Dorsey and Musk Stir Debate Over Scrapping IP Laws
Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter (now X) and fintech company Block (formerly Square), reignited online debate recently with a blunt statement: “delete all IP law.” Elon Musk, the current owner of X, quickly voiced agreement.
The remarks surfaced during a wider public discussion on the future of intellectual property, particularly in the age of artificial intelligence. Many speculate the comments were a response to the rising number of copyright lawsuits aimed at AI companies accused of using creative content without permission during model training. OpenAI, which Musk helped start and now rivals, is one of several facing such legal challenges.
While some tech insiders sympathized with Dorsey’s sentiment—suggesting current IP enforcement might eventually lead to automated penalties that disproportionately affect marginalized groups—others criticized the stance as dismissive of creators’ rights.
Critics like Ed Newton-Rex, founder of Fairly Trained (a nonprofit promoting ethical AI training), saw the statement as a direct attack on artists. “Tech leaders declaring war on creators,” he said. Writer Lincoln Michel added, “Without IP law, neither Jack nor Elon’s companies would exist.”
Dorsey later elaborated, arguing that the current IP system benefits middlemen and stifles creativity, and that alternative models could compensate creators more fairly. He suggested the system currently acts more as a toll booth than a support for innovation.
Elon Musk’s position isn’t new. He has previously criticized patents, famously saying, “Patents are for the weak,” during a conversation with Jay Leno. In 2014, Musk pledged Tesla’s patents would be open to competitors using them “in good faith,” though the company later became involved in legal disputes when sued first by another party.
Dorsey’s open-source philosophy has also been evident in his support of decentralized social platforms, notably launching the Bluesky initiative before stepping away from its leadership.
With both tech moguls pushing for the dismantling of current IP structures, their comments have sparked a new round of conversation about how to balance innovation, creator rights, and the growing influence of AI. While the comments may seem casual, experts note that in today’s climate, such remarks from powerful tech figures can shape real-world policy and public opinion.