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Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property RSS Feed

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.

September 22, 2016

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.

September 14, 2016

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.

September 1, 2016

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.

August 1, 2016

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.

April 10, 2016

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. 

March 21, 2016

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.”

March 17, 2016

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. 

December 7, 2015

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. 

December 4, 2015

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. 

November 5, 2015

Lower Drug Prices by Streamlining Approval Process, Delaying IP Clock

A new publication shows how competition, streamlining the drug-approval process, and leveraging the power of intellectual property protections are the keys to unlock lower prices for consumers. 

Total Records: 207