> They have. It's called insurance. In other words, economists haven't solved the problem. Insurance just kicks the can down the road. > You could also just

> They have. It's called insurance. In other words, economists haven't solved the problem. Insurance just kicks the can down the road. > You could also just require a license to scrap copper. That doesn't work. The UK and US already have laws to make it hard to sell illegally-gotten scrap metal. But black markets and "laundering" will always exist as a workaround. These things are riskier, and result in lower returns for the thief, but it doesn't stamp out the problem.