Economic growth begins with ideas, innovation and creativity. Since the signing of the Constitution, the U.S. has protected the fruits of creativity and innovation through intellectual property protection, primarily expressed as patents, trademarks, copyright and trade secrets.
As our economy has become even more dependent on innovation, intellectual property issues have been pushed to the forefront. The clashes have led some to question the value and even the legitimacy of IP protection. While some of these attacks come from the libertarian perspective, most originate from the same naïve socialist impulses that so demonstrably failed in the realm of real property—but somehow are seen as thoughtful with respect to IP.
IPI believes that creators have the right to own and control the fruits of their creativity, and that the IP system has done an admirable job of not only incentivizing innovation, but also making creative products and services available to the public and transferring technology to the developing world.
FCC Chairman Delays His Ill-Advised Set-Top Box Proposal
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler today pulled his ill-advised set-top box proposal from a scheduled vote, which is a good thing. The proposal has not been made public for comment and review, exceeds the FCC's jurisdiction, and creates significant new problems.
Transparently Hypocritical at the FCC and Public Knowledge
The FCC is slated to vote on a controversial set top box proposal by Chairman Wheeler that no one outside the FCC has seen.
UN Panel Blames Capitalism, Property Rights for Lack of Access to Medicines in Poor Nations
The mandate of the UN's High Level Panel on Access to Medicines assumed that patent rights are "incoherent" with access to medicines, which is a demonstrably false assumption. That's why the recommendations of the report, released today, would be harmful to public health rather than helpful.
Do Copyright Office Concerns Matter to the FCC?
What happens when one expert agency calls out another expert agency? We're about to find out, as the Copyright Office has described major problems with the FCC's set-top box proposal.
Illegal Streaming Is Dominating Online Piracy
An oft-cited study from 2006 commissioned by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and conducted by the Institute for Policy Innovation found that film piracy cost the US economy $20.5 billion annually.
Netflix Disappears from MPAA's "Legal" Movie Search Engine
“Instead of scrolling first through Netflix and then through your cable video on demand offerings, WheretoWatch.com is a one-stop shop to see what options are available to you to get to the specific movie or TV show you’re looking for," said IPI.
Creative Content Hits Back at Internet Australia on Internet Piracy, Site Blocking
Creative Content Australia Executive Director Lori Flekser cites Tom Giovanetti, who said: “Patronising suggestions that creators should 'innovate' away their problems is an unhelpful contribution adding nothing to discourse about solutions to piracy… Content owners ARE innovating. They also want their product protected against massive theft. It’s not a matter of either/or—it’s a matter of both/and.”
Let the People Speak and Innovate
Politicians and bureaucrats increasingly want to legislate and regulate innovative new products and business models before they even exist. Instead, better to let society express its will before legislators try to do it.
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.
Stolen Notes
For the Loyola community, illegal downloading is a problem among students and faculty alike. About $12.5 billion is lost in the U.S. economy each year because of music piracy, according to a study by the Institute for Policy Innovation.
Total Records: 208
