seventeen prominent economists, including kenneth arrow, ronald coase, and milton friedman, submitted an amicus brief opposing the bill when it was challenged in court. they argued that the discounted present value of the extension was only a 1% increase for newly created works, while the increase in transaction costs created by extending the terms of old works would be very large and without any marginal benefit. according to lawrence lessig, when asked to sign the brief, friedman had originally insisted that "the word 'no-brainer' [appear] in it somewhere," but still agreed to sign it even though his condition was not met.