Convergence Conversation

A lobbying suggestion

The modern economy depends on the innovative use of new technology. Innovation is a key source of comparative advantage. We cannot compete with the developing economies in manufacturing and even services are being outsourced, so we must innovate. These are the kind of statements you always hear from European politicians and the truth is that they are at least partly right.  The European Commission has just released a paper identifying the following as the key challenges for the next stage of the Internet:

(1) continuing to update broadband infrastructure to improve accessibility and speeds;
(2) keeping the Internet open to new business models and innovation; and
(3) addressing privacy and security concerns.

Interestingly, the Commission does not directly address the fact that some European governments have pushed for network operators to take an active role in identifying and blocking users who engage in copyright infringement. There is substantial tension between the concept of having ISPs serve as inspectors and gatekeepers for copyright purposes and the policy goal of an open Internet with no gatekeepers.

I think "the Internet" (ie, the converged network of the future) should demand a more robust policy in Europe. Tell copyright owners, law enforcement agencies, governments and others that the Internet's future is open and that they simply cannot have to level of control that are demanding -- to optimise their own particular implementations of their own particular business models -- because the jobs of the legislators is to decide what is best for society as a whole.

While copyright is a very specific example of the tension between innovation (which requires openness) and the needs of the incumbents, there is a general point to be made. Hard cases, as the saying goes, make bad law. While it is no doubt very sad for major recording artists that their revenue from recorded music is falling, there is no case for the economic resources of society to be redirected to support them in the face of technological change. Apart from anything else, why them? Why not start with barrel makers or fullers? If, however, copyright law were to be changed to maximise the benefits to society as a whole (by reducing it to around 15 years maximum) then it would be reasonable for society to keep its side of the bargain and work harder to eradicate unauthorised copying.

It seems to me that if the Intellect is going to make a material difference to the state of the IT industry, then it ought to select a few core "campaign" points and structure messages around them.  Copyright reduction would be a great boost to the industry as a whole (and it's a vote winner), so why not start with that