and Robert Nozick) have defended the ethical foundation of this form of property, I think it is fair to say that the current tide of opinion is flowing in the opposite direction. One reason for this is the influential 1990 essay by Tom G. Palmer, “Are Patents and Copyrights Morally Justified? The Philosophy of Property Rights and Ideal Objects” (in Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy, Vol. 13/3), which is available here, http://tomgpalmer.com/wp-content/uploads/papers/palmer-morallyjustified-harvard-v13n3.pdf. Continue Reading »

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