My problem with that book is that the authors start it with a lie [1], and changed to different lies when being called out on it [2]. They also made some misrepresentations of how software and open source works.
Just from that, it was difficult for me to take anything else they say at face value. To top it off, I just came across a reference [3] suggesting Boldrin and Levine's analysis of the dye market was inaccurate, and that patents actually played a big role in German dominance in the market.
The one thing I've realized from reading a lot of studies, anyone that makes a broad claim that IP if "all good" or "all bad" is wrong.
Just from that, it was difficult for me to take anything else they say at face value. To top it off, I just came across a reference [3] suggesting Boldrin and Levine's analysis of the dye market was inaccurate, and that patents actually played a big role in German dominance in the market.
The one thing I've realized from reading a lot of studies, anyone that makes a broad claim that IP if "all good" or "all bad" is wrong.
1. http://www.terry.uga.edu/~jlturner/StrongSteamApril2009.pdf
2. http://www.terry.uga.edu/~jlturner/WattAgainAug2009.pdf
3. "Recent Research on the Economics of Patents" - Bronwyn H. Hall, Dietmar Harhoff, Pg 13.