Keith Olbermann reported last night on MSNBC's "Countdown" that the new owner of 85 percent of Elvis Presley Enterprises intends to start licensing Elvis impersonators. No license, no impersonation. (Read about it here.) If this stands, it means that no one will be free, without permission, to dress in a particular way, grow one's hair and sideburns in a particular way, wear a particular kind of sunglasses, and sing particular songs in a particular style in public. "If we were going to do a show that was based on Elvis impersonators, then obviously it wouldn't make sense to have unauthorised Elvis impersonators," Robert Sillerman said.
Does someone want to argue that IP doesn't entail the violation of individiual liberty?
Against Monopoly
defending the right to innovate
Monopoly corrupts. Absolute monopoly corrupts absolutely.
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[Posted at 04/25/2006 06:28 AM by Sheldon Richman on IP in the News 
comments(3)]
Comments
Are you saying I can't wear my blue suede shoes any more?
[Comment at 04/25/2006 08:10 AM by The Anarchist]
We'll have to forward your query to Mr. Sillerman and get back to you. I'd desist from wearing them until you hear something.
[Comment at 04/25/2006 08:57 AM by Sheldon Richman]
Heard a great Elvis impersonator at the People's Faire yesterday.... and it seems that Elvis made more money from "My Way" than Sinatra ever did and Frank was plenty mad about it. Aparently he thought Elvis was an impersonator!
[Comment at 06/05/2006 09:13 PM by Dave Meleney]
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