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No Time to Undermine R&D Partnerships

    The outcome of the world’s response to COVID-19 depends largely on the success of longstanding research and development (R&D) partnerships between public and private sector institutions, including national governments, universities, and pharmaceutical companies. So it’s crucial that governments resist the impulse to undermine these relationships by adopting policies inimical to private sector research […]

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Can AI help fight COVID-19?

    “Artificial intelligence in the fight against COVID-19” By Georgios Petropoulos, courtesy of the Bruegel Institute   In the face of the coronavirus, digital technologies are vital for both social health and economic performance. A digital response to the COVID-19 pandemic can take multiple forms and bring significant value. One important area in which […]

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EU Green Deal: Avoid emissions whackamole

  “Financing Europe’s Green Deal: Beware of the Waterbed Effect” By Daniel Gros and Milan Elkerbout, courtesy of CEPS   Big numbers are always a good way to attract attention. 1 thousand billion euros of investment is the headline figure of the ‘Sustainable Europe Investment Plan’ the European Commission recently presented to the European Parliament.  […]

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Celebrating the Return of the Primitive

  By Kerry Jackson, Pacific Research Institute   Private automobiles are no longer allowed on Market Street in San Francisco, California. The result has been an increase in bike ridership. This is, of course, being hailed as progress. So why does it look like the city is resetting the clock to a previous century?   […]

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Don’t Think Software Design Is An Artform? Just Look At Java

                          By Thomas Carey, Sunstein LLP   In its current term, the Supreme Court will decide Google v. Oracle, a copyright case that has huge implications for the software industry. The smaller issue, potentially involving billions of dollars, is whether Google’s Android operating […]

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Gig economy innovators face tough fight against California’s daft AB-5 law

    “Uber and Postmates’ Important AB-5 Lawsuit Faces an Uphill Battle” By Trace Mitchell and Jennifer Huddleston, courtesy of the Mercatus Center   January 1 did not just ring in a new year and a new decade, it also heralded the start of California’s new worker classification law: Assembly Bill 5 (AB-5). Signed last […]

Trade

What’s really in the U.S.-China trade deal?

“What Will the US‐​China Deal Accomplish on Tech Transfer, IP Protection and Innovation?” By Simon Lester and Huan Zhu, courtesy of the Cato Institute   The US-China Economic and Trade Agreement, described as a “phase one” deal, entered into force today (30 days after signature, pursuant to Article 8.3, para. 1). The Agreement has created a […]

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Rules playing catchup with transport technology

  “Moving America Forward with Transportation Infrastructure” By Krista Chavez, courtesy of the Mercatus Center   Imagine receiving emergency medical supplies that were delivered to your house by drone; enjoying a sandwich while your autonomous vehicle drives you from Dallas, Texas, to Salt Lake City, Utah; or taking an air taxi from downtown Los Angeles […]

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Trade Barriers Kill Innovation

      Creating medicine is a complex and expensive business. While U.S. biopharmaceutical companies lead the world in drug development, international trade practices can stem the flow of innovation to new markets, depriving patients in need. Limited market penetration also means fewer resources to re-invest in the most successful engine for life-saving advancements on […]

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Canadian consumers would pay price for digital tax

  “Taxing the tech giants: Canadian consumers and businesses will pay the price” Courtesy of MEI/IEDM   During the last federal election campaign, all parties promised to raise taxes on the digital giants. Although this is on ice awaiting the conclusion of OECD discussions on the matter, the idea is still present in the public […]