At 10:12 PM -0700 6/11/97, Kent Crispin wrote:
On Wed, Jun 11, 1997 at 07:18:52PM -0700, Steve Schear wrote:
Ideas are not protected speech, since they only exist in the mind, only expressions are protected.
Actually, expression is heavily encumbered with state mechanism, since it is expression that is "protected" by copyright.
Quite.
Ideas are also encumbered by the state, through patent law. The whole notion of expression and ideas as property is purely sustained by the state.
Yep. I have the right, because I have the ability, to think anything I wish. But as soon as I reduce that idea, for example a patent, to a tangible form the state has deemed it their domain to regulate it, but only so far as the property aspect is concerned. But they shouldn't from a freedom of expression standpoint.
As I stated earlier, all expressions (however objectionable they may be to some or many members of society) deserve protection, unless they immediately threaten (or server to incite others to threaten) the physical well being of specific individuals or groups. Porn and instructions for making conventional or weapons of mass distruction should not be regulated.
It seems to me that your penultimate sentence contradicts your last sentence.
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