From whence comes invention?   March 30, 2004

Good historical and future views, but neglects the present   December 24, 2003

Unfortunately, he doesn't talk much about what kinds of innovation DO happen in the current model (in the large), and how it contrasts with the kinds of innovation that happen in the other model (in the small) that he wants to try to enforce. The implication is that it's as little as possible while maintaining status quo, but that seems hard to believe. Maybe I'm just overly optimistic.


vitally important and well-told!   December 22, 2003
  1 out of 3 found this review helpful

Lessig explains himself well in this book, and one can sense his presence as he argues a case in the Supreme Court, or explains a subtle point to a classroom, at Harvard previously but now Stanford. He breaks important new ground in this highly readable effort, crucial to anybody who uses their brain and verve to come up with new ideas in business, academia or the arts. Most of us have noticed that the Internet has shifted our paradigm, but few have recognized that the "commons" it has created is subject to threat. Furthermore, the Internet paradigm has not infused other aspects of our connected world, such as content, broadband ( cable especially), radio spectrum or even software. Lessig cites the concentration of corporate powers, working in lockstep with governmental counterparts, as the threat in these arenas, and of course, the Internet itself. Lessig successfully takes on a huge landscape of ideas, and paries his way with drama and flourish to a question of vital importance, while furnishing compelling outlines of answers. We finish the book mulling the full answers and next steps. Lessig's book is essential to artists, scientists, technologists, business people, lawyers and philosophers.


you'll be amazed at the law and inspired to change it   September 19, 2003
  2 out of 3 found this review helpful

I found this book so compelling and thoughtfull, that I'm purchasing a dozen more copies to give out at Christmas. The ideas and vision that Mr. Lessig has will compel you to strongly re-thing your laize-fair stance on copyright laws.

Mr. Lessig clearly lays out the history of what is behind patent law and copyright law and illustrates some very remarkable instances where the old corporations have used it to ensure that new ideas and new innovations are stifled and cut off. We are copyrighting our culture, and soon you will no longer be able to even sneeze without referencing the original author (even if the copyright holder is dead!) I truly wish that Lessig was wrong about his vision of the future, but I fear he is right.


A very important book   August 7, 2003
  1 out of 1 found this review helpful

The Future of Ideas is one of the most important books on Internet development and the fate of the commons. Lessig's predictions for the future of Internet are indeed scaring and it is important that there is a debate on in what direction(s) we want the Internet to develop. Lessig's user perspective of the problems regarding the commons of the Net makes this book stand out from other books on the same topic. Lessig's opinions are always underpinned by huge amounts of empirical data. This book deserves to be read and discussed by all those who are interested in Internet development in a broad sense.