Wealth of Networks - new book

From the New Economist blog comes this news of Yochia Benkler's new book - 'The Wealth of Networks':

[Benkler] argues that while the strength and domain of copyright, trademarks and patents have expanded, social trends in the past few years "are pushing in the opposite direction." Benkler's vision is a utopian one, seeing a networked information economy as "an opportunity to change the way we create and exchange information, knowledge, and culture". This will "offer individuals greater autonomy, political communities greater democracy, and societies greater opportunities for cultural self-reflection and human connection."

Cynics will snort. Business will wonder how to profit from it. Politicians will see it as a threat. But anyone interested in these issues should certainly take the time to read this book.

I haven't read the book yet - but I will. It should be an important contribution to thought on this issue. For those who want to go directly to the book, it is posted (in keeping with Benkler's philosophy) on his website as WikiNotes.