The Americans for Tax Reform has undertaken a particularly challenging exercise in cat-herding: It is putting together a coalition called the Property Rights Alliance, designed to bring together supporters of all kinds of property rights, both physical and intellectual.

For fans of the old TV series, Scott LaGanga of ATR is cast as the Rowdy Yates of the outfit. Interested parties can contact him here.

In my never-humble opinion, it is long past time for all those who depend on property rights, whether tangible or intangible, to recognize the community of interest.

I am also able to say "I told you so," having predicted almost a decade ago that federal and state governments, once addicted to appropriating physical property, would move on to IP without a pause for breath. It was recently pointed out to me that a strong family resemblance exists between the casual appropriation of Susette Kelo's house by the city of New London and the willingness to appropriate IP by redefining Fair Use that is exhibited by H.R. 1201.

Obviously, important differences exist between plain old physical property (POPP) and intellectual property (IP). These need to be analyzed and taken into account in developing legal rules.

But the core values are constant, and all parties need to defend the principles involved. So, as Rowdy would say, "Keep them doggies movin'."

posted by James DeLong @ 10:22 AM |

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