Intellectual property

"So uncritically do we accept the idea of property in ideas that we dont even notice how monstrous it is to deny ideas to a people who are dying without them. So uncritically do we accept the idea of property in culture that we dont even question when the control of that property removes our ability, as a people, to develop our culture democratically."

"Softwares the ultimate durable good, which of course in economics makes it a very, very competitive market."

"Overregulation stifles creativity. It smothers innovation. It gives dinosaurs a veto over the future. It wastes the extraordinary opportunity for a democratic creativity that digital technology enables."

"The future of the nation depends in no small part on the efficiency of industry, and the efficiency of industry depends in no small part on the protection of intellectual property."

"The purchasing public knows no more about trademark registrations than a man walking down the street in a strange city knows about legal title to the land and buildings he passes."

"Software licenses are perhaps the only product besides half-eaten food, underwear and toothbrushes, which cant be resold."

"When you xerox a page of something the original doesnt disappear, and in the same way information isnt really lost when its "stolen"."

"And having said it before, let me say it again. I believe in IP. I believe in its value, both economic and social. I believe it should be protected, as any other property, as a means of fostering independence, investment and autonomy. And not just in wealthy nations - but in those struggling to build wealth or pay down debt. I believe the creation, protection and evolution of intellectual property can accelerate everyones ability to participate in an open network...And that, surely, should be everyones common goal with free and open source software. Its not about bringing the competition down, its about driving global participation up."

"Whether two molecules are (dis)similar is in the eye of the beholder. Scientists look to fool the receptor - but you really want to fool the patent office."

"I believe in intellectual property. In my view, its the foundation of world economies, and certainly the foundation upon which Sun Microsystems was built. Copyright, trademark, patent - I believe in them all. I also believe in innovation and competition - and that these beliefs are not mutually exclusive."