[cturner]

Free software does not extend from socialist thought.

Stallman's initial realisation was a reaction to crony capitalism: he could not modify the printer due to IP rules. Essentially, a deal is done between government and big business (the manufacturer and possibly the university), at the expense of hackers (individuals).

The justifications for copyright are rooted in common-good arguments. The state limits individual freedom, claiming that it should because of (undemonstrated) common-good advantages. Hayek explores this, and takes a position against IP in _The Fatal Conceit: The Errors of Socialism_.

A better political analogy for free software is a conflict from early US history: between landowner and state rights advocates (Jefferson) vs big-business visions (Hamilton).