Renouard, if ever he reads this work, will do me the justice
to admit that, in quoting him, I do not criticise his thought; he
himself has perceived the contradictions of the patent law. All
that I pretend is to connect this contradiction with the general
system.
Why, in the first place, a TEMPORARY monopoly in manufacture,
while land monopoly is PERPETUAL? The Egyptians were more
logical; with them these two monopolies were alike hereditary,
perpetual, inviolable. I know the considerations which have
prevailed against the perpetuity of literary property, and I
admit them all; but these considerations apply equally well to
property in land; moreover, they leave intact all the arguments
brought forward against them. What, then, is the secret of all
these variations of the legislator? For the rest, I do not need
to say that, in pointing out this inconsistency, it is not my
purpose either to slander or to satirize; I admit that the course
of the legislator is determined, not by his will, but by
necessity.
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