Elon Musk and Jack Dorsey have called for the complete abolition of intellectual property (IP) laws, arguing that patents, copyrights, and trademarks hinder innovation and disproportionately favor large corporations. Dorsey initiated the discussion with a blunt post on X: “Delete all IP law,” to which Musk replied, “I agree.” Their stance aligns with a broader tech-libertarian ideology that promotes open access to knowledge and minimal regulation.
They argue that current IP laws create monopolies, restricting collaboration and slowing advancements in fields like AI and blockchain. By removing these barriers, creators could freely build upon existing work, accelerating technological progress. Advocates of open-source development have long demonstrated that unrestricted access to knowledge fosters innovation.
However, critics warn that eliminating IP protections could have severe consequences. Copyright and patent laws ensure fair compensation and recognition for creators, sustaining incentives for originality. Without these safeguards, independent innovators risk losing control over their work, while large corporations could appropriate content without legal repercussions, exacerbating existing power imbalances. Investment in creative industries might decline, devaluing intangible assets and discouraging new developments.
Musk and Dorsey’s comments come as AI companies face lawsuits for allegedly using copyrighted material without permission to train models. OpenAI, Google, and Meta have been accused of scraping protected content, fueling speculation that the push to abolish IP laws may be a strategic defense rather than a purely ideological position. In AI development, unrestricted data access would ease model training, potentially accelerating progress but at the cost of ethical and legal complexities.
Rather than outright elimination, rethinking compensation models could balance protection and accessibility. Blockchain-based smart contracts and decentralized licensing systems offer alternative ways to reward creators without traditional copyright restrictions. These technologies could automate payments and establish transparent revenue-sharing mechanisms, ensuring fair compensation while enabling open collaboration.
Blockchain technology will reshape the intellectual property economy. For journalists, artists, collectors and organizations, adopting onchain IP means greater security, transparency, efficiency and new monetization streams. By leveraging blockchain technology and smart contracts, Mediolano enables seamless tokenization of IP assets, ensuring immutable proof of ownership without reliance on closed copyright systems.
Through programmable IP, creators can register, track, license, and monetize their work globally while maintaining control over their assets. Mediolano’s smart contract licensing provides an alternative compensation model, allowing creators to create unlimited new models for licensing and monetization without intermediaries.
Mediolano’s permissionless and cost-effective approach empowers independent creators by offering tamper-proof records and real-time asset tracking to prevent unauthorized use. Additionally, its integration with Starknet and Ethereum ensures scalability, security, and interoperability, making it a viable alternative to traditional IP laws.
While Musk and Dorsey’s proposal is radical, their concerns about restrictive IP frameworks merit discussion. A thoughtful reassessment of IP laws could support both innovation and equitable creator compensation in an era defined by digital transformation and AI-driven advancements. By decentralizing IP management, Mediolano aligns with Musk and Dorsey’s vision of open innovation while safeguarding creator rights. It provides a transparent, efficient, and equitable framework for digital ownership, ensuring that creators retain control and receive fair compensation.
