App Maker Uber Hits Regulatory Snarl - NYTimes.com

Disintermediation, take two

"The battle between Uber and city governments underscores the tension between lawmakers and technology companies at a time when Web sites and mobile apps can outmaneuver old rules. Services like Uber, Airbnb and Craigslist can cut out the middleman and lead to more efficient markets. But regulators say they could also put consumers at risk."

App Maker Uber Hits Regulatory Snarl - NYTimes.com