Economists have long recognized that technological innovation and enhanced communication increase productivity and reduce friction in economic activity. And never before has technology’s impact on economic growth been as evident as it is today.
At IPI, we focus on technology and communications policy not only because it’s critical to economic growth, but also because government’s inherent tendency to regulate prospectively poses an active threat to the economic gains and lifestyle enhancements made possible by technological innovation.
The communications and technology industries are among the country’s most competitive and the biggest capital investors in the U.S. economy, and are thus prime engines of economic growth and job creation. It is critical that public policy encourages continued innovation and investment in the tech sector, and that we don’t limit the innovation upside with counterproductive taxes and regulations.
Tax Succor or Sucker Punch
For years, big-government pro-taxers have often deployed parliamentary tricks to thwart the vote on a permanent Internet tax fix. This time, however, there may be nowhere to hide.
Just in Time for Christmas! It's Text Spam
When a company is seeking to use government regulation to pad its own bottom line the government should reject the proposal.
Support Permanent Internet Tax Freedom
Since 1998, the federal government has prohibited states and localities from imposing such taxes. This has helped Americans from all backgrounds gain access to the Internet. The economic and educational benefits of this policy are vast and immeasurable. It is long past time for Congress to make permanent the ban on Internet access taxes.
Coalition Letter in Support of Permanent Internet Tax Freedom
Since 1998, the federal government has prohibited states and localities from imposing such taxes. This has helped Americans from all backgrounds gain access to the Internet. The economic and educational benefits of this policy are vast and immeasurable. It is long past time for Congress to make permanent the ban on Internet access taxes.
Patent Trolls: Fraudsters Make Easy Money Due To American Law
The need for patent reform is not a new issue, but a recent ruling provides a perfect example of all that is wrong with our current system.
Is SEC's Power Grab More Important Than the Fourth Amendment?
The SEC is holding up ECPA reform in an attempt to parlay more agency power, demanding a carve-out in any updated ECPA bill that would give the agency power to access your data without a warrant.
Capitol Hill: Nov. 20, 2015
Institute for Policy Innovation research fellow Bartlett Cleland slammed the FCC's "mission creep," discussing the Tuesday FCC oversight hearing before the House Communications Subcommittee.
The Creeping Tentacles of Unrestrained Regulation
We need restraint in the face of ill-defined, or ill-fitting, regulations that were clearly drafted and enacted in another age, for technology found today only in museums.
Multiple Proposed Conditions Submitted in Charter/TWC/BHN
But free-market-oriented IPI said Charter/TWC/BHN should go ahead "with the addition of conditions and concessions." Given the heavy competition in the video marketplace, IPI said, "fears that a post-merger Charter will wield overwhelming market power such that it will be able to quash such competition seems more based in Progressive Era general distrust of corporations than any informed understanding of the current video marketplace and the obvious current trends."