Free to Design: Florida Entrepreneurs Take On the Interior Design Cartel
Florida is ground zero in the nationwide battle to cartelize the interior design industry.
http://www.ij.org/economic_liberty/fl_interiordesign
A small group of well-funded industry insiders led by the American Society of Interior Designers has been relentless in its pursuit of ever more restrictive laws. Studies have shown that interior design regulations result in higher prices, less variety, and fewer employment opportunities, especially for minorities and older mid-career switchers.
On May 26, 2009, the Institute for Justice joined with three interior designers—Eva Locke, Pat Levenson and Barbara Gardner—and the National Federation of Independent Business to file a lawsuit in federal court in Tallahassee challenging Floridas interior design law.
The Institute for Justice is the nations leading legal advocacy group for economic liberty—the right to earn an honest living free from excessive and arbitrary regulation. IJ has successfully challenged anti-competitive interior design laws across the country. Floridas suit promises to be the biggest fight yet in the battle against the interior design cartel, and may finally put an end to restrictive interior design laws nationwide.
More on IJ’s interior design cases: http://www.ij.org/interiordesign
Duration : 0:3:27
[youtube X30V2EyRV9M]
August 5th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
The next time you …
The next time you lay your head down in a hotel room somewhere ask yourself a few questions. Are these curtains flame retardant ? What is the flame spread on this carpet? Do these swags and jabots meet ASTM standards? Was this room done by a decorator with a business card and a little flair or by a degreed, certified, licensed professional interior designer? An interior designer has the ability to cause a lot of harm to a lot of people. I put in my time and effort why can’t you do the same?
August 5th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
I agree with …
I agree with shimmers773. The fields of work are entirely different. Designers work closely with architects and are required to know codes, flammability requirements, durability, etc.. Decorators decorate - designers design. It’s simple.
August 5th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Why can’t we call …
Why can’t we call it what it is. If you have not gone to school to get the proper education to be an Interior Designer, then you should call yourself an Interior Decorator. These are two completely different fields of work. This is not about excluding people of different financial or ethnic backgrounds; this is about having the proper education and certification to call your self an Interior Designer. I don’t understand why we can’t call a decorator a decorator and a deisgner a designer.
August 5th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
I totally agree. …
I totally agree. True Interior design comes from creativity, experience and passion; neither of which can be taught in a class or received by obtaining a degree, license, or apprenticeship.
August 5th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
watch?v=x_9DMu2piAE
watch?v=x_9DMu2piAE
August 5th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
All of florida is …
All of florida is this corrupt.
August 5th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
LOL! 4 year …
LOL! 4 year apprenticeship to design people’s wallpaper? Sounds like the guilds of old.
August 5th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Outstanding video! …
Outstanding video! Be sure to pass on this video!
August 5th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
I hope the …
I hope the Institute for Justice wins this case.
In school, I was taught so much propaganda about how antitrust laws protect the public from “anti-competitive” monopolies and cartels. In fact, it is the federal government’s regulations that prop up cartels and impedes upon competition through tariffs and occupational licensing.