Creative destruction occurs when new companies or business models replace existing ones, transforming existing industries or creating entirely new ones. This phenomenon is especially pronounced in the tech industry, where such disruptions can dramatically and quickly change the competitive landscape. The panel “Deconstructing Creative Destruction” at this year’s TPI Aspen Forum will feature start-up founders, market analysts and academics who will attempt to unpack the black box of disruptive innovation by exploring how entrepreneurs take on established industries and the obstacles standing in their way.
Miscellaneous
Aspen Panel: Competition, Regulation and the Evolution of Internet Business Models
As the internet becomes an increasingly integral part of our lives for work and entertainment, there is increased focus on the economics of the internet ecosystem. Are markets for broadband and applications sufficiently competitive? Are they delivering what consumers and businesses want and need? Most importantly, is government providing a framework that encourages investment and innovation? The panel “Competition, Regulation and the Evolution of Internet Business Models” at the TPI Aspen Forum will feature speakers from broadband providers, government and academia to discuss such topics as: the economics of broadband platforms, business models and pricing plans, investment in infrastructure and applications, and the need to update public policies accordingly.
Streaming Poses Ultimate Catch-22
Barry Diller’s new Aereo venture may turn out to be the ultimate Catch-22. Aereo is possible only because of the existence of broadcast television, but broadcasters view it as a threat and have warned that they may stop broadcasting. If that happens, broadcast television and Aereo could both cease to exist.
GAC Communique Inconsistent with ICANN gTLD Policy
This is in response to ICANN’s request for comments on the Government Advisory Committee (GAC) Beijing Communique of 11 April 2013. The GAC Communique recommends that ICANN implement a range of regulations (which the GAC calls “safeguards”) for all new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) covering areas ranging from malware to piracy to trademark and copyright infringement. The GAC proposes specific safeguards for regulated and professional sectors covering areas as diverse as privacy and security, consumer protection, fair lending and organic farming. Finally, the GAC proposes a “public interest” requirement for approval of new “exclusive registry access” gTLDs.
Five Fallacies About Return-Free Tax Filing
In the midst of juggling paperwork and forms during tax season it’s tempting to imagine a world where your income tax forms spontaneously appear in your mailbox or inbox, filled out by the good graces of the IRS, ready for signature, free of charge. Return-free filing is touted in a recent piece by ProPublica and NPR, which makes the case that Americans could be spared needless frustration, anxiety and paperwork were it not for the lobbying efforts of Intuit, maker of TurboTax, and the pernicious influence of anti-tax activists. Unfortunately, the facts tell a different story and return-free filing advocates rest their case on a number of fallacies.
USF Reverse Auction is Cost-Effective Success
The Federal Communication Commission’s recent Mobility Fund Phase 1 Auction should be considered a “qualified success,” illustrating that reverse auctions and cost-effectiveness measures can be efficient ways to distribute Universal Service subsidies, explains Scott Wallsten in “Two Cheers for the FCC’s Mobility Fund Reverse Auction,” released today by the Technology Policy Institute. However, in order to address possible issues with future reverse auctions, the Commission should consider analyzing auction eligibility requirements, how it evaluates bids, and using different auction designs to discourage strategic bidding.