Hey guys Sithis here in this video i’m going to explain Why I believe we should Abolish intellectual property. The dictionary definition for Intellectual property is a work or invention that is the result of creativity, such as a manuscript or a design, to which one has rights and for which one may apply for a patent, copyright, trademark, etc. In other words it is When the state grants a monopoly privilege over an idea Allowing the restriction of others to copy that idea Using their own private property.
For instance, if you create some sort of invention or art, And are approved for a patent for that idea, Any other person that uses their property to copy that Idea can be taken to court By the patent holder And punished by The state Whether it be by a fine, Restitution, or jail time. This is a violation of private property rights Because The definition of ownership is the right to control a scarce resource. If you are the owner of a scarce resource, you have the right to do Whatever you want with that Property, so long as you are not using it to violate the The property right of another individual i.e. Initiate aggression.
Intellectual property is not real property Because An idea is not a scarce resource. Therefore, there could be no conflicts over its use. Conflicts are A dispute over scarce means. Scarce resources cannot be used by two people at the same time. If there’s a watch and 2 people, both of them can’t wear that watch At the same time. An idea is not a Scarce resource in which you can have conflicts over. Two people could both use the same idea at the same time without taking anything away from the original creator. Let’s say you do have an Idea For a piece of art or invention, are approved for a patent, And put that product on the market. How can you stop Another person from copying your work without Initiating an aggression? In the end of the day when you have a patent You are Stopping others from doing what they want with their private property.
Also, if an idea is property, why limit the amount of time in which you can own it? You can only own a patent for a limited amount of years Depending on the country. If you own something, you have the right to control that Scarce resource until you either voluntarily trade that thing with another Person or die then that Property will return to the commons.
You either have the Right to control that Idea, or you don’t. If an idea was truly property, no one would have the right to restrict you from Owning it for the rest of your life And passing it on to another person Before you die. I don’t know any Intellectual property Advocate Who would actually support not only allowing a person to own a patent for the rest of their life, But pass it on to another person So that they can own it for the rest of Their lives then on an on to Infinity. Although this position may be consistent, I think we can all see why that would be completely absurd.
Copying is not theft. For instance If you own a car And in the night I hot wire your car And steal it without your consent, have I Violated your Property rights? Of course I have, Because I stole your property. By possessing your car without your consent, I am Claiming ownership over your car and are excluding you from it Which is a violation of property rights. Now let’s say you have an idea For a new invention And decide to produce it and put it out in the market.
Because I like your product I Decided use my own property to copy it. Have I violated your property rights? No, because you still have the idea in your head and nothing is restricting You from continuing to create the product in which you invented. Me copying your idea does not exclude you from using Or producing that idea. Now, let’s say I decided to take that copy of your invention and sell it. Have I violated your property rights then? No, because you still have the idea, the only thing in which I Decided to sell is my own property which you have no right to. Your idea and the ability to Produce it is still present. Me copying and selling my own property does not restrict you from accessing the idea in which you created. Nothing that was in your possession before was taken from your possession Simply because I Used my property To copy your idea. Now a question that I normally get is if another person is able to copy my invention, What’s going to incentivize me to create an invention if Another person is able to copy it And possibly Steal my profits?
If there’s a need for your product, someone Will be willing to pay for that Product and because you’re the first person to create it That gives you the first seller’s advantage.
The first seller’s advantage, also known as first-mover advantage, refers to the benefit gained by the first company to enter a market or introduce a new product. They often establish brand recognition, customer loyalty, and secure distribution channels ahead of competitors. This can create barriers for later entrants, giving the first mover a competitive edge In the market. When a company is the first to enter a market or introduce a new product, it often enjoys several advantages. Being the first to market allows a company to establish its brand before competitors, making it more recognizable to consumers. Early adopters of a product or service may develop loyalty to the brand, making it difficult for competitors to win them over later. First movers can also secure advantageous distribution agreements, making it harder for later entrants to access prime shelf space or distribution networks. Furthermore, Being first allows a company to learn from initial mistakes and refine its product or service, making it difficult for competitors to catch up. As you can see, because of the first seller’s advantage, it is more than possible to make a Profit off of a Invention Or a piece of art Without a patent Or copyright.
Another question that I get is, Is there really no way I could Prevent another person from copying my idea? There are plenty of free market ways in which you can use in order to prevent another person from Copying your idea. Here’s three
1.Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs): NDAs are legal contracts that protect confidential information shared between parties. They can be used when disclosing your invention or idea to potential investors, partners, or employees to prevent them from sharing or using the information without permission.
2.Trade Secrets: Keeping certain aspects of your invention or idea confidential can protect them as trade secrets. This can include formulas, processes, or customer lists that provide a competitive advantage.
3.Encrypting Files and Documents: You can Utilize encryption software to encrypt files and documents containing sensitive information about your idea. This ensures that even if unauthorized individuals gain access to these files, they cannot decipher the contents without the encryption key.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to protect your ideas or inventions without copyright Or a patent. The idea that we have to violate people’s property rights in order to protect our ideas A non scarce resource Is simply Incorrect and immoral.
Also, For all the people who are probably wondering, what about drugs? Don’t pharmaceutical companies need Patents in order to make a profit off of their drugs?
To answer this, I want to show you a clip from a debate Stephan kinsella did Where he addresses this question Check this out. (Plays clip from debate)
If the only way that you can make profit off Of your invention And or art Is to violate people’s property rights Then your Product shouldn’t be on the market. to quote the great Stephan Kinsella “Your failed business model is not my problem.”
So to sum up An idea is a non scarce resource Therefore, there could be no conflicts over its use. Any use of the state to stop another person from copying your idea Weather by patents copyright and or trademark Is a Violation of private property rights. There are plenty of ways in which you can make profit off of your ideas without violating people’s property rights as well as numerous Free market ways to protect your ideas without the initiation of force.
This is just a few out of the many. Reasons why I And many other Anarco capitalist libertarians Believe that intellectual property Is a violation of private property rights And should be completely abolished.
To Finish this video off. I want to show you Another clip from that debate that Stephan Kinsella was in. In this clip he basically Lists off A bunch of examples of Intellectual property being abused In some pretty wild ways.
Thank you
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