Respectfully, I asked if you had an argument against IP that worked for those of us who do not believe that the whole concept of private property is flawed. I asked because you said "next question". Asking me to justify IP is not responsive to my question.
The only argument I see in here is that copying might not be on a par with fraud and slander. Frankly, I'm a lot more worried about criminalizing slander than I am about criminalizing copying. Slander law actually does clamp down on free speech. Copyright law just prevents free-riding.
> Frankly, I'm a lot more worried about criminalizing slander than I am about criminalizing copying. Slander law actually does clamp down on free speech. Copyright law just prevents free-riding.
Indeed, I think the area of IP with the most significant impact on free speech is the one that hardly gets talked about: trademark. Causes of action for dilution and tarnishment have major free speech implications. IMHO, 15 USC 1125 is unconstitutional to the extent it allows an action for tarnishment.
The only argument I see in here is that copying might not be on a par with fraud and slander. Frankly, I'm a lot more worried about criminalizing slander than I am about criminalizing copying. Slander law actually does clamp down on free speech. Copyright law just prevents free-riding.