Monthly Archives: September 2009

For the last few weeks, James Grimmelmann has been the go-to source for news and analysis of the Google Book Search case. In a recent post, he takes an in-depth looks at the various parties who have sought to intervene … Continue reading →

The Washington Post has an editorial opposing network neutrality. Berin Szoka likes it. Tom Lee doesn’t. Tom says it’s misleading to talk about a “vibrant and well-functioning marketplace” for connectivity: In truth, it’s stagnated: in North America, prices remain steady … Continue reading →

Jerry Brito is not only a longtime friend, he’s also one of the sharpest people working in tech policy today. So I was flattered when he asked me to be the first guest on Surprisingly Free Conversations, his new weekly … Continue reading →

Among the income sources I mention on my disclosure page is the Institute for Humane Studies, a libertarian-leaning organization that provides fellowships to grad students doing public policy work. I recently received my award for 2009, and learned that it … Continue reading →

My former co-blogger Ryan Radia has an excellent op-ed on the network neutrality debate. I particularly liked his discussion of the relative merits of open platforms: In the battle between open and closed devices, wireless subscribers have voted with their … Continue reading →

Cato’s Center for Trade Policy Studies released a study last month on the economics of expanded immigration to the United States. Economists Peter B. Dixon and Maureen T. Rimmer use a general equilibrium model to predict how various policy changes … Continue reading →

Richard Epstein is a giant of libertarian political philosophy, but I frequently find his writings on technology issues frustrating. As I’ve written before, his limited knowledge of the IT industry tends to show when he’s writing about tech policy issues. … Continue reading →

I’m reading some of the amicus briefs in the Bilski case, and I’m struck by how vacuous they are. Consider this passage of Yahoo’s brief, purporting to give an example of the kind of technology patents ought to cover: A … Continue reading →

Paul Graham has a great new essay out looking at the decline of the content industries: A copy of Time costs $5 for 58 pages, or 8.6 cents a page. The Economist costs $7 for 86 pages, or 8.1 cents … Continue reading →

Under criticism from all directions, Google and its adversaries have filed for permission to abandon the settlement agreement they announced last October and go back to the drawing board. They’re asking for a conference with the judge that will be … Continue reading →