2003 Lawrence R. Klein Lecture The Case Against Intellectual Monopoly*
质疑垄断对创新的必要性,认为知识产权可能阻碍而非促进创新与增长,对经济学和政策研究者有参考价值。
In the modern theory of growth, monopoly plays a crucial role both as a cause and an effect of innovation. Innovative firms, it is argued, would have insufficient incentive to innovate should the prospect of monopoly power not be present. This theme of monopoly runs throughout the theory of growth, international trade, and industrial organization. We argue that monopoly is neither needed for, nor a necessary consequence of innovation. In particular, intellectual property is not necessary for, and may hurt more than help, innovation and growth. We argue that, as a practical matter, it is more likely to hurt.