Comments on: Coase Theorem and Strip Clubs https://personal.ericgoldman.org/coase_theorem_a/ Thu, 10 Nov 2005 05:02:47 +0000 hourly 1 By: Scott Moss https://personal.ericgoldman.org/coase_theorem_a/#comment-176 Thu, 10 Nov 2005 05:02:47 +0000 http://blog.ericgoldman.org/personal/archives/2005/11/coase_theorem_a.html#comment-176 Interesting question. Do comments, or just postings, affect the AdSense ads? Can I generate some interesting ads on this blog if I mention strip clubs, pornography, Scientology, satanists, devil-worshippers, Wal-Mart, Ross Perot, Osama Bin Laden, bear hunting, and online poker?

Does it make a difference if I twice mention I mention strip clubs, pornography, Scientology, satanists, devil-worshippers, Wal-Mart, Ross Perot, Osama Bin Laden, bear hunting, and online poker?

]]> By: Eh Nonymous https://personal.ericgoldman.org/coase_theorem_a/#comment-175 Fri, 04 Nov 2005 17:00:16 +0000 http://blog.ericgoldman.org/personal/archives/2005/11/coase_theorem_a.html#comment-175 It is Coasian. The only possible concern is not with that situation (a brick and mortar establishment, or at least a bundle of licenses, leases, plus zoning etc. being purchased in toto), but with an analogous one.

When the Church of Scientology meets a critical website it doesn’t like, hosted by a small enough webhosting service, it can simply lay down cash and buy up the service. Poof, no more dissident website.

Similarly, the COS has used (abused?) copyright, trademark, and publicity laws to stifle speech it doesn’t like. Some of the battles were won, and then the anti-Scientologists got their own webhosting service, got good enough lawyers, and fought back.

There’s nothing wrong in theory with buying out the unwanted irritant. It’s the extention of the practice beyond mere purchasing into aggressive (and possibly frivolous) litigation to end debate that’s troublesome. Obviously not a problem in the situation linked.

No trouble with adsense yet; I wonder if having the word “Scientology” in this post will bring unwanted scrutiny down on your blog? 🙂

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