As the May 18 deadline for negotiating a modernized North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) looms, negotiators should consider closely how intellectual property (IP) rights will be treated between the countries involved. According to the Global Innovation Policy Center’s (GIPC) 2018 International IP Index, which measures 50 countries against 40 IP indicators, the U.S. ranked […]
The recently released Farm Bill contained many of the same wasteful spending items found in past Farm Bills, but also held a few surprises that if not contained with transparency and appropriate oversight could lead to further wasteful spending. Among the new programs found in this year’s Farm Bill is a provision in Title VI, […]
The creative influence of women around the globe is of critical importance to innovation.
Technological advances over the past several decades have dramatically changed the way everyone listens to music, but compensation for performers, producers, and songwriters remains in the dark ages. They do not receive just compensation for the intellectual property created by their hard work and ingenuity. For the past couple of years, House Judiciary Committee has […]
The concept that federal information technology (IT) procurement should be technology and vendor neutral is among the best practices for federal government agencies. However, when a large federal agency issues an exceptionally large cloud contract to a predetermined vendor for a specific technology solution without competitive bidding, such a contract is neither technology nor vendor […]
There are several technologies being considered for developing the next generation of communications infrastructure. Among those being studied and deployed are the use of TV white spaces for rural broadband connectivity; wireless fixed broadband initiatives; satellite broadband, and the development of fifth generation (5G) technologies for mobile communications. According to a March 12, 2018 study […]
There is a huge misunderstanding regarding net neutrality. Silicon Valley dot-coms and big e-commerce corporations are pushing the idea that the Restoring Internet Freedom Order approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on December 14, 2017 somehow rolled back protections for consumers, and will lead to the end of the internet as we know it. But, it did nothing of the sort. It simply rolled back the heavy hand of government over the internet, and restored consumer protection to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which was stripped out by the 2015 Open Internet Order.
Republicans and Democrats in Congress have a hard time agreeing on anything. But, they might concur that it is not appropriate for law enforcement officials to order a cloud services provider to turn over customer data stored in another country without that country’s permission. In December 2013, a federal district court judge in New York […]
On January 28, 2018, the music industry will gather at the Grammy Awards. Country legends, pop artists, classical musicians, producers, and songwriters will be among those recognized for their innovation in music and sound. While the Grammys celebrate their accomplishments, many of these music creators do not receive just compensation for their hard work and […]
The sign that appears in quaint shops and businesses across the country, “Keep Calm and Carry On,” originated from a 1939 British motivational poster. This applies universally and over time; it is particularly relevant in a world that responds instantaneously to social media and “news.” The best example of when this axiom should apply is […]
