Friends of mine who are real movie buffs with an enviable
home theater and other wonderful rooms throw an annual Oscars party complete
with red carpet and guests dressed up as characters from the year’s hit
flicks. “Creative Hollywood” is
the attire. I’ve channeled June
Carter Cash, Amelia, and Black Swan.
This year I’m going much lower and darker…as a pirate. No…not of the Caribbean or of
Penzance. Of the Internet high
seas. Trying to convince my
husband to go as Kim Dotcom of MegaUpload infamy is, ahem, a taller (and
bigger) order. He prefers
Keith Richards, and looks like neither. But I digress.
As survivors of the recent lobbying wars over Congressional
legislation to help U.S. law enforcement deal extraterritorially with online
purveyors of counterfeit drugs and designer products, as well as illegally
obtained entertainment fare like songs, movies and sports events, we must
retain a sense of humor and of humility. The global Internet ecosystem is far more important to
the global economy and human interaction than any one country or industry
sector’s interests.
Commercial mobsters preying from afar on the international popularity of
American products are not imaginary. But all legitimate American businesses must work
together, as we expect diverse Members of Congress to do, to find sensible
constructive solutions. Some of
those solutions may include new business models and partnerships. Internet platforms present a
wealth of economic opportunities, not primarily threats. New voluntary measures to combat
online fraud are developed every year. Mixed stakeholder conversations may begin one on one
or in small groups, but to form public policy, eventually must involve wider
and wider circles of stakeholders, including thought leaders whom average
ordinary Internet users respect.
At the very least, complex groundbreaking legislation should not first
appear as a surprise on a fast track in Congress.
The secure global functioning of the Internet, like the
nuances of copyright law and the intricacies of the patent system are not
subjects that most Members of Congress learned in college or even law
school. The vast majority of
their constituents, even those who railed vigorously against SOPA and PIPA did
not major in these subjects either.
They did learn about civics, democracy and freedom of expression
however. And now Internet
technology is becoming an essential component of socioeconomic literacy in the
21st Century. No
industry sector alone has all the answers, but together older generations and
Millenials alike from business and government can and should embark on some
comprehensive adult education in these policy areas, and thereby bridge
unfortunate gaps in understanding.
Along with older well-established American businesses
relying on traditional political strategies, younger e-commerce businesses and
their users everywhere are now recognized as a force to be reckoned with in
Washington. Let’s all get on
with the creativity, innovation and openness that works so well in the
entertainment and technology fields.
And applaud and respect each other’s efforts. Just make wicked fun of the pirates, while plotting
their demise.
