Kinsella On Liberty

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 473. https://youtu.be/soyywXASOh4?si=pHKdf6awiCXOqXGV From The White Pillbox, Stephan Kinsella's Universal Principles of Liberty. This is my discussion with Mark Maresca, of The White Pillbox, about The Universal Principles of Liberty. (Previous episode: Kinsella as “White Pill”: Maresca, “From the White-PillBox: Part 29. Achilles Heel edition 3”.) Mark's shownotes: Recently Stephan published an exciting document, the Universal Principles of Liberty: https://stephankinsella.com/principles/ Stephan provides some background that led to the Principles, historical context, use cases, and so much more. As always, Stephan demonstrates why he is a true human White Pill. He even challenged me to White Pill him, on my reasoning behind why true free societies may be coming sooner than we think. Some of his key publications: International Investment, Political Risk, and Dispute Resolution (Oxford, 2020): http://www.kinsellalaw.com/iipr/ Against Intellectual Property (Mises Institute, 2001): http://c4sif.org/aip/ Legal Foundations of a Free Society (Papinian Press, 2023): https://stephankinsella.com/lffs/ Links to other topics we covered in this episode... The Law, by Frederic Bastiat: https://store.mises.org/The-Law-P408.... For a New Liberty, by Murray N. Rothbard: https://store.mises.org/For-a-New-Lib... Human Action, by Ludwig von Mises: https://store.mises.org/Human-Action-... The Remnant, from Isaiah's Job, by Albert J. Nock: https://mises.org/mises-daily/isaiahs... The Property and Freedom Society: https://propertyandfreedom.org/ Grok shownotes and transcript below. Grok Shownotes Overview of the Discussion The episode of the White Pillbox features host Mark Maresca interviewing Stephan Kinsella, a prominent intellectual property attorney and libertarian writer from Houston. Recorded on September 06, 2025, the conversation delves into Kinsella's latest work, the "Universal Principles of Liberty," a document aimed at articulating a coherent framework for libertarian principles. This discussion provides listeners with an insightful exploration of libertarian thought, emphasizing practical applications and philosophical underpinnings in the context of transitioning to a freer society. Background on Universal Principles of Liberty Kinsella explains the genesis of the "Universal Principles of Liberty," highlighting his involvement in various libertarian projects, including attempts to draft constitutions for new nations like Liberland. He critiques the traditional concept of constitutions as state-authorizing documents, advocating instead for a statement of principles that avoids legitimizing governmental authority. The project evolved from his earlier work, such as the "Fundamental Principles of Justice," and was collaboratively refined with contributions from attorneys Pat Tinsley, Aleandro Fusillo, David Durr, and oversight from Hans-Hermann Hoppe, reflecting a broad consensus on core libertarian values. Core Libertarian Principles The core of the "Universal Principles of Liberty" rests on four key principles: self-ownership, original appropriation (homesteading), contract, and rectification. Kinsella argues these principles, derived from Roman and English common law, offer a decentralized, organic approach to law that contrasts with statutory legislation. He emphasizes that libertarianism, as a consistent application of these private law principles, rejects state-imposed exceptions like taxation or sovereign immunity, providing a foundation for a free society that can adapt through judicial interpretation rather than legislative fiat. Practical Applications and Flexibility Kinsella discusses the document's practical use as a "guard rail" for free territories or communities, such as Liberland or Prospera in Honduras, where it could guide development and judicial decisions without mandating a top-down structure. The principles are designed to be flexible,

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 470. From my appearance on the Ayn Rand Fan Club with Scott Schiff and William. Their Shownotes: Patent attorney, Libertarian & Ayn Rand fan Stephan Kinsella joins William & Scott to talk about his history in the liberty world and his unique view that property rights should only pertain to physical things, and not to intellectual property. They also talk about Elon Musk opening his patents and the effects of IP law on AI. https://youtu.be/ax-QhyTGxw0?si=MyuQF4TfdeJQpQND Related: Classical Liberals, Libertarians, Anarchists and Others on Intellectual Property “The Death Throes of Pro-IP Libertarianism” (Mises Daily 2010) Yet another Randian recants on IP An Objectivist Recants on IP Pro-IP “Anarchists” and anti-IP Patent Attorneys Patent Lawyers Who Oppose Patent Law “The Four Historical Phases of IP Abolitionism” “The Origins of Libertarian IP Abolitionism” The Problem with Intellectual Property A Selection of my Best Articles and Speeches on IP Grok shownotes: Episode Overview In this episode of the Ayn Rand Fan Club, hosts Scott Schiff and William Swig engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Stephan Kinsella, a retired patent attorney, author, and libertarian thinker with a deep background in Ayn Rand’s Objectivism. The conversation delves into Kinsella’s journey from Objectivism to anarcho-capitalism, his critical stance on intellectual property (IP), and his broader views on libertarian principles. Recorded on August 18, 2025, the episode explores the philosophical and practical implications of IP laws, their impact on innovation, and their compatibility with property rights, while also touching on contemporary libertarian movements. Stephan Kinsella’s Background and Philosophical Evolution Kinsella shares his personal journey, starting with his introduction to Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead in high school, which sparked his interest in Objectivism. Initially a “hardcore Objectivist” for eight years, he later gravitated toward Austrian economics and anarcho-capitalism, influenced by thinkers like Ludwig von Mises and Murray Rothbard. As a patent attorney in Houston, Texas, Kinsella began questioning the validity of IP laws in the early 1990s, finding existing justifications—whether utilitarian or Objectivist—unsatisfactory. His career as a patent lawyer, paradoxically, coincided with his growing opposition to the patent and copyright system, which he argues violates fundamental property rights. Critique of Intellectual Property Kinsella’s primary critique of IP centers on its violation of tangible property rights. He argues that patents and copyrights impose non-consensual restrictions, or “negative servitudes,” on how individuals can use their own property, such as a printing press or factory. Drawing from libertarian principles, he contends that property rights should stem from homesteading or contract, not state-granted monopolies. Kinsella rejects both utilitarian arguments (e.g., IP promotes innovation) and natural rights arguments (e.g., creators inherently own their ideas), asserting that there’s no empirical evidence for underproduction of creative works without IP and that the concept of owning labor or ideas is flawed, rooted in a misinterpretation of John Locke’s labor theory. Trademark, Defamation, and Reputation Rights The discussion extends to trademark and defamation laws, which Kinsella also opposes. He explains that trademark law, originally intended to prevent consumer fraud, has evolved into a “reputation right” that protects brands like Rolex or Chanel from dilution, even absent deception. He argues that fraud laws already suffice to address deceptive practices, rendering trademark law unnecessary. Similarly, Kinsella rejects defamation laws, asserting there’s no property right in one’s reputation, as it’s merely others’ opinions. He distinguishes incitement to violence as a separate issue,

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 469. Related: Tabarrok and Murphy: Why Are US Drug Prices So High? Pharmaceutical Shills and Think Tank Corruption: Sally Pipes’s The World’s Medicine Chest: How America Achieved Pharmaceutical Supremacy―and How to Keep It This is my appearance on Adam Haman’s podcast and Youtube channel, Haman Nature (Haman Nature substack), episode HN 149, “Free The DRUGS! Stephan KINSELLA Counters Economist Alex TABARROK On Price Controls | Hn 149” (recorded June 25,  2025). Tabarrok seems to be generally pro-free market and an Austrian or fellow traveler. However, although he sometimes criticizes existing IP law, he is not opposed to intellectual property (IP), unlike all the cool Austro-libertarians. (( The Death Throes of Pro-IP Libertarianism. )) And he often proposes changes to IP law—sometimes outrageously goofy ones, such as his truly insane idea of replacing the patent system with $3.5 trillion worth of taxpayer subsidies (if you take his logic for a taxpayer funded "medical innovation price fund" to its limit apply it to all forms of patented innovation and other forms of IP like copyright) (( $30 Billion Taxfunded Innovation Contracts: The “Progressive-Libertarian” Solution; Libertarian Favors $80 Billion Annual Tax-Funded “Medical Innovation Prize Fund; What's Worse: $80 Billion or $30 Million?. )) or based on simplistic assertions or confusions like the idea that we can empirically know that we are on the "wrong side" of the optimal patent term length on his ridiculous "Tabarrok Curve." (( Tabarrok: Patent Policy on the Back of a Napkin; The Overwhelming Empirical Case Against Patent and Copyright; Optimal Patent and Copyright Term Length. )) So even though he's not against IP and thus not a very good libertarian, and he's not a Misesian since he seems to think utility is cardinal, measurable, and knowable, (( "The Problem with Intellectual Property" (2025), Part III.B.2. )) and he’s not an IP law expert either, he keeps trotting out proposals to “reform” IP, such as, I guess, banning free trade or urging that the US engage in IP imperialism to twist the arms of other countries like Australia (see below) to adopt the stronger US patent protections that Tabarrok seems to want to reform. (( See various posts on US style IP Imperialism. )) Read more at Tabarrok and Murphy: Why Are US Drug Prices So High? ... Shownotes, links, grok summary, and transcript below. https://youtu.be/gNRsjF3UXT4?si=2T9-4aE3cMPRoMD1 GROK SUMMARY: In the Haman Nature episode featuring patent attorney and libertarian legal theorist Stephan Kinsella, hosted by Adam Haman, the discussion centers on the high cost of prescription drugs in the United States and the misconceptions surrounding proposed solutions, including critiques of arguments made by economist Alex Tabarrok. Kinsella challenges the notion that former President Trump’s executive order would effectively lower drug prices, arguing that the issue stems from a complex interplay of government regulations, subsidies, and intellectual property (IP) laws, particularly pharmaceutical patents. He disputes the idea that other countries "free ride" on a supposed U.S. "free market" system, emphasizing that the U.S. pharmaceutical industry is far from a free market due to patent-driven monopolies that inflate prices and restrict competition. Kinsella’s critique, informed by his extensive work on IP (e.g., his discussions in the Kinsella on Liberty Podcast, Episode 469, and articles on c4sif.org), highlights how these monopolies distort market dynamics and prevent natural price equalization through arbitrage across borders. The conversation also addresses Tabarrok’s arguments, as discussed in his interview with Bob Murphy, particularly the concept of the "Tabarrok Curve," which posits an optimal level of IP protection to maximize innovation. Kinsella rejects this, asserting that pharmaceutical patents are not the definitive case for IP nece...

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 467. I was asked one Juani (@witheredsummer), an Argentinian Voluntarist, on Twitter and then later via email, to review his draft article "Ideas Are Free: A Case Against Intellectual Property" (text below) (I note that perhaps ironically, this title is almost identical to one of my own previous publications/speeches, Ideas are Free: The Case Against Intellectual Property: or, How Libertarians Went Wrong). I told him it was too long for me to fisk, got Grok to analyze it (see below), and told him to read up on some of my work and review the analysis, so that we could have a more productive conversation about it, and which I could also at least record for my podcast. This is our discussion. In the end, he didn't really have many questions and I think he just wanted to vent about how bad IP is and express frustration at out outrageous and harmful it is. And suggest some ways to get through to people and propose reforms. Things I already knew and have been writing about for 30 years. He basically identifies many problems with and absurdities with IP law ... which he's right about and which I've mentioned ... and comes up with some proposals for IP reform that would reduce its harm. Again, which he's right about and which I and others have also proposed, but also which are unlikely to be adopted by those infested with the IP mind-virus. Not really sure what the point of this was, but here it is FWIW. https://youtu.be/AS-8mFZGfnI GROK SHOWNOTES: [0:00-15:00] In this episode of the Stephan Kinsella podcast (KOL467), host Stephan Kinsella engages with Juani from Argentina to discuss intellectual property (IP) and its implications, particularly in the context of artificial intelligence (AI). Juani, a programmer and self-described libertarian, shares his consequentialist critique of IP, influenced by Kinsella’s work and his own essay, "Ideas for Free: A Case Against Intellectual Property." The conversation begins with Juani outlining his concerns about IP’s practical harms, such as its impact on innovation and culture, and transitions into a discussion about AI. They explore how AI’s reliance on vast datasets, often containing copyrighted material, raises legal questions about copying, authorship, and derivative works. Kinsella highlights the tension between copyright law and AI development, noting that current laws could stifle AI’s potential by limiting data access or imposing costly licensing requirements. [15:01-1:37:33] The discussion deepens into specific examples of IP’s negative effects, including cultural erasure through Disney’s sanitized retellings of historical figures like Pocahontas and Mulan, and the economic burdens of pharmaceutical patents, which restrict access to life-saving drugs in poorer nations. Juani argues that IP acts as a form of censorship and reinforces wealth disparities, citing cases like patent trolling and the high cost of educational materials in developing countries. Kinsella agrees, emphasizing that IP distorts markets and innovation, and suggests that copyright’s harm to AI development may rival its threat to internet freedom. Toward the end, Juani proposes a reform to replace IP exclusivity with a decaying royalty system, which Kinsella views skeptically, arguing that entrenched IP proponents will resist any reduction in rights. The episode concludes with reflections on piracy, the success of platforms like Steam, and the cultural shift toward viewing copying as less harmful, signaling a potential change in public perception of IP.   Youtube Transcript and detailed Grok shownotes below. Related: KOL466 | On IP Reform and Improving IP law FDA and Patent Reform: A Modest Proposal “Absurd Arguments for IP” “The Patent, Copyright, Trademark, and Trade Secret Horror Files” Boldrin & Levine on Covid-19, Vaccines, the Pharmaceutical Industry, and Patents Patents and Pharmaceuticals

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 466. https://youtu.be/JAwxQTrPDII Re .@NSKinsella has proposed a number of patent reforms if we decide as a society not to abolish the patent system. This is, in my view, a more plausible way forward (politically) instead of demanding the abolition of patents.https://t.co/q3a0U2HQJ6 In this annotated extract, I… https://t.co/Jm36N2kjxa pic.twitter.com/Fs1caiVven — Sanjeev Sabhlok (@sabhlok) June 4, 2025 Sabhlok's markup of my proposals: See How to Improve Patent, Copyright, and Trademark Law and “Reducing the Cost of IP Law,” Mises Daily (2010). See also Tabarrok’s Launching the Innovation Renaissance: Statism, not renaissance How to Improve Patent, Copyright, and Trademark Law by Stephan Kinsella on February 1, 2011 [From my Webnote series] This is included as ch. 41 of Stephan Kinsella, ed., The Anti-IP Reader: Free Market Critiques of Intellectual Property (Papinian Press, 2023). See also proposals for reform in “Reducing the Cost of IP Law”; also Do Business Without Intellectual Property (Liberty.me, 2014); KOL164 | Obama’s Patent Reform: Improvement or Continuing Calamity?: Mises Academy (2011). And FDA and Patent Reform: A Modest Proposal *** From my Mises blog post a year ago: How to Improve Patent, Copyright, and Trademark Law Archived comments (below) January 13, 2010 by Stephan Kinsella As I note in my article “Radical Patent Reform Is Not on the Way,” Mises Daily (Oct. 1, 2009), there is a growing clamor for reform of patent (and copyright) law, due to the increasingly obvious injustices resulting from these intellectual property (IP) laws. However, the various recent proposals for reform merely tinker with details and leave the essential features of the patent system intact. Patent scope, terms, and penalties would still be essentially the same. In the second article of this two-part series, “Reducing the Cost of IP Law,” Mises Daily, published today, I propose various reforms to the existing patent system–short of abolition–that would significantly reduce the costs and harm imposed by the patent system while not appreciably, or as significantly, reducing the innovation incentives and other purported benefits of the patent system. I list these changes below in generally descending order of importance, without elaboration, as they are discussed further in “Reducing the Cost of IP Law”: Patent Law Reduce the Patent Term Remove Patent Injunctions/Provide Compulsory Royalties Add a Royalty Cap/Safe Harbor Reduce the Scope of Patentable Subject Matter Provide for Prior-Use and Independent-Inventor Defenses Instantly Publish All Patent Applications Eliminate Enhanced Damages Add a Working/Reduction to Practice Requirement1 Provide for Advisory Opinion Panels Losing Patentee Pays Expand Right to Seek Declaratory Judgments Exclude IP from Trade Negotiations [update: add a fair-use defense2 reinvogorate the reverse doctrine of equivalents defense ] Other Changes Increase the threshold for obtaining a patent Increase patent filing fees to make it more difficult to obtain a patent Make it easier to challenge a patent’s validity at all stages Require patent applicants to specify exactly what part of their claimed invention is new and what part is “old” (e.g., by the use of European-style “characterized in that “claims) Require patent applicants to do a search and provide an analysis showing why their claimed invention is new and nonobvious (patent attorneys really hate this one) Limit the number of claims Limit the number of continuation applications Remove the presumption of validity that issued patents enjoy—e.g. a utility model or “petty patent” system, in which patent applications are examined only minimally and receive narrower protection; this type of IP right is already available in some countries) (( Reducing the Cost of IP Law; Tabarrok’s Launching ...

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 465. On stupid and confused "thickism" see various posts under tag thickism, and Cory Massimino, "Libertarianism is More than Anti-Statism," C4SS (April 8th, 2014). GROK SHOWNOTES: [0:00–9:16] In this engaging episode of the Kinsella on Liberty podcast, Stephan Kinsella and Sheldon Richman tackle the contentious issue of pharmaceutical price controls under Trump’s executive order, questioning their equivalence to traditional price controls that distort markets. Kinsella, drawing on his extensive critique of intellectual property (Patents and Pharmaceuticals, 2023; Patents, Pharma, Government: The Unholy Alliance, 2024), argues that patents create artificial monopolies, so price controls countering these are not standard interventions but responses to government-granted privileges. Richman highlights FDA-imposed costs, which patents partially offset, though Kinsella counters that these costs are overstated, citing lower drug prices abroad (Drug Reimportation, 2009). They endorse reimportation as a market-based solution, referencing Connor O’Keefe’s analysis (Mises: How Trump Can Lower Drug Prices Without Price Controls, 2025), but criticize Trump’s coercive tactics as resembling a protection racket (Trump’s Worst Idea: Pharmaceuticals, 2025) (0:02–6:00). The discussion also critiques antitrust laws and secondary regulations, with Richman warning against Kevin Carson’s approach of layering controls atop privileges (Kevin Carson on Confiscating Property from the Rich, 2016) (6:00–9:16). [9:16–1:13:35] The conversation shifts to a robust defense of the corporate form, addressing left-libertarian criticisms of limited liability and shareholder responsibility. Kinsella, aligning with Robert Hessen’s contractual view and his own writings (Corporate Personhood, Limited Liability, and Double Taxation, 2011; Left-Libertarians, Corporations, Expropriating Stakeholders, 2008), argues that limited liability is not a privilege but a logical outcome of action-based responsibility, where shareholders are not liable unless causally responsible for torts (Van Dun on Freedom versus Property and Hostile Encirclement, 2009). Richman decries the pejorative use of “corporate” by figures like Roderick Long, rejecting claims that corporations inherently rely on state favoritism (Comment on Left-Libertarianism on Roderick Long’s Sub-Ex Dep Post, 2009) (9:16–36:01). They explore thick libertarianism, agreeing that individualism connects to broader values but remains distinct, and critique Walter Block’s evictionism on abortion, with Kinsella arguing fetuses are not trespassers due to maternal actions (Together Strong Debate with Walter Block, 2022) (36:01–1:13:35). A lighthearted discussion on pipe tobacco reflects their commitment to personal liberty, underscoring their broader libertarian principles (Wombatrons: Why I Am a Left-Libertarian, 2009). https://youtu.be/5YaTsoDH9Eg Grok detailed shownotes: Detailed Segment Summary for Show Notes Segment 1: Price Controls, Patents, and Reimportation (0:02–9:16) Description and Summary: Kinsella andMemphis-based Robert Hessen and Sheldon Richman discuss Trump’s pharmaceutical price control executive order, questioning its implications. Kinsella, per his writings (Patents and Pharmaceuticals, 2023; Patents, Pharma, Government: The Unholy Alliance, 2024), argues that patents create monopoly prices, so price controls countering these aren’t standard market distortions, as patents themselves are government-granted (IP vs. Antitrust, 2005). Richman notes FDA costs inflate drug prices, but Kinsella cites lower prices abroad to argue these costs are overstated (Drug Reimportation, 2009) (0:02–2:28). They advocate reimportation, citing Connor O’Keefe’s market-based approach (Mises: How Trump Can Lower Drug Prices Without Price Controls, 2025), and criticize Trump’s coercive tactics as a protection racket (Trump’s Worst Idea: Pharmaceuticals,

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 464. I appeared on the new show Tyrant's Den a few days ago. It was released today (May 2, 2025) along with the other initial episodes. Chat GPT shownotes: In this engaging episode of The Tyrants' Den, host and guest delve into a wide-ranging discussion with Stephan Kinsella, a leading libertarian legal theorist and retired patent attorney. The conversation begins [0:01–7:20] with Kinsella’s background in patent law, where he candidly reflects on his anti-IP stance even while working within the IP system. He outlines how his libertarian beliefs shaped his legal career, how he avoided ethically troubling work like aggressive patent litigation, and how he transitioned to full-time libertarian scholarship, including his influential work on intellectual property and legal theory. As the episode unfolds [7:20–59:45], Kinsella explores the philosophical foundations of law from Roman and common law to natural law, and discusses international law, war crimes, and higher-law principles that transcend statutory frameworks. He articulates his estoppel theory of rights, critiques legal positivism, and examines proportionality in justice. Later segments address libertarian perspectives on immigration policy, property rights, and the influence of Kant on modern libertarian thinkers like Hans-Hermann Hoppe. Kinsella closes by recommending his book Legal Foundations of a Free Society [59:00–59:45], which compiles decades of his work on law, rights, and liberty. Grow shownotes: [00:00–15:00] In this episode of the Tyrants Den podcast, recorded on February 24, 2025, host Tyrell (The Liberty Tyrant) interviews Stephan Kinsella, a prominent libertarian thinker and retired patent attorney, to discuss law, rights, and Hans-Hermann Hoppe’s contributions to libertarian theory. Kinsella shares his unique perspective as an anti-intellectual property (IP) patent attorney, explaining how he practiced patent law for 30 years while advocating for the abolition of IP, viewing his role as akin to providing defensive tools for clients. He introduces Hoppe’s argumentation ethics, which defends libertarian norms like self-ownership and the non-aggression principle by arguing that denying them creates a performative contradiction in discourse. [15:01–59:45] The conversation explores Hoppe’s critique of the state as an aggressor and his vision for private, decentralized legal systems grounded in property rights. Kinsella discusses natural law, common law, and civil law, drawing on his experience in Louisiana’s civil law system and his international law studies. He explains his estoppel theory of rights, inspired by Hoppe and common law, which posits that aggressors cannot object to defensive force due to their prior actions, provided responses are proportional. The episode concludes with a discussion on immigration, where Kinsella proposes an invitation-based system to balance liberty and cultural concerns, and a plug for his book, Legal Foundations of a Free Society. Transcript and detailed shownotes below. https://youtu.be/B00FziQs3BU?si=-VENJyK6ylvdB_XH   ChatGPT Detailed Shownotes Detailed Summary with Time-Stamped Segments (Shownotes Body) [0:01–7:20] | Kinsella's Legal Career and Anti-IP Perspective Kinsella introduces his background as a patent attorney and libertarian. He explains how, despite opposing intellectual property, he practiced IP law ethically by avoiding aggressive enforcement work. Notes how libertarian theory shaped both his legal and writing careers. [7:20–11:20] | Foundations of Legal Systems: Roman vs. Common Law Discusses the difference between civil (Roman-based) and common law traditions. Explains Louisiana’s unique civil law system and its impact on his legal education. Outlines historical influences on modern legal systems, including international and merchant law.

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 463. Update: See also KOL338 | Human Action Podcast Ep. 308 with Jeff Deist: Rothbard on Punishment, Property, and Contract and this Grok analysis of various problems with smart contracts including the fact that most loans are unsecured. A followup discussion with André Simoni of Brazil about some questions he had about applying my/Rothbard’s title-transfer. See also KOL457 | Sheldon Richman & IP; Andre from Brazil re Contract Theory, Student Loan Interest Payments, Bankruptcy, Vagueness, Usury. Grok Shownotes: 0:00–29:42] In this episode of the Kinsella on Liberty podcast (KOL463), Stephan Kinsella engages in a follow-up discussion with André Simoni from Brazil, building on their prior conversation with Sheldon Richman (KOL457). The dialogue begins with André revisiting his concerns about usury, fractional-reserve banking, and the nature of loan contracts, proposing a libertarian limit on interest rates to prevent exploitative lending practices that could lead to effective enslavement. He argues that modern financial systems, including fractional-reserve banking and fiat currency, are interconnected mechanisms designed to promote unsustainable economic activity, drawing insights from Doug French’s book Walk Away. Kinsella challenges André’s framing, particularly his view of loan contracts as bilateral exchanges, asserting instead that they are unilateral title transfers under Rothbard’s title-transfer theory of contract. The discussion delves into the impracticality of “smart contracts” and escrow-based performance bonds, highlighting the inherent uncertainties in contractual damages and future obligations. [29:43–1:39:34] The conversation shifts to a deeper exploration of risk, inalienability, and the moral hazards embedded in modern banking systems. André connects usury and fractional-reserve banking, arguing that banks exploit depositors and borrowers by offloading risk while profiting as intermediaries, creating a system akin to a Ponzi scheme propped up by state interventions like deposit insurance. Kinsella agrees that the current system is corrupt but emphasizes that in a free market with full disclosure, such practices would be unsustainable due to economic realities and the inability to insure against systemic risks. They discuss the legitimacy of loan contracts, with André expressing concern about contracts that shift excessive risk to borrowers, potentially violating inalienability principles. The episode concludes with a discussion on corporations and limited liability, with André suggesting that corporate structures exacerbate risk-shifting, while Kinsella defends the contractual basis of corporations, referencing his prior discussions with Jeff Barr (KOL414, KOL418). Links to further resources and a promise to continue the dialogue are provided.   Youtube Transcript and Detailed Grok Summary below. https://youtu.be/8AfTdeiDJD0 Links: Mercadente, The Illiberal Nature of Limited Liability: A Libertarian Critique Recent Grok conversation Libertarian Answer Man: Legal Entities and Corporations in a Free Society (Feb. 29, 2024) Libertarian Answer Man: Corporations, Trusts, HOAs, and Private Law Codes in a Private Law Society (Nov. 11, 2023) KOL414 | Corporations, Limited Liability, and the Title Transfer Theory of Contract, with Jeff Barr: Part I KOL418 | Corporations, Limited Liability, and the Title Transfer Theory of Contract, with Jeff Barr: Part II On Coinbase, Bitcoin, Fractional-Reserve Banking, and Irregular Deposits UK Proposal for Banking Reform: Fractional-Reserve Banking versus Deposits and Loans Musings on Fractional-Reserve Banking in a Bitcoin Age; Physicalist Shock Absorber Metaphors The Great Fractional Reserve/Freebanking Debate Jesús Huerta de Soto, Money, Bank Credit, and Economic Cycles Stephan Kinsella, “The Title-Transfer Theory of Contract,” Papinian Press Working Paper #1 (Sep. 7, 2024)

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 462. I previously appeared on Joshua Smith's Break the Cycle, in July 2021 (KOL349 | CouchStreams Ep 58 on Break the Cycle with Joshua Smith). I had forgotten but we also did a short "CouchStreams After Hours" segment for subscribers which was, and still is, behind a paywall. We discussed various things—my scooter ride with Antony Sammeroff in Austin and travels with Sammeroff the previous months (see KOL330 | Lift Talks #2 With Kinsella & Sammeroff and KOL329 | Lift Talks #1 With Kinsella & Sammeroff), skiing accidents while skiing with Sammeroff, my joining the Libertarian Party, the Mises Caucus, loser brigade libertarians and the Hoppe photo with Michael Malice's helicopter gift (see below), when I was offered a job at Cato, when I was Disinvited From Cato, and so on. I had forgotten about this but stumbled across the file on my computer looking for something else, so decided to upload and podcast it. It's been long enough. Youtube transcript and Grok shownotes below. https://youtu.be/9IHdN-_arsg Paywalled version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW4qMNDBOtE   Facebook post about the helicopter. See also KOL244 | "YOUR WELCOME" with Michael Malice Ep. 001: Intellectual Property, Prostate Cancer Even my buddy Tucker didn't like it! (we've made up, no worries)   If you think political violence is hilarious, and post pics with plastic helicopters to show it, you might examine your conscience. — Jeffrey A Tucker (@jeffreyatucker) October 8, 2017 Hoppe Helicopter Controversy of 2017 - Stephan Kinsella responds: https://youtu.be/rqipQNFSOEQ?si=skq0FFFwt5xSwhry&t=1 Grok Summary Show Notes Summary Video: "Break The Cycle w/ Joshua Smith" (https://youtu.be/9IHdN-_arsg) Podcast Episode: "KOL462 | Couchstreams After Hours: Break The Cycle with Joshua Smith" (https://stephankinsella.com/as_paf_podcast/kol462-couchstreams-after-hours-break-cycle-joshua-smith/) Introduction and Libertarian Messaging (0:16 - 0:35) Discussion on using popular culture and trolling to spread libertarian ideas, emphasizing the goal of abolishing restrictive systems and breaking the cycle of statism. Scooter Adventures with Samuroff (1:04 - 3:13) Stephan recounts his spontaneous travels with Samuroff, including scooter rides in various cities and skiing in Telluride, which led to multiple shoulder injuries, humorously reflecting on his balance issues. Lift Talks and Skiing Experiences (3:29 - 4:49) Stephan and Samuroff recorded libertarian discussions on ski lifts in Colorado, dubbed "Lift Talks," published as podcasts; Joshua shares his snowboarding background and contrasts skiing experiences. Confronting the "Loser Brigade" and Hans-Hermann Hoppe (5:44 - 8:38) Stephan discusses a controversial photo with Hans-Hermann Hoppe holding a toy helicopter, sparking outrage among some libertarians; he dismisses virtue-signaling critics and defends his independence from think tanks. Mises Caucus and Libertarian Party Dynamics (9:42 - 18:36) Stephan and Joshua discuss their support for the Mises Caucus, aiming to steer the Libertarian Party toward radical, Rothbardian principles, and critique past candidates like Gary Johnson for lacking libertarian conviction. Cato Institute and Cancel Culture (19:34 - 21:12) Stephan shares a story of being disinvited from a Cato Institute IP debate, highlighting their reluctance to engage with Mises-aligned libertarians, and notes Cato's payment to reimburse his ticket as a form of preemptive cancellation. Closing and Contact Information (24:54 - 25:42) Stephan thanks Joshua for the interview, mentions joining his Patreon, and provides his website (stephankinsella.com) and social media handles (nskinsella) for further engagement. Transcript 0:16 much success turning people into 0:17

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 461. This is my appearance on Adam Haman’s podcast and Youtube channel, Haman Nature (Haman Nature substack), episode HN 119, “Stephan Kinsella Expounds on Philosophy And The Life Well Lived” (recorded Feb. 6, 2025—just before the Tom Woods cruise). We discussed philosophy and rights; my legal and libertarian careers (see Adopting Liberty: The Stephan Kinsella Story), and so on. Shownotes, links, grok summary, and transcript below. https://youtu.be/Ekg5slP8xAg?si=6fNlmaeR6V7OMVEW Adam’s Shownotes Brilliant patent attorney, philosopher, legal theorist and libertarian anarchist Stephan Kinsella comes back on the show to take Adam to task for not defending atheism with enough vigor! 00:00 — Intro. Adam and Stephan reminisce about the Tom Woods Cruise! Also: proof that Stephan has a wife. 02:30 — Stephan's intellectual history about the "God issue". 11:30 — What is "sound epistemology" on this subject? What are good arguments for or against the existence of God? How should we think about the arguments of Thomas Aquinas et al? 19:55 — What is a good definition of "atheist"? How about "agnostic"? Plus more epistemology applied to metaphysical claims such as the existence of God. Also, our nature as humans is that we must act in the world even though we lack certainty and our knowledge is contextual. 32:38 — Adam asks Stephan: how would you react if you met a god-like being? Or Jesus Himself? A discussion of intellectual humility ensues. How does knowledge relate to human action? How do we acquire knowledge in the first place? Does this relate to AI? 47:09 — Adam admits he really doesn't know how anything works. Vinyl records are magic! 53:15 — Outro. It is agreed that Adam and Stephan are "the good atheists". Links George Smith, Atheism: The Case Against God Barry Smith, In Defense of Extreme (Fallibilistic) Apriorism On Peter Janich, see Handwerk und Mundwerk: Über das Herstellen von Wissen, Protophysics of Time, What Is Information?, Euclid's Heritage: Is Space Three-Dimensional?; and references/discussion in Hoppe on Falsificationism, Empiricism, and Apriorism and Protophysics and Hoppe, My Discovery of Human Action and of Mises as a Philosopher Hoppe, Economic Science and the Austrian Method David Kelley, Foundations of Knowledge lectures ——, The Evidence of the Senses: A Realist Theory of Perception Ayn Rand, Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology Biographical: Alan D. Bergman, Adopting Liberty: The Stephan Kinsella Story (2025); various biographical pieces on my publications page From the messing-with-Adam section: Grok discussion of use of optical metrology to play an LP by taking a photograph with a smartphone (estimate: 2033) Grok answer to this prompt: Explain to Adam, who thinks this is all magic, how an LP records and plays sounds, what transducers are; and how modulation works, using some examples of carrier waves such as EM radio waves with both AM and FM, and laser light signals transmitted down fiber optic cables and using both analog modulation such as CATV signals and digital modulation such as for internet data; and how modems work. Grok answer to this prompt: Now explain to Adam what "holes" are, in electric current, compared to electrons, what the mass and nature of holes are, and why the convention is for electric current, and electrons, to have a negative symbol. Also explain why electrical engineers use i instead of j for the imaginary number sqrt(-2). Also take a stab at explaining what imaginary numbers really are and how they are useful for things like freguency, and how they are not really "imaginary," and what "complex" numbers are; and how if you imagine a 2D plane with real numbers on the horizontal axis and imaginary numbers on the vertical or Y axis, and how you can picture 1xi as a 90° move from 1 on the real or X axis up to i on the imaginary or Y axis,

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 460. I mean the title says it all. I kept getting interrupted by calls and deliveries. Oh well, what you gonna do. Links/Resourceshttps://youtu.be/rnDe920Ce40 China and IP "Theft" Lacalle on China and IP “Theft” All-In Podcast Concern over China and IP “Theft” More of the “China is Stealing Our IP” nonsense Tweet by Gordon Chang “To Steal a Book is an Elegant Offense”—Chinese saying Libertarian and IP Answer Man: Does China have “more fierce” competition because of weaker IP law? Hello! You’ve Been Referred Here Because You’re Wrong About Intellectual Property, the section “IP can’t be socialistic, since the Soviet Union didn’t recognize IP law” other posts under the tag China-IP-theft or IP Imperialism Update: Watching now. aaannnd it only took to 8 minutes in to mention China's "intellectual property theft". https://fedsoc.org/events/the-art-of-the-tariff-the-trump-administration-and-trade https://fedsoc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0QBJNVreRxGNoHAy0-rFoA#/registration Trump's Proclamation World Intellectual Property Day, 2025: Of course these geniuses just repeat the same nonsense about IP being "the same as" property and how infringing IP is "theft" of course they are insinuating China "steals American IP," all of which are confused bullshit lies and distortions. See The China Stealing IP Myth; The Structural Unity of Real and Intellectual Property; Copying, Patent Infringement, Copyright Infringement are not “Theft”, Stealing, Piracy, Plagiarism, Knocking Off, Ripping Off IP vs. Plagiarism KOL207 | Patent, Copyright, and Trademark Are Not About Plagiarism, Theft, Fraud, or Contract “Types of Intellectual Property” The Mountain of IP Legislation General Case Against IP Kinsella, Legal Foundations of a Free Society (Houston, Texas: Papinian Press, 2023), Part IV Against Intellectual Property You Can’t Own Ideas: Essays on Intellectual Property (Houston, Texas: Papinian Press, 2023) Kinsella, ed., The Anti-IP Reader: Free Market Critiques of Intellectual Property (Papinian Press, 2023); See my post “Intellectual Properganda.” [↩] Stop calling patent and copyright “property”; stop calling copying “theft” and “piracy” Related Videos/References Matt Walsh on IP: fisked in Musk and Dorsey: “delete all IP law”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQK21AW6hFQ&t=2033s China’s regime has signaled it will expropriate the intellectual property of foreign companies. It’s time for Prez Trump to protect American IP by using his authority to order U.S. companies to leave China. https://t.co/fa9qc1GNXc — Gordon G. Chang (@GordonGChang) March 30, 2025 “Let Him COOK!” 90-Day Tariffs Pause, Bill Maher’s Trump Dinner + UFC Ovation [Piers Morgan, Gordon Chang, Cenk Uygur] https://youtu.be/wOWAewTXiEI?si=ozXh2mIprUGodnCr China's U.S. Intellectual Property Theft | CPAC | Gordon Chang: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZLy2KaNBBg

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 459. In response to lots of froth on Twitter related to Jack Dorsey's call to "delete all IP law," which was echoed by Elon Musk (Musk and Dorsey: “delete all IP law”) I decided to attempt to host an impromptu Twitter Spaces about this. After overcoming some technical glitches, here is the result (and thanks to @Brunopbch, @NotGovernor (Patrick Smith), and @TrueAmPatriot86 for assists). I proposed to the space: "Fielding Questions About Abolishing Intellectual Property, about IP, and About Libertarian Property Rights", and that's basically what we ended up talking about. The Twitter spaces can be viewed here; I have clipped off the first 8 minutes or so of setup talk for this podcast episode. Grok summaries and shownotes and Youtube Transcript below. https://t.co/IHeVhPhlbs I'm going to do an impromptu Twitter space in an hour (2pm CST) to field any questions about the Libertarian Case Against Intellectual Property, in view of recent Twitter debates inspired by @jack Dorsey's and @elonmusk 's anti-IP comments,… — Stephan Kinsella (@NSKinsella) April 14, 2025 https://youtu.be/01FdFoB9QHY GROK HIGH LEVEL SUMMARY: Below is a concise summary of the video "Stephan Kinsella on Intellectual Property (IP)" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01FdFoB9QHY), divided into six parts, based on the provided transcript and informed by the linked post (https://c4sif.org/2025/04/musk-dorsey-delete-all-ip-law/). The video features Stephan Kinsella discussing the case for abolishing IP laws in a Twitter Spaces session. Summary in Six Parts 1. Introduction and Context (0:01–1:03) Kinsella opens the session, discussing technical setup and his recent online IP debates, sparked by figures like Elon Musk and Jack Dorsey, who advocate abolishing IP laws. 2. Addressing IP Objections (1:09–5:16) Kinsella invites questions and tackles a common concern: IP protects small creators from big corporations. He argues this is misguided, noting Musk and Dorsey’s history of non-aggressive patent use (e.g., Tesla, Twitter), and challenges the assumption that creators deserve government-enforced rights. 3. Misconceptions and Debate Challenges (5:23–12:28) He debunks myths equating copying to theft or plagiarism, criticizing IP as anti-competitive. Kinsella laments Twitter’s combative nature, where users avoid substantive dialogue, and shares his desire for recorded discussions to foster learning, citing past successes. 4. China and IP’s Economic Impact (12:34–15:22) Responding to a question, Kinsella argues China’s growth shows benefits of lax IP, as adopting Western technology isn’t theft but learning. He critiques U.S. politicians for using “IP theft” to justify tariffs and impose Western IP laws globally. 5. IP vs. Property Rights and Innovation (15:48–38:02) Kinsella disputes claims that IP is a natural right, explaining ownership comes from first use or contract, not creation. Using Bitcoin as an example, he emphasizes secrecy over legal enforcement. He argues IP reduces innovation by granting monopolies, slowing progress for patent holders and competitors alike. 6. Corporate Power and IP’s Decline (38:09–1:15:40) He asserts IP fuels corporate giants (e.g., pharmaceuticals, Microsoft), not small creators, inflating prices and harming consumers. Kinsella notes copyright’s decline due to piracy and predicts technology (e.g., 3D printing) may render patents obsolete. He concludes that abolishing IP requires embracing uncertainty for justice, despite public fear of change. This summary condenses the video’s key points into six sections, aligning with the principled and pragmatic arguments Kinsella makes, while reflecting Musk and Dorsey’s anti-IP stance from the linked post. Let me know if you need further refinement! GROK DETAILED SUMMARY: Below is a summary of the video "Stephan Kinsella on Intellectual Property (IP)" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01FdFoB9QHY),

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 458. The meat of this talk is only about 15 minutes, if you skip the first couple minutes of setup and the Q&A at the end. See also Self-Ownership, Natural Rights, Estoppel (CEES Guatemala 2025) GROK SHOWNOTES: In this episode of the Kinsella on Liberty Podcast (KOL458), recorded on April 7, 2025, at the APEE 49th Meeting in Guatemala City, libertarian patent attorney Stephan Kinsella delivers a 15-minute panel presentation titled “Patent and Copyright versus Innovation, Competition, and Property Rights,” arguing that intellectual property (IP) laws, particularly patents and copyrights, are state-enforced monopolies that violate property rights and hinder innovation (0:00-7:00). Drawing on his forthcoming book Copy This Book and article “The Problem with Intellectual Property,” Kinsella traces IP’s origins to mercantilist privileges, critiques its economic harms like monopoly pricing in pharmaceuticals, and dismisses natural rights and utilitarian arguments for IP as flawed or empirically unsupported, including defamation law as a form of IP (7:01-15:00). He advocates for IP’s complete abolition to foster a free market of ideas, emphasizing its conflict with free speech and competition (15:01-22:20). Kinsella engages with audience questions, addressing the feasibility of abolishing IP in the digital age, where technologies like 3D printing and encryption could bypass enforcement, and critiques IP’s distortion of AI development (22:21-27:01). He counters objections about justice for creators and corporate wealth creation, arguing that market mechanisms like reputation suffice and IP’s monopolies harm competition, reinforcing his libertarian stance (27:02-30:05). The Q&A, cut short due to time constraints, highlights tensions with pro-IP views, including natural rights arguments. Kinsella concludes by comparing his anti-IP stance to an oncologist fighting cancer, urging the audience to “make IP history” and directing them to c4sif.org for resources, delivering a concise yet provocative critique (30:06-30:05). This episode is a compelling addition to Kinsella’s anti-IP scholarship, ideal for exploring libertarian perspectives on IP. Youtube Transcript and Grok Detailed Summary below. As mentioned in Speaking at APEE IP Panel in Guatemala, today (April 6, 2025) I spoke on a panel at the APEE 49th Meeting in Guatemala. The theme of this year's meeting was “The Economic History of State and Market Institutions,” April 6-8, 2025, Guatemala City, Guatemala (program; other info). My panel was Panel 50. [1.E.06] “Intellectual Property: Old Problems and New Developments,” Monday, April 7, 2025, 3:50 pm-5:05 pm, Breakout06. Organizer: Monica Rio Nevado de Zelaya, Universidad Francisco Marroquín; Chair: Ramón Parellada, Universidad Francisco Marroquín. My full panel: Intellectual Property: A Randian Approach Warren Orbaugh, Universidad Francisco Marroquín Non-Traditional Trademarks Cristina Umaña, Universidad Francisco Marroquín Copyright versus Innovation in the Market for Recorded Music Julio Cole,Universidad Francisco Marroquín Patent and Copyright versus Innovation, Competition, and Property Rights N. Stephan Kinsella, Center for the Study of Innovative Freedom The immediately preceding panel was also on IP, which I attended: 36. [1.D.06] [General] Intellectual Property and Information Technology Monday | 2:30 pm-3:45 pm | 06. Cafetal II Organizer: Lawrence H. White, George Mason University Chair: Osmel Brito-Bigott, Datanalitica Technological Innovation and Service Business Models: Impacts on Private Property Institutions Osmel Brito-Bigott, Datanalitica; and Laura Marie Carrasco Vasquez, Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra Five Arguments for Intellectual Property Adam Moore, University of Washington Ideas Are Not Property: A Cross-Country Analysis of Institutions and Innovation Lucca Tanzillo Dos Santos,

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 457. I had been meaning to talk to my old friend Sheldon Richman, of the Libertarian Institute and TGIF column, about his own IP Odyssey, as he's always been great on this issue, (( My IP Odyssey; as quoted in “Your failed business model is not my problem”; Sheldon Richman, “Patent Nonsense," IP Debate Breaks Out at FEE. Others, e.g. Richman, The Articles of Confederation Versus the Constitution. )) and many others. At the same time I had been talking to André Simoni of Brazil about some questions he had about applying my/Rothbard's title-transfer contract theory to some questions he had about interest payments on student loans and other contracts, usury, and so on. I had thought of talking to André and Sheldon separately but decided to combine them, partly because I confused André's topic with a discussion I had also been having at the same time with Galambosian Brian Gladish about IP and Galambos. (( On Galambos, see the following. On Gladish, see the next note. Galambos and Other Nuts; The Galambosians strike back; “Around this time I met the Galambosian.”; Was Galambos an IP Thief?; Galambos the Crank; Shades of Galambos: Man tries to copyright his name; Rothbard and Galambosians. )) Libertopia, San Diego, Oct. 11, 2012: Anthony Gregory, Kinsella, Roderick Long, Sheldon Richman. See KOL238 | Libertopia 2012 IP Panel with Charles Johnson and Butler Shaffer; KOL237 | Intellectual Nonsense: Fallacious Arguments for IP—Part 2 (Libertopia 2012); KOL236 | Intellectual Nonsense: Fallacious Arguments for IP (Libertopia 2012) Sheldon and I talked first about IP and other topics, and then to André about contract theory, which Sheldon jumped in on anyway. (I may talk to Gladish later about Galambos and IP.) (( Gladish on Galambos at ASC; his comments at: Have You Changed Your Mind About Intellectual Property?; Galambos and Other Nuts; Mises on Intellectual Property; Why Objectivists Hate Anarchy (Hint: IP). )) We touched on a number of topics; see the summary of our discussion points by Grok: [00:00:02 - 00:20:44] Stephan Kinsella hosts Sheldon Richman, executive editor of the Libertarian Institute, to discuss Richman’s libertarian journey and his opposition to intellectual property (IP). Richman traces his ideological roots to the 1964 Goldwater campaign, Ayn Rand, and Murray Rothbard, emphasizing his rejection of IP as incompatible with liberty due to its monopolistic nature. He critiques the notion that creation alone justifies ownership, advocating for property rights based on prior ownership of tangible inputs. The conversation highlights Richman’s classical liberal stance, his defense of corporations as efficient market entities, and his nuanced view on libertarian labels, favoring a broad, non-tribal approach to radical liberalism. [00:20:45 - 01:33:05] The discussion shifts to Andre from Brazil, who joins to explore the title-transfer theory of contract, focusing on its application to student loans, interest payments, usury, and bankruptcy. Kinsella explains that contracts involve title transfers, not enforceable promises, and addresses Andre’s concerns about vague contract terms and usury laws, arguing they often protect entrenched interests. On bankruptcy, Kinsella notes his evolving view, influenced by inalienability concepts, suggesting that extreme debt obligations resembling slavery might justify limited bankruptcy protections in a free society, as discussed in his recent blog post. Richman contributes insights on contracts, reinforcing the need for clear title transfers, while the trio debates the moral and legal implications of debt and societal expectations in libertarian frameworks. Transcript and detailed Grok shownotes below. https://youtu.be/7vrIz8cv2Bw Of relevance: Stephan Kinsella, “The Title-Transfer Theory of Contract,” Papinian Press Working Paper #1 (Sep. 7, 2024) Napolitano on Health-Care Reform and the Constitution: Is the Commerce Cl...

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 456. [Update: see various biographical pieces on my publications page, including Alan D. Bergman, Adopting Liberty: The Stephan Kinsella Story (2025).] This is my appearance on Adam Haman’s podcast and Youtube channel, Haman Nature (Haman Nature substack), episode HN 109, "Stephan Kinsella Expounds on Philosophy And The Life Well Lived" (recorded Feb. 6, 2025—just before the Tom Woods cruise). We discussed philosophy and rights; my legal and libertarian careers (see Adopting Liberty: The Stephan Kinsella Story), and so on. Grok transcript and shownotes below. Adam's Shownotes: Adam interviews patent attorney, philosopher, legal theorist and libertarian anarchist Stephan Kinsella about his life, his works, and what's next for the great man! 00:00 – Intro. 01:21 -- Does Stephan believe there is a level of technology required for "Ancapistan" to "work". 07:42 -- Adam has issues with the "is/ought" gap and asks Stephan for help on the matter. 25:42 -- The life and times of Stephan Kinsella. Great stuff! 50:55 -- Have questions about legal careers? Reach out to Stephan with questions! 52:02 -- Outro. Thank you for watching Haman Nature! https://youtu.be/ls82IXaxIW8?si=0RXbDIdp5FsiR3IW Shownotes (Grok):   body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6; margin: 20px; max-width: 800px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; } h1, h2 { color: #2c3e50; } .timestamp { font-weight: bold; color: #7f8c8d; display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; } p { margin-bottom: 15px; }   Haman Nature Episode 109: Revised Show Notes Aired: March 24, 2025 In this episode of Haman Nature, host Adam Haman interviews libertarian theorist and patent attorney Stephan Kinsella, marking his third or fourth appearance on the show. The discussion explores Kinsella’s views on anarcho-capitalism, libertarian legal theory, philosophy, and intellectual property (IP), intertwined with biographical insights into his life, career challenges, and intellectual evolution. The episode offers a blend of deep philosophical inquiry and personal reflection, highlighting Kinsella’s contributions to libertarian thought. Technology and Anarcho-Capitalism [00:00] The episode begins with a discussion on whether advanced technology is required for an anarcho-capitalist society (“Ancapistan”) to succeed. Kinsella clarifies a misinterpreted comment, stating he no longer sees liberty as dependent on mass economic literacy but on cultural absorption of libertarian values, as seen after the Soviet Union’s fall. He envisions technology reducing theft incentives in a post-scarcity world, where resources are easily replicable, making state coercion ineffective. Breakthroughs like AI or Bitcoin could accelerate this, though a free society remains possible without them, emphasizing productivity and voluntary institutions. The “Is/Ought” Gap and Objective Rights [07:45] Haman raises the “is/ought” gap, referencing Kinsella’s prior podcast on objective versus subjective rights. Kinsella argues norms must be universalizable and grounded in reality, rejecting arbitrary distinctions like race or strength. Drawing on Hoppe’s transcendental argument, he explains that peaceful discourse presupposes equality and peace, forming a foundation for libertarian norms like body ownership and homesteading. These objective rights minimize conflict and enable prosperity, rooted in human nature rather than divine or forceful edicts. Religion, Ethics, and Practical Norms [14:00] The talk extends to religion’s role in ethics, with Kinsella critiquing dismissals of natural rights while noting that ethical “oughts” often derive from some “is,” including God.

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 455. I interviewed/had a discussion with my first IP law boss today, William C. (Bill) Norvell, Jr., about our time together when I was a new lawyer, his love of opera and so on, and his views on politics, war, Trump, and his views on the patent and IP system based on his years of experience as a patent prosecutor and patent ligitator. Bill, previously a parter with my former firm Jackson Walker, is now retired from Akerman. He was unable to connect via video on our Zoom call so his part is audio only. https://youtu.be/dfpn3KWnh2Q I've mentioned before there are very few anti-patent IP attorneys (see Pro-IP “Anarchists” and anti-IP Patent Attorneys; Patent Lawyers Who Oppose Patent Law). It turns out Bill, the guy who taught me patent law, is mostly of that sentiment. In response to my question about whether abolishing the patent system would mean the end of innovation and inventions, go to about 1:26:00, for this interchange: Kinsella: If the patent system disappeared tomorrow, do you think this this would mean that innovation would stop? Norvell: No, absolutely not. I think it's in the mind in the civilized man and woman mind to move forward and advance society, and we've done this since the caveman and the development of fire and the wheel and so forth. Absolutely not. I think the people that I have known and worked with in my career had brilliant minds;  they were creative people people, and they didn't they didn't really didn't give a damn about the patents. You know another point on this, and in direct answer to your question, is that patents are are applications a lot of times are approved to be pursued in corporations to be “warm fuzzies” for engineers and designers and so forth—"oh this man has three patents etc etc etc”—and there's there's not any care about about protectionism and going into the market and so forth. Mankind, in our entire society, the development of the Industrial Revolution, the evolution of that, is in the in the genes, so to speak, of humanity. I don't think it would affect it a bit. I am reminded of the words of an email to me from a patent attorney (Miracle–An Honest Patent Attorney!): Stephan, Your letter responding to Joe Hosteny’s comments on Patent Trolls nicely states what I came to realize several years ago, namely, it is unclear that the U.S. Patent System, as currently implemented, necessarily benefits society as a whole. Certainly, it has benefited [Hostey] and his [partners] and several of their prominent clients, and has put Marshall, Texas on the map; but you really have to wonder if the “tax” placed on industry by the System (and its use of juries or lay judges to make the call on often highly complex technical issues that the parties’ technical experts cannot agree on) is really worth it. Of course, anyone can point to a few start-up companies that, arguably, owe their successes to their patent portfolios; but over the last 35 years, I have observed what would appear to be an ever increasing number of meritless patents, issued by an understaffed and talent-challenged PTO examining group, being used to extract tribute from whole industries. I have had this discussion with a number of clients, including Asian clients, who have been forced to accept our Patent System and the “taxes” it imposes on them as the cost of doing business in the USA. I wish I had the “answer”. I don’t. But going to real opposition proceedings, special patent courts with trained patent judges, “loser pays attorney fees” trials, retired engineers/scientists or other experienced engineers/scientists being used to examine applications in their fields of expertise by telecommuting from their homes or local offices throughout the Country, litigating patent attorneys providing regular lectures to the PTO examiners on problems encountered in patent infringement cases due to ineffective or careless examination of patent applications,

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 454. My recent appearance on The Rational Egoist. (Spotify; Youtube) Shownotes: Michael engages in a lively debate with Stephan Kinsella, a libertarian theorist and anarcho-capitalist, as they explore key issues that divide Objectivists and libertarians. They discuss topics such as intellectual property, the role of the state, and foundational philosophical differences between the two schools of thought. Grok shownotes: In this episode of the Kinsella on Liberty Podcast (KOL454), recorded on February 12, 2025, libertarian patent attorney Stephan Kinsella engages in a spirited debate with Objectivists Amy Peikoff and James Valliant, moderated by Adam Mossoff, covering intellectual property (IP), anarchism versus minarchism, and the application of Ayn Rand’s Objectivism to law (0:00:00-10:00). Kinsella argues that IP, particularly patents and copyrights, violates property rights by granting state-enforced monopolies over non-scarce ideas, advocating for a stateless society where voluntary institutions replace coercive government, while Peikoff and Valliant defend IP as a natural right rooted in creation and support a minimal state to protect individual rights, aligning with Rand’s philosophy (10:01-40:00). The debate, hosted by the Federalist Society, highlights tensions between libertarian and Objectivist principles, with Kinsella challenging the moral and practical basis of IP and state authority. The discussion grows contentious as Kinsella critiques the Objectivist justification for IP, citing its economic harms like litigation costs and innovation barriers, while Peikoff and Valliant counter that IP incentivizes creativity and that a minimal state is necessary to prevent chaos, using Rand’s framework to argue for objective law (40:01-1:10:00). In the Q&A, Kinsella addresses audience questions on anarchy’s feasibility and IP’s impact, maintaining that market mechanisms outperform state interventions, while Peikoff and Valliant defend Rand’s vision of limited government, accusing Kinsella of evading practical realities (1:10:01-1:29:56). Kinsella concludes by urging rejection of IP and state coercion, directing listeners to c4sif.org, delivering a robust libertarian critique, though the Objectivists’ insistence on Rand’s principles leaves little common ground. This episode is a compelling clash of ideologies, ideal for exploring libertarian and Objectivist perspectives.   Transcript below along with detailed Grok summary. https://youtu.be/NLIS5u5gmlw?si=uUTQLcO7zBtgL9q0 https://open.spotify.com/episode/7irB0NVxlqysC571CUmJGE?si=DKtqArPPTO-OW8P2o_9P6w&nd=1&dlsi=b76eff4560b3492d DETAILED GROK SHOWNOTES Detailed Summary for Show Notes with Time Blocks The summary is based on the transcript provided at stephankinsella.com for KOL454, a 1-hour-29-minute debate recorded on February 12, 2025, hosted by the Federalist Society, featuring Stephan Kinsella debating Objectivists Amy Peikoff and James Valliant, moderated by Adam Mossoff. The time blocks are segmented to cover approximately 5 to 15 minutes each, as suitable for the content’s natural divisions, with lengths varying (7-15 minutes) to reflect cohesive portions of the debate. Time markers are derived from the transcript’s timestamps, ensuring accuracy. Each block includes a description, bullet points for key themes, and a summary, capturing the debate’s arguments and dynamics. 0:00:00-7:00 (Introduction and Opening Statements, ~7 minutes) Description: Moderator Adam Mossoff introduces the debate, outlining the topics of intellectual property (IP) and anarchism versus minarchism, with Kinsella representing libertarianism and Peikoff and Valliant representing Objectivism (0:00:00-0:01:00). Kinsella opens, arguing that IP, particularly patents and copyrights, violates property rights by creating state-enforced monopolies over non-scarce ideas, and advocates for anarcho-capitalism,

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 453. I was approached recently by my old friend, legal scholar and philosopher David Koepsell (a fellow opponent of IP who appeared on the John Stossel show with me a few years back), (( KOL308 | Stossel: It’s My Idea (2015). )) as one of his students at Texas A&M, Eliot Kalinov, was interested in my and Hoppe's work on argumentation ethics and related issues. I offered to have a discussion with Eliot about these issues for his research and publication plans, which we did yesterday (Feb. 18, 2025). We recorded it for his own purposes, and I post it here, with his permission, for those who might find the topics discussed of interest. He is very bright and asked very intelligent questions. We discuss mainly the topics noted in the title of this episode. Grok shownotes: [0:03–28:37] In this episode of the Kinsella on Liberty podcast (KOL453), Stephan Kinsella engages in a discussion with a Texas A&M Classics major and Philosophy Club president about Hans-Hermann Hoppe’s argumentation ethics and related libertarian concepts. The student, introduced to libertarianism through figures like Liquid Zulu and Kinsella’s work on intellectual property (IP), seeks to explore argumentation ethics for an undergraduate philosophy journal paper. Kinsella explains that argumentation ethics, which posits that certain normative presuppositions (like self-ownership and property rights) are inherent in rational discourse, is a compelling framework for grounding libertarian principles. He clarifies its transcendental nature, avoiding the is-ought gap by deriving norms from the act of argumentation itself, and addresses its persuasive power despite not always convincing non-libertarians like socialists. [28:38–1:33:11] The conversation delves into critiques of argumentation ethics, particularly from Bob Murphy and Gene Callahan, focusing on issues like the necessity of property rights due to scarcity and the applicability of norms to edge cases (e.g., children, mentally impaired individuals). Kinsella defends the theory by emphasizing the prior-later distinction and the inevitability of conflict over scarce resources, which necessitates property norms. He also tackles inalienability, distinguishing body ownership from external object ownership, and critiques Walter Block’s voluntary slavery stance, arguing that contracts do not create obligations but transfer titles. The discussion broadens to libertarian property rights, the role of aggression in justifying responsive force, and the cultural rise of libertarianism, with Kinsella offering to review the student’s paper and suggesting publication avenues like the Journal of Libertarian Studies. Transcript and detailed Grok shownotes below. https://youtu.be/2vjVNAF0JUA Update: He recently (May 2025) notified me that his updated paper has been published as Eliot Kalinov, “The Universalizability of Argumentation Ethics,” Aletheia: Texas A&M Journal of Undergraduate Philosophy (Spring 2025): 58–79 (local copy). He also told me "in our discussion, I mentioned an Encrypted Will analogy and falsely attributed it to Walter Block." The paper is Ian Hersum, "A Rational Theory of the Rights of Children," Studia Humana 9:2 (2020): 45–52. Detailed Grok Shownotes Detailed Summary for Show Notes with Time Segments Segment 1: Introduction and Background (0:03–7:26) Description: The episode begins with the student introducing their background as a Classics major at Texas A&M, their role as Philosophy Club president, and their exposure to libertarianism via David Koepsell, Liquid Zulu, and Kinsella’s anti-IP work. They express interest in argumentation ethics, inspired by Kinsella’s discussion with Bob Murphy, aiming to write a paper for an undergraduate philosophy journal. Kinsella shares his connection with David Koepsell, a utilitarian with unique legal theories, and outlines the persuasive appeal of argumentation ethics,

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 452. I was asked recently to guest lecture for a course taught to some mechanical engineering students at Colorado University Boulder (EMEN 4100: Engineering Economics) by the lecturer, David Assad. Assad covers some ethics related matters in the latter part of the course and asked me to talk generally about ethics and related matters. I discussed ethics, morality, politics, and science. I discussed ethics and its relationship to science and politics, and discussed about what science is, the types of sciences, ethics and ethical theories and the relationship to specialized ethics and morality in general, and its relationship to political ethics and political philosophy. I then discussed libertarianism in general, the nature and function of property rights, and then explained how the intellectual property issue can be addressed based on the libertarian and private law perspective. The references and notes I gave the class are embedded in the slides and reproduced below. https://youtu.be/M3SzBjb5zdA Slides here (ppt) and streamed below: Further reading/references IP Issues Part IV of Stephan Kinsella, Legal Foundations of a Free Society (Houston, Texas: Papinian Press, 2023; https://stephankinsella.com/lffs/) You Can’t Own Ideas: Essays on Intellectual Property (Papinian Press, 2023) The Anti-IP Reader: Free Market Critiques of Intellectual Property (Papinian Press, 2023) Other resources at https://c4sif.org/resources “Rethinking Intellectual Property: History, Theory, and Economics” (Mises Academy, 2011; 6 lectures) concise argument against IP law: “Intellectual Property and Libertarianism,” KOL037 | Locke’s Big Mistake: How the Labor Theory of Property Ruined Political Theory Intellectual Property Discussion with Mark Skousen “The Overwhelming Empirical Case Against Patent and Copyright” and “Legal Scholars: Thumbs Down on Patent and Copyright,” in Kinsella, You Can’t Own Ideas on the assumption that any additional innovation and creative works incentivized by the IP system are worth more to society than those lost or suppressed due to these same laws: “There’s No Such Thing as a Free Patent,” in  You Can’t Own Ideas on the assumption that even if IP law gives rise to a net gain to society in terms of extra innovation, invention, and creative works, that this net gain is greater than other costs of the IP system: “There’s No Such Thing as a Free Patent,” in You Can’t Own Ideas Intellectual Property Rights as Negative Servitudes “Copyright is Unconstitutional” IP tutorials (on IP law, not policy) KOL409 | IP Law Tutorial, Part 1: Patent Law KOL411 | IP Law Tutorial, Part 2: Copyright Law KOL412 | IP Law Tutorial, Part 3: Trademark, Trade Secret, and Other Further Reading: Libertarianism Stephan Kinsella, Legal Foundations of a Free Society (Houston, Texas: Papinian Press, 2023; https://stephankinsella.com/lffs/) Kinsella, The Greatest Libertarian Books, https://stephankinsella.com/lffs/ “Libertarian Legal Theory: Property, Conflict, and Society” (Mises Academy, 2011; 6 lectures)  https://stephankinsella.com/kinsella-on-liberty-podcast/ Other Ludwig von Mises, Ultimate Foundation of Economic Science Hans-Hermann Hoppe, Economic Science and the Austrian Method, A Theory of Socialism & Capitalism, Economics & Ethics of Private Property, The Great Fiction (https://hanshoppe.com/publications/) Randy E. Barnett, “Of Chickens and Eggs—The Compatibility of Moral Rights and Consequentialist Analyses,” Harv. J. L. & Pub. Pol’y 12 (1989): 611–36, and idem, “Introduction: Liberty vs. License,” in The Structure of Liberty: Justice and the Rule of Law, 2d ed. (Oxford, 2014) Hoppe on Property Rights in Physical Integrity vs Value (to invasion of the physical integrity of their property boundaries) Update: see Repealing the Laws of Physics, with this amusing, possibly apocryphal,

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 451. My recent appearance on The Rational Egoist. (Spotify) Shownotes: Debating the Nature of Rights with Stephan Kinsella In this episode of The Rational Egoist, host Michael Liebowitz engages in a stimulating debate with libertarian writer and patent attorney Stephan Kinsella on the nature of rights. Drawing from his book Legal Foundations of a Free Society and his extensive work on legal and political theory, Kinsella offers his perspective on the origins, scope, and application of individual rights. Together, they examine differing philosophical interpretations and discuss how rights function in a free society. This thought-provoking conversation invites listeners to question and refine their understanding of one of the most fundamental concepts in political philosophy. Grok shownotes: In this episode of the Kinsella on Liberty Podcast (KOL451), recorded on January 29, 2025, libertarian patent attorney Stephan Kinsella debates economist Stan Liebowitz on the nature and legitimacy of property rights, focusing on intellectual property (IP) and its economic implications, hosted by the Federalist Society (0:00:00-10:00). Kinsella argues that IP, particularly patents and copyrights, violates property rights by granting state-enforced monopolies over non-scarce ideas, using Austrian economics to emphasize that property rights apply only to scarce, rivalrous resources, and critiques IP’s economic harms like litigation costs and innovation barriers (10:01-40:00). Liebowitz, defending IP, contends that it incentivizes innovation by protecting creators’ profits, arguing that without IP, underinvestment in creative industries would occur, and challenges Kinsella’s dismissal of utilitarian benefits (40:01-1:10:00). The debate intensifies as Kinsella refutes Liebowitz’s utilitarian claims, citing empirical studies showing no clear innovation benefits from IP, while Liebowitz insists on the necessity of IP for industries like pharmaceuticals and software, accusing Kinsella of ignoring practical realities (1:10:01-1:40:00). In the Q&A, Kinsella addresses audience questions on IP’s impact and property rights, maintaining that market mechanisms like first-mover advantages suffice, while Liebowitz defends IP as a pragmatic necessity, highlighting a divide between principled libertarianism and economic pragmatism (1:40:01-1:56:09). Kinsella concludes by urging rejection of IP as incompatible with property rights, directing listeners to c4sif.org, delivering a robust critique. This episode is a compelling clash of libertarian and utilitarian perspectives on IP. Youtube transcript and Detailed Grok shownotes below: https://youtu.be/_rvJ2H8r5Z8?si=890cUejq8lRh4ISj https://youtu.be/LPCg8NEPoNg?si=4djdwXxpR2CYSVA2 GROK DETAILED SHOWNOTES Detailed Summary for Show Notes with Time Blocks The summary is based on the transcript provided at stephankinsella.com for KOL451, a 1-hour-56-minute debate recorded on January 29, 2025, hosted by the Federalist Society, featuring Stephan Kinsella debating economist Stan Liebowitz on the nature of property rights and IP. The time blocks are segmented to cover approximately 5 to 15 minutes each, as suitable for the content’s natural divisions, with lengths varying (8-15 minutes) to reflect cohesive portions of the debate. Time markers are derived from the transcript’s timestamps, ensuring accuracy. Each block includes a description, bullet points for key themes, and a summary, capturing the debate’s arguments and dynamics. 0:00:00-8:00 (Introduction and Opening Statements, ~8 minutes) Description: The Federalist Society host introduces the debate, outlining the topic of property rights, with a focus on IP, and presents Kinsella and Liebowitz as debaters with opposing views (0:00:00-0:02:00). Kinsella opens, arguing that IP, particularly patents and copyrights, violates property rights by creating state-enforce...