Piracy Law Based on Made-Up Facts

James Joyner · Wednesday, October 8, 2008 · 3 Comments

Julian Sanchez investigates the oft-repeated statistics that 750,000 American jobs are lost to intellectual property theft and that IP infringment costs the economy somewhere in excess of $200 billion.

It turns out that these numbers go back to quotes from 1986 and 1987 respectively. And, it seems, both numbers were simply top-of-the-head estimates with no statistical basis.

FILED UNDER: Economics and Business, James Joyner, Science & Technology, infringment, Julian Sanchez, Piracy

About James Joyner
James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. Follow James on Twitter.

Comments

Bithead says:

Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 15:02

Seems something of a trend, there.

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Michael says:

Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 15:31

If they can claim a single song download caused them $6,000 in damages, why would the origin of these numbers surprise you?

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JT says:

Thursday, October 9, 2008 at 10:25

Is it truly that shocking to see large corporations taking advantage of individuals? Governments consistently throw innocent people in jail, or send people to prison for minor violations. Justice and truth and unfortunately be purchased in this nation.

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