5 Comments

Speaking of "software patents," those have been well known to be troublesome for over 30 years. If anything, the issues and trolls seem worse than when we looked at them.

See the Office of Technology Assessment 1990 report, "Finding a Balance: Computer Software,Intellectual Property and the Challenge of Technological Change"

https://ota.fas.org/reports/9215.pdf

Expand full comment

"Are government programs and interventions superior to market corrections? The truth is we don't know."

WTf? Are you serious. Of course we know the answer to that question.

On Day One of the Biden admin, the POTUS took action to cancel significant, onfoing, funded capital programs in the energy industry and to forestall drilling in Alaska.

1. Immediately, the price of gasoline and diesel skyrocketed.

2. All capital flows to the energy industry stopped as executives tried to make sense of launching 30 year projects in this changed, hostile environment.

3. High gas prices triggered higher transporation costs that launched inflation.

4. Interest rates immediately began to climb with inflation.

Having inherited low gas prices, historic low inflation, and low interest rates, these singular actions, these interventions in markets guided by the famous Invisible Hand delivered dramatically different results.

So, yeah, I think we know.

JLM

www.themusingsofthebigredcar.com

Expand full comment

We adjusted the intro paragraph to more accurately capture Dr. Winston's argument. Thanks for the feedback.

Expand full comment

It is the mark of a high quality, engaged blog when they actually read the comments and reply.

Years ago Freddie Wilson from Union Square Ventures had the hottest VC oriented blog because of the quality of his writing, the engagement of the audience, and his own personal engagement.

Bravo and well played!

JLM

www.themusingsofthebigredcar.com

Expand full comment

A good example of counterproductive regulation is the recent FTC rule invalidating non-compete clauses in employment agreements. That kind of top-down dictate never works as well as bottom-up market solutions.

The FTC claims the rule will cut healthcare costs, increase the number of patents, and increase wages. There's no support for those claims. It's all speculation. Politics from Lina Khan, an academic with absolutely no experience in the real world.

Expand full comment