Monthly Archives: May 2014

Washington, D.C. –  The Internet Association’s President and CEO, Michael Beckerman issues the following statement regarding the status of patent reform in the Senate:

“The delay on a patent reform vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee is deeply disappointing. Patent abuse harms thousands of businesses – both small and large – from retailers to credit unions to main street businesses and the Internet community, as well as millions of consumers. Every day that reform is delayed is a win for patent trolls and a loss for hardworking Americans.

Last year, pro-reform stakeholders and consumer advocates united behind consensus patent reform legislation that passed the House of Representatives. It received the support of 325 Members of the House – a majority from both parties – and it was backed by President Obama. If it is not possible for the Senate Judiciary Committee to proceed with its own legislation, the Internet Association calls on Senate Majority Leader Reid to stand with innovators and bring the House-passed Innovation Act to the floor of the Senate for an up or down vote.”

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Washington, DC Trade Association Tops the Shortlist for International Awards Honoring Best of Web; Ceremony Will Be Available on WebbyAwards.com at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Washington, DC  – The Internet Association announced today that it has been named the Best Association Website in the 18th Annual Webby Awards. Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet. The IADAS, which nominates and selects The Webby Awards People’s Voice Winners, is comprised of web industry experts, including media mogul Arianna Huffington, Founder of Tumblr David Karp, Internet co-creator Vint Cerf, Mozilla CEO and Chair Mitchell Baker, Creator of the Gif Steve Wilhite, and mobile-phone inventor Martin Cooper. This year, over 1.5 million votes were cast by people around the world for their favorite sites, videos, ads, social, mobile sites and apps in The Webby People’s Voice Awards.

The Internet Association’s website incorporates cutting edge web design, functionality, and features. This platform includes an interactive take action center, individualized user experience, and incorporates a database of policy issues. Using the OpenGov Foundation’s Madison Project interface, Internet users can “mark up” important legislation impacting the Internet, leaving edits, comments and suggestions for improvement.

“The Internet Association has set the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet,” said David-Michel Davies, Executive Director of The Webby Awards. “This award is a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and vision of its creators.”

“Our website advances our mission to protect the freedom and innovation of the Internet,” The Internet Association President and CEO Michael Beckerman said. “The design is forward thinking, not only in aesthetics, but also in grassroots engagement. It helps empower the global community of Internet users to directly engage decision-makers on Internet policy issues.”

The Internet Association will be honored at the ceremony on Monday, May 19, 2014 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, where winners will have an opportunity to deliver one of The Webby Awards’ famous 5-Word Speeches. Highlights from last year’s 5-Word Speeches include: Pinterest’s “Pinterest loves you Ryan Gosling”; Bjork’s “A.E.I.O.U”; and Kevin Spacey & Dana Brunetti for House of Cards, “The Oscars should do this.” The show will be hosted by stand-up comedian, writer and actor, Patton Oswalt. Beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2014, fans may watch the show in On Demand at WebbyAwards.com.

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About The Internet Association:

The Internet Association, the unified voice of the Internet economy, represents the interests of the leading Internet companies including Airbnb, Amazon, AOL, eBay, Expedia, Facebook, Gilt, Google, IAC, LinkedIn, Lyft, Monster Worldwide, Netflix, Practice Fusion, Rackspace, reddit, Salesforce.com, SurveyMonkey, TripAdvisor, Twitter, Uber Technologies, Inc., Yelp, Yahoo!, and Zynga. The Internet Association is dedicated to advancing public policy solutions to strengthen and protect Internet freedom, foster innovation and economic growth, and empower users. http://www.internetassociation.org.

About The Webby Awards:

Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites, Interactive Advertising & Media, Online Film & Video, Mobile & Apps, and Social. Established in 1996, The Webby Awards received nearly 12,000 entries from all 50 states and over 60 countries worldwide this year. The Webby Awards is presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). Sponsors and Partners of The Webby Awards include: Microsoft, Dell, Vitamin T, MailChimp, Engine Yard, Funny or Die, AdAge, Percolate, Mashable, Business Insider, Internet Week New York and Guardian News and Media.

“The European Court of Justice’s recent ruling undermines the basic notions of free expression, which the Internet supports.  The ruling creates an unworkable system that not only puts search engines in a precarious position by requiring them to serve as arbiters for users’ rights, but also limits the public’s ability to access lawful information.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Internet Association’s President and CEO, Michael Beckerman issued the following statement regarding FCC’s proposal on net neutrality:

“The Internet Association supports strong nondiscrimination and no blocking rules to protect consumers, startups, and the continued innovation of the Internet economy. In the debate about keeping the Internet open there has been too much rhetoric surrounding the FCC’s legal tools. Protecting an open Internet, free from discriminatory or anticompetitive actions by broadband gatekeepers should be the cornerstone of Net Neutrality policy. The Internet Association will advocate for the FCC to use its full legal authority to enforce rules that lead to an open Internet — nothing should be taken off the table as this discussion evolves.

Broadband gatekeepers should not have the ability to create slow lanes and fast lanes on the Internet that discriminate against websites and harm users. We look forward to working with Chairman Wheeler and his fellow commissioners at the FCC to ensure that the Internet remains a vibrant platform for consumer choice and economic growth.”

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Today, The Internet Association submitted a letter supporting the announcement by NTIA to fully transition oversight authority over a set of technical functions to the multistakeholder community, provided certain specified principles are met.

To view the letter, click here.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Internet Association’s President and CEO Michael Beckerman issued the following statement regarding the White House report released today entitled, Big Data: Seizing Opportunities, Preserving Values:

“The Administration’s report reflects a useful examination into the ways that big data can improve people’s lives and our society. We appreciated the report’s thoughtful consideration of how we can adopt policies that promote these benefits, while avoiding discriminatory uses of big data that harm people. Now that the Administration has issued its report, it should turn its attention to the most pressing privacy priorities facing American consumers by working to adopt ECPA reform with no exceptions and to reform the government’s surveillance laws and practices.”

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