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We really need to think quite pragmatically about whether intellectual property is helping or hurting, and if you can't show it's going to help, then there is no reason to issue this government-backed monopoly.

— Lawrence Lessig

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More quotes by Lawrence Lessig

We are on the cusp of this time where I can say, "I speak as a citizen of the world" without others saying, "God, what a nut."

The problem is their insane rules are now being applied to the whole world. This insanity of control is expanding as everything you do touches copyrights.

I believe it would be right for common sense to revolt against the extreme claims made today on behalf of "intellectual property."

Free Culture (2004)

We live in a world with "free" content, and this freedom is not an imperfection.

May the Source Be With You (2001)

Show me why your regulation of culture is needed. Show me how it does good. And until you can show me both, keep your lawyers away.

Free Culture (2004)

All Lawrence Lessig quotes →

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Lawrence Lessig (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.