The advocates of “states’ rights” have long pushed the idea of nullification–the doctrine that a state can declare a federal law null and void within that state. (Sadly, even Thomas Jefferson endorsed the idea.) More recently, many conservatives and Libertarians have...
Weakening intellectual property laws due to negative policy rhetoric, hyperbolic internet commentary, and even extensive lobbying by firms who choose to infringe patents because they don’t want to pay the licenses offered to them by patent licensing firms is irrespons…
The real problem with this “broken reporting” by Mr. Bilton and his ilk is that it is feeding a growing anti-patent frenzy among commentators, academics, and the public, who seem to think that your smart phones, tablets and other technological marvels just don’t e…
The claim that there is a “patent litigation explosion” is a myth, but there’s a related patent litigation myth that has proven cantankerously resilient in the patent policy debates — there’s an “explosion” of patent-owners racing to the International Trad…
It is intolerable that their people be made to suffer the effects of disastrous legislation piled on top of a natural disaster and thereby needlessly enlarging and extending the effects of the natural disaster.
Every day, millions of Americans dispense advice to friends, relatives, and complete strangers through blogs, websites, and a variety of online publications. And each time they do so, many of these Americans could be risking substantial fines and perhaps even...
Individuals from across the political spectrum denounce cronyism. Politicians as diverse as Sarah Palin and Barack Obama have decried businessmen who use government favors for economic gain. Groups with diametrically opposing views, such as the Tea Parties and Occupy...
The stated purpose of zoning is to control land use within a community to prevent “incompatible” land uses and to promote planning. Most Americans accept zoning as a “necessary evil” that prevents pawn shops and factories from operating in residential neighborhoods....
I am not a prophet, seer, or tarot card reader. I do not possess any kind of psychic ability. But I can predict the future, for I possess the power of principles. Principles allow us to project the consequences of our actions, and predict the actions of others. About...
In February, Indiana became the twenty-third state, and the first in the “Rust Belt,” to enact a “right to work” law. The Indiana law states: A person may not require an individual to: (1) become or remain a member of a labor organization; (2) pay dues, fees,...
If licensing is not protecting consumers, why do many professions require a license?
The recent New York Times article on the high-tech industry argues that software patents and the current “smart phone war” are a disaster for innovation, and it backs this with quotes and cites from a horde of academics and judges, like Judge Richard Posner, that...
The New York Times set hearts aflutter in the IP world yesterday with its hit piece on patents in the high-tech industry.
The historical patent litigation rates are significant because they also include the same “patent wars” that we are experiencing with the “smart phone war.”
It’s time to bring objectivity and a historical-based perspective to public policy discussions about software patents and the role of property rights in innovation.
Most people accept building codes as a necessary government intervention. One Website states: Codes provide minimum standards for building construction in order to safeguard the public’s safety, health, and welfare. Another Website states: If we searched we could find...
Any meaningful program of gun control must above all focus on strictly controlling and regulating the activities of the government.
Every day, millions of Americans dispense advice to friends, relatives, and complete strangers through blogs, websites, and a variety of online publications. And each time they do so, many of these Americans could be risking substantial fines and perhaps even...
“It is not our job to protect the people from the consequences of their political choices.” — Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts. WRONG. This is precisely what the Supreme Court’s job is. The founders of the American republic created three...
Madoff was completely selfless.
Even in today’s crazy world, there’s still some justice to be found in the United States. A convert to Islam who helped promote death threats against the producers of the animated television show “South Park” after it featured a character...
The “fast and furious” scandal involving Obama and his attorney general is an example of Big Government gone bad. The scandal centers on a federal policy of “gunwalking” that began in 2006, first during the George W. Bush administration and later dramatically...
Defenders of freedom must reject the entire notion of “states’ rights” and instead embrace the principle of individual rights.
As an adult, have you ever been forced to eat or drink anything against your will? Have you ever been coerced into eating a bacon cheeseburger and a mountain of fries? Have you ever been compelled to drink one more beer than you should? What you put into your mouth...
If a survey were taken, what would receive the lowest scores for quality, price, and value: The post office The state of our roads The quality of public education The price of gasoline Energy bills Wall Street Congress Chances are good that all of these would receive...
President Obama is reportedly shifting millions of dollars to the IRS to begin enforcement of ObamaCare. This raises the obvious question: What if the Supreme Court strikes down ObamaCare, with a decision expected no later than early June? Anyone who witnessed the...
We are often told that government regulations are necessary to protect consumers from unscrupulous businesses: The only thing worse than regulations is the absence of them. Without government regulation, how can you know if food, water, medicine, everything you use in...
Jimmy Carter wants his Christian ideology to be imposed on everyone, across the board. I oppose the religious right. But how is the religious left any better, or any different? Both support tyranny.
While the United States continues to weaken its patent laws, Singapore is taking a different path. Singapore has just announced that it is developing a plan to be an Intellectual Property Hub, according to Channelnewsasia.com. They believe that intellectual property...
The bill H.R. 3059, titled the “Promoting Automotive Repair, Trade, and Sales” (PARTS) Act claims to reduce the cost of automotive repairs by limiting design patents for automotive parts to 30 months. This bill pits automobile manufacturers against insurance...
To regulate speech is to regulate thought.
This recent “debate” over abortion and government regulations shows the insanity of both the “left” and the “right” in today’s society. The left consists of people who insist that a right to abortion includes the right to have...
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