Re My Objections to IP: Nevermind
Since IP causes only about $40 billion or so a year damage to the economy, I hereby withdraw my objections. That amount is obviously trivial, in view of trillion-dollar bailouts, trillion-dollar wars, scores of trillions of dollars of debt. And as for the $80 billion tax-funded innovation prize fund--chicken feed. Let 'er rip!
Comments (6)
Wilson's Ghost
Personally, I'm cheering for the carbon tax and a Nazi health care system.
The State in 08!
Published: September 29, 2008 2:46 PM
JRH
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! That's really funny, Stephen.
Published: September 29, 2008 3:10 PM
David C
Another cost I never see talked about is compatibility cost. People just assume that it's a natural part of a free market for every appliance, device, and automobile manufacture to have incompatible parts. Related, patents can reward obsolescence strategies that likely would not work in a free market where people could replace old parts or compete on quality. It causes unnecessary distribution, replacement, and waste costs.
Published: September 29, 2008 4:40 PM
Andras
Stephen,
How did you come up with this number?
Published: September 29, 2008 7:28 PM
Sukrit Sabhlok
Andras, click the link provided in Stephen's post (the word "causes") and it shows how he worked it out.
Published: September 29, 2008 7:55 PM
andras
Thanks Sukrit.
So those last year numbers should be inflation adjusted. On the other hand, I have read it but I could only see numbers arbitrarily thrown together. Where did I see this before? Ah yes, the government does the same when it quantifies imaginary profits and losses.
In fact there is no market for these issues. As there is no market for any legal issues. It is a true monopoly. In the same way, you may also want to calculate how much are the profits/(losses) on upholding (other) property rights.
Published: September 29, 2008 11:03 PM