Copyright vs. Freedom of Speech

Presented at DEF CON 6 (1998), Aug. 2, 1998, 3 p.m. (50 minutes)

As policy and the economics of a world wide economy force us to attempt an information based economy, the manufactured concept of Intellectual Property becomes paramount. Our preeminent corporations have shifted from GM and Ford to Disney and Microsoft; our government struggles to develop and globally enforce laws to protect the profitability of IP. These laws are intrinsically at odds with the free and unfettered exchange of ideas which is central to the validity of democracy. But IP law is built on a weak legal and moral foundation, and it is far from clear that an IP based economy is viable.


Presenters:

  • Super Dave - of the DoC
    David Gessel spent his childhood hammering steel in front of a coal-fired forge as a blacksmith's apprentice for seven years. He then went to MIT to get a degree in physics where he focused on robotics and precision engineering. Switching coasts, David joined Apple's Advanced Technology Group and worked on various things including pen-based computers, LCD technology, and digital cameras. After ATG, David worked at Interval Research Corp, researching rapid design/prototyping technologies for mechanical systems. David is now CTO of Spinner, Inc., a startup developing QTVR technology; VP of Engineering for Nebucon, Inc., a startup developing secure Internet services for small businesses; and contracts mechanical design services bicostally.

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