Can we ever really own ideas? 🤔
At Konsensus Network, we publish books and deal with Intellectual Property (IP) on a daily basis. Libertarians disagree on whether ideas can be owned.
Here’s my take.
What’s IP?
Copyright ©️ for creative works
Patents 👨⚖️ for inventions
Trade Secrets 🤫 for business edges
Trademarks ™️ for brands.
I’m focusing on copyright—my wheelhouse as a publisher.
Why the Debate? 📢
In 2025, digital media is everywhere. Copying is instant and free. So, can you own a song or book when it’s shared globally?
What’s your take on digital copying?
Copyright’s Roots ©️
In the 18th century, copyright let creators control the distribution of their works. If a printer copied a poet’s book without permission, it was considered theft. Fair? Maybe not.
Fairness vs. Contracts 🤝
Talking about fairness leads to murky debates about the ‘greater good.’ Contracts are clearer. If I share my idea under a contract and you break it, you have violated a contract, not stolen an idea.
Digital Age Twist 🍎
Copying digital content doesn’t take anything from the creator. It’s not like stealing an apple (that’d make you a jerk). Ideas aren’t scarce, but the work to grow and share them is.
You can’t own (raw) ideas. 💡
Per Stephan Kinsella
“A system of property rights in “ideal objects” necessarily requires violation of other individual property rights, e.g., to use one’s own tangible property as one sees fit.”
Trying to prevent anyone from interacting with an idea restricts their freedom of action.
Yes, his book is available for free at mises dot org.
My idea for a book is free; take it. My book is not free; buy it.
If you take my book and sell it as your own, I will come for you. I have made my idea scarce by acting as its steward and protector.
Welcome to Action-Based Property 🎬
“A framework of ownership that emerges through acts of creation, use, and cultivation. Not established by exclusion or enforcement, but by participation and ongoing contribution.”
Our way at @npub1w8ep...x9ds 𓇼
We publish paper and electronic books. Some are free, some are paid, and some are remixed. We don’t believe in state-backed IP laws or patents. We believe in private contracts.
Buy a book, and it’s yours—per the contract.
