money for nothing…

Cathy Young asks Why is it still illegal to pay for sex? I have a different question. Is there another product or service which can be legally given away but not sold? I have been trying to think of one, but am drawing a blank.

Update: Geoffb points out that body parts can be donated but not sold. It makes sense; body parts cannot be sold, and neither can they be rented.

Posted on May 8th, 2007 by pwyll
Filed under: law

4 Responses to “money for nothing…”

  1. Paco Malo, on May 10th, 2007 at 12:20 am Said:

    I am an attorney licensed to practice law in Maryland, but not in Florida. I can give away free legal advice in Florida as a “legal consultant”, but I cannot charge clients fees for legal services.

    I can also, in Florida courts, represent myself for free. I guess that makes my ongoing self defense in a frivilous law suit masturbation — but as Woody Allen says on that topic, ‘Don’t knock it, at least it’s sex with someone I love.’

  2. Geoffb, on May 10th, 2007 at 9:59 am Said:

    Body parts, you can donate but not sell them.

  3. pwyll, on May 10th, 2007 at 10:45 am Said:

    We have a winner: Body parts. The legal advice issues Paco Malo mentions are not exactly what I had in mind; these are matters of licensing. Someone with a license to practice law can both sell advice or give it away.

    Organs can be donated but not sold. In hindsight, this shows me that I am getting senile. I should have been perfectly aware of this. Just a few months ago I listened to an excellent podcast on the economics of organ donations and the prohibition of organ sales. It can be heard here

  4. Paco Malo, on May 11th, 2007 at 12:15 am Said:

    America the Beautiful: alcoholics and crack addicts can sell their blood to buy more liquid courage and rock. Go figure.

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