Abstract:
This article explores the intersections between privacy, property rights, ideas, and information. The multiple-homesteading theory (MHT) posits that property rights have universal applicability, encompassing the physical, digital, and mental domains. Property in ideas and information (PII) exists only as long as privacy is fully maintained. Once shared, ideas and information trigger automatic homesteading processes in any individual who comes into contact with them; these individuals then form new and original ideas, which remain their exclusive property as long as privacy is preserved. Any libertarian addressing PII must investigate the ontological nature of ideas and information, which cannot be defined in purely physicalistic terms. This article carries out this preparatory work through examinations of heterogeneous philosophical and scientific theories, literature, and classical music. In addition, a meme theory of ideas is outlined. Ultimately, recognizing the existence of PII does not legitimize positivistic intellectual property (IP) legislation, which is incompatible with libertarian principles. Instead, the MHT demonstrates that privacy bridges coherent libertarian theory and effective libertarian action, especially in a world dominated by the pervasive intersection of the physical and digital domains.
Read the full article at the Journal of Libertarian Studies.
