Stephen Downes

Joseph Esposito writes, "it simply is not in the interests of major research institutions to support the liberalization of IP policies when they are themselves the biggest creators of such IP in the world." When the interests of the universities clash against the needs of wider society, who should win? And if he answer is "not society," then we must ask the follow-up question: should society continue to fund these institutions? Clamping down on IP may address a university's short term needs, but will cause it significant harm in the long run, in my view. This post argues, "most other institutions, not to mention corporations and some governmental agencies, both domestically and abroad, are free riders." But universities themselves are the ultimate free riders.