Lessig on AIDS

Lessig's Free Culture wraps up with an important and significant argument about the need for reform. It is incredibly frustrating to hear about the need of big businesses to keep tight restraints on Copyright laws, when these same laws are killing people. It is ludicrous, and unimaginable that lifesaving medication is selling for $1500 when it costs $1, it values cost of living over the cost of a life. Everything we've read in terms of maintaining the integrity of art and the artist has been important, and I do not mean to discount the needs of artists, but that seems like such an insignificant and petty argument when you consider the patent restrictions and subsequent lack of needed medication to AIDS patients. These politicians need to get a grip, and examine the situation at hand which is drastic and preventable--they need to take PRO-active steps, instead of running in circles to save money and relationships with drug companies. When Heller came to speak he certainly did not sound optimistic about the future of such reform, but hopefully some change will come soon.