Global Free Internet Act Introduced In Congress

from the these-things-matter dept

Tue, Mar 5th 2013 1:08pm — Mike Masnick

Somehow, with little fanfare, last week Rep. Zoe Lofgren (along with Reps. Eshoo, Matsui and Honda) introduced the Global Free Internet Act of 2013, which appears to be a new version of a similar bill from last year. You should read the full bill yourselves, but it points to the importance of a "single, open, global internet," as well as certain things that might threaten that. Among the things it lists are important, are that we, as a country:

(A) encourage utilization on a global basis of technology standards set by international standards-setting organizations, including industry-led and other voluntary bodies, and selected by the market;
(B) respect the security of information, privacy, and speech of Internet users;
(C) promote investment in Internet-related innovation;
(D) refrain from compelling Internet service providers and other intermediaries to restrict the free flow of information on the Internet; and
(E) allow trade in Internet-related goods, services, information, and content.

And it worries about governments seeking to censor or constrain the internet by doing any of the following:

(A) mandating unique technology standards favoring domestic producers as a condition of market access or pursuing related policies regarding standard-setting that are discriminatory and subvert the open, global nature of the Internet;
(B) sponsoring or tolerating the use of Internet-related tools to gain unauthorized access to public-sector and private-sector networks in the United States to disrupt their operation;
(C) blocking, filtering, or otherwise restricting Internet communications in a manner that discriminates against Internet-based services and content originating in other countries;
(D) monitoring Internet use and communications in a manner that restricts individual privacy and freedom; and
(E) imposing market access requirements or liabilities that discriminate against or otherwise impede Internet-related goods, services and content from other countries.

It then goes on to create a task force to take on these issues, and to help the government promote the first list, while avoiding the second. It seems like a perfectly reasonable plan, with little controversial about it, which is why I wouldn't be surprised to see Congress ignore it.

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Filed Under: anna eshoo, doris matsui, global internet freedom act, internet freedom, mike honda, zoe lofgren

43 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:09pm

Fuck this hypocrisy shit.

Get rid, torch the place and start over.
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- Anonymous Coward, 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:11pm
  
  Re:
  Wait, no, my bad. Completely misread it. Still, the comment about Congressional hypocrisy stands..
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    Anonymous Coward, 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:20pm
    
    Re: Re:
    LMAO! Chicken Mike's faithful. Ready to grab the pitchfork at a moment's notice. Facts optional.
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    - Anonymous Coward, 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:22pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      Hey, at least I'm willing to say that I was too quick off the mark.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
        
        Anonymous Coward, 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:25pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        React first. Think later. Or not. Just like Mike teaches the flock.
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        silverscarcat (profile), 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:28pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        "React first. Think later. Or not. Just like the MPAA and RIAA preaches."
        
        FTFY
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        This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
        
        Anonymous Coward, 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:38pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Yes! Let's get those evil corporate suit bastards who bring us wonderful works of culture that we all enjoy. They should make that shit for free! Fuck them, I have a big hard drive and a fast modem. I am Techdirt. I decide whose rights are worthy of respect.
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        MichealBayIsDAbestYO, 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:43pm
        
        wait... wait...
        
        "wonderful" works of culture?
        
        *cough cough*
        
        oookay
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        This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
        
        Anonymous Coward, 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:48pm
        
        Re:
        Yes, it's so wonderful that I, like many of the Techdirt Crew, am willing to intentionally violate other people's rights to get it for "free." Free is so great, don't ya know? I fucking love "free."
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Anonymous Howard (profile), 6 Mar 2013 @ 4:58am
        
        Re: Re:
        The Troll/Comment ratio of this post is unusually high.
        Special interest group countermeasures already engaged.
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        MichealBayIsDAbestYO, 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:44pm
        
        they should seriously be paying us for some of that ""wonderful"" culture
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        This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
        
        Anonymous Coward, 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:51pm
        
        Re:
        Right! They should pay you for the privilege of spending time, money, energy, and skill in creating valuable works of art that you enjoy for free. Of course. That's what they should be doing. Have you seen how great Amanda Palmer is? Or Louis C.K.? I look at them and then am immediate ready to tell every major international IP rights holder how they should be doing their jobs. I use the word "economics," so that means I win. I'm awesome.
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        Anonymous Coward, 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:49pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        ...Everything is a rehash of a rehash of a rehash.
        
        For example, do you know what the most common story type is?
        
        The Hero's Journey. It can be traced back to early Indu times.
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        Anonymous Coward, 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:53pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        That's right. Nothing they create is new, so that means we should just take it for free. Fuck them. I decide whose rights are important. My rights? Uber important. I am fucking boss. I am so fucking cool and awesome. Their rights? Fuck them. I am Techdirt. I can run multinational corporations from my laptop.
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        Anonymous Coward, 6 Mar 2013 @ 3:58am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Keep on trolling. You've almost hit every single point the trolls trout out on copyright posts even when this one isn' t even related to copyright! Bravo!
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        silverscarcat (profile), 5 Mar 2013 @ 2:06pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        We stand on the backs of giants who came before us. We use their works to further ourselves and tell a new story.
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        silverscarcat (profile), 5 Mar 2013 @ 2:02pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        When said corporations continue to censor free speech in an attempt to make more money, while LYING about the money they make and suing everyone who innovates, yeah, I say we do fuck them.
        
        They aren't worth crap.
        
        Those corporations do NOT bring us stuff. They bring in creators who bring us stuff.
        
        I would MUCH rather give my money to the creator of a movie than a corporation.
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        Bengie, 5 Mar 2013 @ 2:10pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Non-free culture is a logical fallacy. Culture is something that is shared within society.
        
        I know, I know, just sarcastic humor.
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        hey, 5 Mar 2013 @ 3:50pm
        
        listen dip3333
        watching a guy shoot ping pong balls out his 222 is NOT culture no matter what MTV says!
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        Anonymous Coward, 5 Mar 2013 @ 6:53pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Can you point me to the last thing that either the MPAA or RIAA produced?
        
        And I am talking about either film or music, not the bullshit propaganda crap that they put out, or the creative reports that they make up
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        AC1, 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:59pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Sounds more like ICE to me
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- Anonymous Coward, 5 Mar 2013 @ 9:51pm
  
  Re:
  I am with you brother.
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jupiterkansas (profile), 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:35pm

It all sounds very nice, but what big corporation is going to pay to get that bill passed?
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- Anonymous Coward, 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:41pm
  
  Re:
  Google.
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  - jupiterkansas (profile), 5 Mar 2013 @ 2:05pm
    
    Re: Re:
    Then there is hope.
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    - DannyB (profile), 5 Mar 2013 @ 2:47pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      You mean: A New Hope.
      
      Until: The RIAA Strikes Back!
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      - silverscarcat (profile), 5 Mar 2013 @ 5:20pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        And then, the Return of the Public Domain?
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        Anonymous Coward, 5 Mar 2013 @ 9:37pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        In about five years. Unless Disney has anything to say about it.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:42pm

I wonder which Google lawyer wrote this for Lofgren.
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  Anonymous Coward, 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:53pm
  
  Re:
  All of them, especially the ones who live in her district.
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out_of_the_blue, 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:42pm

Nowadays, Congress always states opposite of real intentions...
so get ready for massive clamp-down.

Take a loopy tour of Techdirt.com! You always end up at same place!
http://techdirt.com/
Mike will soon announce T-shirts that he personally silk-screens! Just $1000 each! -- He's selling REAL scarcity as only one in 20 come out legible!
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  Anonymous Coward, 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:45pm
  
  Re: Nowadays, Congress always states opposite of real intentions...
  Does the t-shirt have fucking eagles on it? Put me down for two!
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  - Robert (profile), 5 Mar 2013 @ 2:20pm
    
    Re: Re: Nowadays, Congress always states opposite of real intentions...
    Turned on by birds copulating are we? That explains a lot!
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  - Techdirt Customer Service, 5 Mar 2013 @ 2:28pm
    
    Re: Re: Nowadays, Congress always states opposite of real intentions...
    Yes, there is a depiction of an eagle banging another eagle on the t-shirt. Your order is confirmed.
    
    Please check your email for a copy of your confirmation and shipment tracking information.
    
    Thanks you for your business!
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letherial (profile), 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:42pm

Congresses job is to fear monger, obstruct and throw fits...i dont believe that solving problems is in the job description anymore.

I think the senate and house channel on the tv is the new reality tv shows. Are you not entertained?
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- Rocco Maglio, 6 Mar 2013 @ 6:19am
  
  Re:
  I am having difficulty telling separating your description of Congress from President Obama. President Obama has been doing nothing but fear mongering about the sequester. The sequester was an idea that came out of the White House and was pitched to Congress. In October, President Obama was attacking the Republicans for trying to undo the sequester. How does President Obama avoid any blame for grinding the wheels of the government? I guess he does this by getting out front and blaming everyone else. Is this what passes for leadership now days.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:46pm

The Task Force
includes the USTR, and the secretary of Homeland Security.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Mar 2013 @ 1:47pm

Congress wont ignore it, it will completely block it, just as it does with everything that is sensible, that removes monopolies and stops 'campaign funds' from being 'donated'. such a shame when there is so much sense and reasonableness in the proposals that would do so much good for everyone
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- nasch (profile), 6 Mar 2013 @ 9:06am
  
  Re:
  Congress wont ignore it, it will completely block it
  
  That's the same thing isn't it? If they just refuse to vote on it, it dies.
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Ninja (profile), 6 Mar 2013 @ 2:08am

It seems like a perfectly reasonable plan, with little controversial about it, which is why I wouldn't be surprised to see Congress ignore it.

Stop stealing the insightful comments you filthy pirate. (!!)

However just bringing such issues into discussion is already a step forward. You know, water often goes through stone given enough time ;)
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- Torg (profile), 6 Mar 2013 @ 4:58am
  
  Re:
  It often takes thousands or millions of years, though. While I have every intention of living that long, I'd still rather not wait that long.
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txpatriot, 6 Mar 2013 @ 8:00am

Convene a task force -- yeah, THAT'LL show 'em!

I'm sure the rogue nations of the world are quivering in their boots at the mere THOUGHT of the "actionable recommendations" lurking within the covers of the soon-to-be-compiled-if-the-bill-even-passes task force report!

Heaven forbid it should gather dust on some policy-wonk's bookshelf like every other such task force report . . .
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Psyga Sanichigo (profile), 6 Mar 2013 @ 9:58am

Who's willing to bet that the Government will reject this bill in favor for Big Brother's bill?
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