Issues

Interoperability

Interoperability refers to the ability of diverse systems and organizations to work together. Although the term is often used in a technical sense, cultural, political and business factors can lead to data not being shared. Interoperability can be achieved through initial product design, collaboration in product development, standards, and licensing design.

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TAP Blog

John Palfrey and Urs Gasser of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society released a three-party study to gain a deeper understanding of the role interoperability plays as an enabler of innovation and creativity in international trade.
John Palfrey and Urs Gasser, both directors with Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society, recently published their latest book, "Interop: The Promise and Perils of Highly Interconnected Systems.” TAP recently had the opportunity to talk with the authors about interoperability and a few key points their newest collaboration presents.

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Fact Sheets

Interoperability

When two or more devices, systems, or networks are made to work together, the systems are said to be “interoperable.” Interoperability issues often arise when systems offered by different firms are deployed simultaneously, or when old and new versions of a product from the same firm are deployed.

Quote

Liberty Media Unit Says Standards Manipulated By Competitors

"There should be a concern. The standard-setting process can be used to manipulate the standards to be closer to what one company wants." — Nicholas Economides, Professor of Economics, New York University

Nicholas Economides
Forbes
October 12, 2011

Featured Article

Higher Standards: Regulation in the Network Age

The author argues that the FCC should move towards a standards-based approach to overseeing digital networks.

By: Kevin Werbach