Monopoly controls have been the exception in free societies; they have been the rule in closed societies.

Quote by Lawrence Lessig

Topics: Lawrence Lessig Quotes

Notwithstanding the fact that the most innovative and progressive space we've seen - the Internet...

Notwithstanding the fact that the most innovative and progressive space we've seen - the Internet...

Power runs with ideas that only the crazy would draw into doubt.

Power runs with ideas that only the crazy would draw into doubt.

By the time Apple's Macintosh operating system finally falls into the public domain, there will...

By the time Apple's Macintosh operating system finally falls into the public domain, there will...

Remember the refrain: We always build on the past; the past always tries to stop...

Remember the refrain: We always build on the past; the past always tries to stop...

We have a massive system to regulate creativity. A massive system of lawyers regulating creativity...

We have a massive system to regulate creativity. A massive system of lawyers regulating creativity...

All around us are the consequences of the most significant technological, and hence cultural, revolution...

All around us are the consequences of the most significant technological, and hence cultural, revolution...

While the creative works from the 16th century can still be accessed and used by...

While the creative works from the 16th century can still be accessed and used by...

A free culture has been our past, but it will only be our future if...

A free culture has been our past, but it will only be our future if...

If the only way a library can offer an Internet exhibit about the New Deal...

If the only way a library can offer an Internet exhibit about the New Deal...

A time is marked not so much by ideas that are argued about as by...

A time is marked not so much by ideas that are argued about as by...

This does not mean that every copyright must prove its value initially. That would be...

This does not mean that every copyright must prove its value initially. That would be...

So uncritically do we accept the idea of property in culture that we don't even...

So uncritically do we accept the idea of property in culture that we don't even...

The real harm of term extension comes not from these famous works. The real harm...

The real harm of term extension comes not from these famous works. The real harm...

Americans have been selling this view around the world: that progress comes from perfect protection...

Americans have been selling this view around the world: that progress comes from perfect protection...

Now that copyrights can be just about a century long, the inability to know what...

Now that copyrights can be just about a century long, the inability to know what...

As we've seen, our constitutional system requires limits on copyright as a way to assure...

As we've seen, our constitutional system requires limits on copyright as a way to assure...

If the Internet teaches us anything, it is that great value comes from leaving core...

If the Internet teaches us anything, it is that great value comes from leaving core...

Believing we know what makes prosperity work, ignoring the nature of the actual prosperity all...

Believing we know what makes prosperity work, ignoring the nature of the actual prosperity all...

In these times, the hardest task for social or political activists is to find a...

In these times, the hardest task for social or political activists is to find a...

Copyrights have not expired, and will not expire, so long as Congress is free to...

Copyrights have not expired, and will not expire, so long as Congress is free to...