"While control is needed, and perfectly warranted, our bias should be clear up front: Monopolies are not justified by theory; they should be permitted only when justified by facts. If there is no solid basis for extending a certain monopoly protection, then we should not extend that protection. This does not mean that every copyright must prove its value initially. That would be a far too cumbersome system of control. But it does mean that every system or category of copyright or patent should prove its worth. Before the monopoly should be permitted, there must be reason to believe it will do some good — for society, and not just for monopoly holders."

“Law and technology produce, together, a kind of regulation of creativity we've not seen before.”

“IT Conversations - Audio programs featuring Lessig”

“One thing we know about incentives is you can't incent a dead person. No matter what we do, Hawthorne will not produce any more works, we can give him all the money in the world.”

“I've told a dark story. The truth is more mixed. A technology has given us a new freedom. Slowly, some begin to understand that this freedom need not mean anarchy. We can carry a free culture into the twenty-first century, without artists losing and without the potential of digital technology being destroyed. ... Common sense must revolt. It must act to free culture. Soon, if this potential is ever to be realized.”

“coverage of Lessig's opposition to the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act”

“The "Dinosaurs" Are Taking Over - Buisnessweek”