Innovation Policy Post

Last week, Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced S. 1965 (the Startup Act). CCIA applauds the bill as a farsighted proposal to unleash the power of U.S. entrepreneurs and harness it for the creation of jobs. In particular, CCIA commends Sen. Moran and Sen. Warner for their focus on attracting and retaining entrepreneurial talent, and for including provisions on conditional visas for advanced STEM degree holders and immigrant entrepreneurs.

While we join with Net Coalition in providing legislative language responses to H.R. 3261, we feel it is also important to separately clarify our industry’s view of itself and our role in the process of finding intelligent, balanced approaches to the challenges and opportunities resulting from the rapidly changing and often confusing digital and Internet world.

CCIA, our member companies, and many others in our industry are deeply proud that at the core, our businesses also serve extremely important public interests.

Last night the House of Representatives passed HR 3630 - legislation extending payroll tax cuts.  Tucked into the bill is authority for the FCC to conduct incentive auctions of wireless spectrum.  

What’s at stake and why should I care?

Rebecca MacKinnon’s recent editorial in the New York Times says it well: 

“Compliance with the Stop Online Piracy Act would require huge overhead spending by Internet companies for staff and technologies dedicated to monitoring users and censoring any infringing material from being posted or transmitted. This in turn would create daunting financial burdens and legal risks for start-up companies, making it much harder for brilliant young entrepreneurs with limited resources to create small and innovative Internet companies that empower citizens and change the world.”

Secretary Hillary Clinton told audiences connected in online broadcasts throughout the world Thursday that Internet freedom is a human rights issue and keeping the Internet open is a top diplomatic priority for the United States. The Netherlands hosted the Internet freedom event in the Hague along with a panel discussion at the Newseum in Washington DC. 

Online taxes has become a focus on Capitol Hill with various competing bills and last week the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on “Constitutional Limitations on States’ Authority to Collect Sales Taxes in E-Commerce.”  CCIA member eBay’s Vice President and Deputy General Counsel Tod Cohen was among those testifying before the Committee.