Intellectual Property: Protection or Government-Granted Monopoly?

Join Liberty Labs Toronto for our tenth meetup on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 7:00 PM near Yonge and Eglinton!
We’ll examine one of the most contentious issues in libertarian thought: patents, copyrights, and intellectual property laws. Are they legitimate protections for creators, or state-enforced monopolies that stifle innovation, raise prices, and violate the principles of true property rights?
This will be a balanced, thought-provoking discussion covering:

• The philosophical case for and against IP
• How patents actually work in practice (pharma, software, everyday inventions)
• Real-world effects on innovation, competition, and consumer costs
• Alternatives like trade secrets, first-mover advantage, and open-source models
• Canadian-specific IP rules and how they impact independent creators and entrepreneurs

What to expect:

• Open, respectful discussion with plenty of room for different libertarian viewpoints
• Complimentary appetizers and a drink ticket
• Everyone who attends will receive a million-dollar Zimbabwe note as a fun take-home reminder of real value vs. fiat illusions
• Connect with 10-20 liberty-minded Torontonians

Venue: Pickle Barrel (2300 Yonge St, at Yonge & Eglinton), right above Eglinton Station. Easy parking in the Yonge Eglinton Centre garage or nearby Green P lots.