What is the Mises Institute?

The Mises Institute is a non-profit organization that exists to promote teaching and research in the Austrian School of economics, individual freedom, honest history, and international peace, in the tradition of Ludwig von Mises and Murray N. Rothbard. Non-political, non-partisan, and non-PC, we advocate a radical shift in the intellectual climate, away from statism and toward a private property order. We believe that our foundational ideas are of permanent value, and oppose all efforts at compromise, sellout, and amalgamation of these ideas with fashionable political, cultural, and social doctrines inimical to their spirit.

Innovation has long been considered the lifeblood of human progress, driving advancements in technology, medicine, and countless other fields that improve our quality of life. At its core, the “right to innovate” represents the freedom to experiment, develop, and implement new ideas without undue restrictions. This right encompasses the ability to access foundational knowledge, collaborate with others, and disseminate discoveries for the benefit of society. However, the landscape of innovation is increasingly shaped by intellectual property (IP) laws—government interventions ostensibly designed to protect and incentivize creativity, but which often end up stifling the very innovation they claim to promote.Intellectual property laws, including patents, copyrights, and trademarks, grant