It is not very clear from mr. Heimers article what precisely the innovation is that Europe 'stifles', when preventing Uber from exploiting its business model in countries where regulation indeed protects consumers from rogue entrepreneurs. The Uber business model is in itself parasitic, based entirely on the services rendered by untrained civilians who bypass regulation and who pay a fee to the app designers, who are in sole control of supply and demand (the only viable internet business model it seems, apart from selling advertising). The profits Uber makes (the app designers, that is) remain untaxed and are exported and probably just wasted, not re-invested, as an indigenous, well organized firm might do in its home country. But it is clear on the other hand that markets should always let newcomers in, albeit under the same conditions as others and that includes regulation. And if Italy is lagging behind, than the Italian government should do something about it, but as far as public transport is concerned, not change the mostly excellent and safe taxi services that are run in many Italian cities.