The i2Coalition Public Policy Working Group is responsible for determining the specific responses for the i2Coalition in regards to global policy issues that are important to the Internet’s infrastructure. Recent achievements center around Net Neutrality and surveillance reform, achieved through engagement with the FCC and in support of the USA FREEDOM Act in the U.S., respectively. The Working Group is currently focusing attention on a number of important issues including patent troll reform.
The i2Coalition engages in policy matters in accordance with its General Mission Statement and meets regularly to discuss issues that arise that fall within our scope. Policy Group members take an active role in reviewing policy and writing briefs on behalf of i2Coalition that support the industry’s goals. The i2Coalition believes that an open and free Internet drives economic growth and enhances the lives of people around the globe. As an organization, we promote policies that foster continued development and expansion of the Internet.
Recent Public Policy Working Group projects include:
- We participate in the Digital Due Process Coalition (DDP) and delivered key Congressional sponsorships in a collective fight to reform the Electronics Communications Privacy Act (ECPA).
- We provided comments on the importance of an open Internet to maintain the continued growth of the cloud to the FCC in response to its Net Neutrality proposal.
- We led an aggressive advocacy campaign in five key cities to reform the patent system and to curb the patent troll litigation issues that devastate our industry.
- We were leaders in a coalition that helped drive core support for the USA FREEDOM Act, the largest reduction of U.S. surveillance authority in a generation, which passed in early 2015.
- We actively speak out against the expansion of Internet surveillance worldwide, including being a voice against Bill C-51 in Canada.
- We actively engage in the debate on the role of encryption in the digital economy.
- We submitted an amicus brief in the important Microsoft Ireland email privacy case.
- We’ve taken an important role in educating U.S. lawmakers on the IANA transition as part of our focus on the DOTCOM Act.
- We provided strategic counsel and comments on the proposed NIST cybersecurity framework.
Recent Updates On US Policy
i2Coalition Supports Senator Cornyn’s Patent Abuse Reduction Legislation
Washington, DC – Internet Infrastructure Coalition (i2Coalition) co-founder and Public Policy Working Group Chair David Snead released the following statement following Senator Cornyn’s introduction of the Patent Abuse Reduction Act of 2013: “i2Coalition applauds Senator Cornyn for taking action to stop frivolous lawsuits by Patent Assertion Entities (“patent trolls”) through the introduction of the Patent […]
i2Coalition Applauds House Vote to Preserve Internet Freedom
One of the core public policy principles of the i2Coalition is the belief that a multistakeholder process is essential in any discussion about the Internet governance process. The i2Coalition has taken an active role globally in support of this ideal. A multistakeholder process is critical in ensuring that the Internet continues to be an engine […]
i2Coalition Sends Letter Urging Legislative Action to Defeat Patent Trolls
Christian Dawson, Co-Founder and Board Chairman of the Internet Infrastructure Coalition (i2Coalition), sent a letter to Bob Goodlatte, Chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary, urging amendment of the U.S. Patent Act. The current version of the act does not protect small to medium-sized businesses from victimization and frivolous lawsuits by Patent Assertion Entities […]
PIPA vs. ECPA: A Story of Education
Remember SOPA and PIPA? Of course you do. While defeating this bad legislation was a great victory for the Internet and one that should not be undervalued, the bill’s defeat didn’t magically teach Congress how the Internet worked. A lack of Internet education continued to threaten the Internet’s future. Fast forward nine short months to […]