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The collection of all scholarly commentary on law, economics, and more

Showing archive for:  “Law & Economics”

Bringing the Error Cost Framework to the Agency: Commissioner Wright’s Proposed Policy Statement on Section 5 Unfair Methods of Competition Enforcement

FTC Commissioner Wright issued today his Policy Statement on enforcement of Section 5 of the FTC Act against Unfair Methods of Competition (UMC)—the one he promised in April. Wright introduced the Statement in an important policy speech this morning before the Executive Committee Meeting of the New York State Bar Association’s Antitrust Section. Both the Statement ... Bringing the Error Cost Framework to the Agency: Commissioner Wright’s Proposed Policy Statement on Section 5 Unfair Methods of Competition Enforcement

The SHIELD Act: When Bad Economic Studies Make Bad Laws

Earlier this month, Representatives Peter DeFazio and Jason Chaffetz picked up the gauntlet from President Obama’s comments on February 14 at a Google-sponsored Internet Q&A on Google+ that “our efforts at patent reform only went about halfway to where we need to go” and that he would like “to see if we can build some ... The SHIELD Act: When Bad Economic Studies Make Bad Laws

James M. Buchanan — 1919-2013

Yet another loss of a giant in the world of law and economics.  On December 19, it was Robert Bork.  Today, we lost economist James M. Buchanan, Nobel laureate, George Mason professor, and one of the fathers of Public Choice economics.  Regular readers of TOTM will know that several of us–including yours truly–have been heavily influenced by the insights of Public ... James M. Buchanan — 1919-2013

Congratulations to FTC Commissioner Josh Wright

All of us here at TOTM are thrilled to announce that the Senate yesterday confirmed Josh Wright to be the next Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission. As I wrote upon Josh’s nomination: Josh is widely regarded as the top antitrust scholar of his generation. He is the author of more than 50 scholarly articles and ... Congratulations to FTC Commissioner Josh Wright

Prominent Professors, Deans and Former Government Officials Support Josh Wright’s Nomination to FTC

Today, thirty-one prominent deans, professors, and former government officials who specialize in law and economics and antitrust submitted a letter to the Senate Commerce Committee supporting Josh Wright‘s nomination to be a Commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission. The letter, which is addressed to Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV and Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison of ... Prominent Professors, Deans and Former Government Officials Support Josh Wright’s Nomination to FTC

Hill Event on December 13: “CopyRIGHT: Can Free Marketeers Agree on Copyright Reform?”

 What promises to be an interesting and lively panel discussion on copyright will occur on the Hill on December 13.  Even better, it includes not one but two Truth on the Market bloggers–Geoff and me!  Come one, come all!    EVENT ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2012 CONTACT: Will Rinehart (202) 599-0408 Register for ... Hill Event on December 13: “CopyRIGHT: Can Free Marketeers Agree on Copyright Reform?”

Forget remedies – FairSearch doesn’t even have a valid statement of harm in its Google antitrust criticism

After more than a year of complaining about Google and being met with responses from me (see also here, here, here, here, and here, among others) and many others that these complaints have yet to offer up a rigorous theory of antitrust injury — let alone any evidence — FairSearch yesterday offered up its preferred ... Forget remedies – FairSearch doesn’t even have a valid statement of harm in its Google antitrust criticism

Should the FTC Sue Google Over Search? A TechFreedom Debate This Friday

I will be speaking at a lunch debate in DC hosted by TechFreedom on Friday, September 28, 2012, to discuss the FTC’s antitrust investigation of Google. Details below. TechFreedom will host a livestreamed, parliamentary-style lunch debate on Friday September 28, 2012, to discuss the FTC’s antitrust investigation of Google.   As the company has evolved, expanding outward from ... Should the FTC Sue Google Over Search? A TechFreedom Debate This Friday

Ginsburg & Wright on Behavioral Law and Economics: Its Origins, Fatal Flaws, and Implications for Liberty

My paper with Judge Douglas H. Ginsburg (D.C. Circuit; NYU Law), Behavioral Law & Economics: Its Origins, Fatal Flaws, and Implications for Liberty, is posted to SSRN and now published in the Northwestern Law Review. Here is the abstract: Behavioral economics combines economics and psychology to produce a body of evidence that individual choice behavior ... Ginsburg & Wright on Behavioral Law and Economics: Its Origins, Fatal Flaws, and Implications for Liberty

Law and Economics Center Programs Invite Applicants!

The George Mason Law & Economics Center invites applications for the following five 2013 Workshops for Law Professors. Each Workshop offers a unique opportunity to join colleagues from around the country to learn from some of the most well-respected scholars in the law-and-economics field. There is no tuition, and all but one program provides hotel ... Law and Economics Center Programs Invite Applicants!

Josh Wright to be nominated to be next FTC Commissioner

Truth on the Market and the International Center for Law & Economics are delighted (if a bit saddened) to announce that President Obama intends to nominate Joshua Wright, Research Director and Member of the Board of Directors of ICLE and Professor of Law at George Mason University School of Law, to be the next Commissioner ... Josh Wright to be nominated to be next FTC Commissioner

Attention Economists and Economics Graduate Students: Want to Go to Law School for Free?

I have recently joined my colleague Bruce Johnsen as co-director of the Robert A. Levy Fellowship in Law and Liberty at GMU Law.  It is a very generous fellowship — a tuition waiver plus a generous stipend —  for economists who have their PhD’s or “ABD” status to come to law school on our dime along with ... Attention Economists and Economics Graduate Students: Want to Go to Law School for Free?