top of page

Regulation tomorrow: What happens when technology is faster than the law?

Reference Type: 

Journal Article

Fenwick, Mark, Wulf A. Kaal, and Erik P. M. Vermeulen. 2017. “Regulation tomorrow: What happens when technology is faster than the law?” American University Business Law Review 6 (3): 561–94. https://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1028&context=aublr

In an age of constant, complex and disruptive technological innovation, knowing what, when, and how to structure regulatory interventions has become more difficult. Regulators find themselves in a situation where they believe they must opt for either reckless action (regulation without sufficient facts) or paralysis (doing nothing). Inevitably in such a case, caution tends to trump risk. But such caution merely functions to reinforce the status quo and makes it harder for new technologies to reach the market in a timely or efficient manner. The solution: lawmaking and regulatory design needs to become more proactive, dynamic, and responsive. So how can regulators actually achieve these goals? What can regulators do to promote innovation and offer better opportunities to people wanting to build a new business around a disruptive technology or simply enjoy the benefits of a disruptive new technology as a consumer?

Download Reference:

Search for the Publication In:

Formatted Reference:

bottom of page