The Progress & Freedom Foundation

The 2008 Aspen Summit, the premier annual event sponsored by The Progress & Freedom Foundation promises to continue its record of offering thought-provoking panels featuring prominent industry leaders, academia and policymakers. The Summit's focus on innovation enhancing policies will be reflected in the discussion panel topics, which will cover such issues as digital copyright enforcement, the global economy, communications infrastructure innovation, Internet service provider liability, and other international regulatory issues. Topics for the popular Working Dinners include patent reform, spectrum policy, online child safety and the emerging economic power of China. More...

Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Szoka to Join PFF
Visiting Fellow will Study E-Commerce and Privacy Issues

The Progress & Freedom Foundation (PFF) announced today that Berin Szoka has joined the Foundation as a Visiting Fellow. Szoka, most recently an Associate in the Communications Practice Group at Latham and Watkins LLP, will study a number of Internet policy issues at PFF, including privacy, intermediary immunity and online taxation. More...

Monday, April 28, 2008
"Free Culture" Akin to "Quasi-Socialist Utopianism"
PFF's Sydnor Shows That Lessig Would Replace Copyrights with a "Quasi-Socialist" System of Tax-Funded Art and Spyware-Powered Thought Police

Professor Lawrence Lessig and his book Free Culture, the manifesto of the "Free Culture Movement," support ham-handed government control of expression and pervasive government surveillance of what ordinary citizens read and watch, concludes Tom Sydnor in, "Tragedy and Farce: An Analysis of the Book Free Culture," a Progress on Point released today by The Progress & Freedom Foundation. In this paper, Sydnor makes two points. More...

Participants at a Congressional hearing on the recent spectrum auction proposed a variety of options for the "D block" allocated for public safety, which failed to attract a winning bid. These suggestions ranged from continuing the goal of a public-private partnership to re-auctioning the spectrum for commercial use with the proceeds being used to build a public safety communications network. At The Progress & Freedom Foundation's next CEO Luncheon on April 29th, Rivada Networks CEO Declan Ganley will discuss the "D Block" auction and future of public safety communications. More...

The failure of the "D Block" auction has prompted both the Federal Communications Commission and Congress to examine the terms and conditions for use of the spectrum. Will policy goals concerning public safety communications be re-evaluated? Will conditions on the spectrum be altered to ensure the spectrum is attractive to bidders in a possible re-auction? Tuesday, April 29th, Declan Ganley, CEO of Rivada Networks, will discuss these and related issues at a CEO Luncheon event hosted by The Progress & Freedom Foundation. More...

Government regulation mandating restrictive parental control defaults for media devices would likely have unintended consequences and would not achieve the goal of better protecting children from objectionable content, explains Adam Thierer in "The Perils of Mandatory Parental Controls and Restrictive Defaults." In the Progress on Point released today by The Progress & Freedom Foundation, the author warns of unintended incentives for industry to stop investing in parental controls and of creating a false sense of security for consumers. Instead, Thierer explains that increased educational efforts would be more effective in helping parents control their child's media consumption. More...

The Progress & Freedom Foundation this week elected Kathleen Abernathy to its Board of Directors. Abernathy served as Commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission from 2001 to 2005. Abernathy is credited with promoting regulatory symmetry for communications services during her time at the Commission to encourage competition within the sector. More...

The conclusion of the spectrum auction this week left a swath allocated for public safety unclaimed, leaving uncertainty regarding the future of the D-block. Rivada Networks CEO Declan Ganley and three experts on spectrum and public safety will discuss the future of public safety communications at an April 29th CEO Luncheon hosted by The Progress & Freedom Foundation. More...

In just less than a year, televisions stations will cease broadcasting analog signals. Are consumers and broadcasters prepared? What remains to be done to ensure that the February 2009 transition will be a smooth one? These and other policy issues surrounding the digital television transition were discussed at a February Congressional Seminar hosted by The Progress & Freedom Foundation. Today, PFF is releasing a transcript of the event, "Countdown to DTV: Making the 2009 Deadline Work." More...

Debates continue to rage about how to shield kids from the potential negative effects of various types of media or communications technologies. Is government intervention and regulation really needed to quell concerns, or do parents have access to constructive tools to control what their child sees and hears? To assist policymakers and parents, The Progress & Freedom Foundation is releasing an updated edition of Adam Thierer's Special Report, "Parental Controls and Online Child Protection: A Survey of Tools & Methods." The new version, Version 3.0, includes two new appendixes and updates to each section to reflect new parental control tools and programs developed in the last nine months. More...

The Progress & Freedom Foundation's 2008 Aspen Summit, being held August 17th - August 19th, promises to continue its record of offering thought-provoking panels and keynote speeches from prominent industry leaders, academia and policymakers. This year's theme, "Unlocking Innovation: Has the Key Been Misplaced?" reflects current debates regarding how public policy can best ensure continued innovation in the communications and technology sectors. An early registration discount for attendees will be offered until June 30th. More...

Wednesday, March 12, 2008
700 MHz "D Block" - What's Next?
Rivada Networks CEO Ganley to Discuss Spectrum Policy at April Luncheon

In the current spectrum auction, the 700 MHz "D Block" has failed to attract the $1.3 billion minimum reserve bid. The block has been allocated for use as a public-private partnership, carrying such obligations as national buildout requirements and pre-emption for public safety communications in the event of an emergency. Why has bidding in the "D Block" auction fail to meet the reserve price? What does the failure of the auction mean for the future of public safety communications? These issues will be discussed by Declan Ganley, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Rivada Networks, at an April 29th CEO Luncheon hosted by The Progress & Freedom Foundation. More...

Most disputes between programming distributors and sports content providers over carriage agreements are not based on market failure and do not require government oversight or intervention, stated Ken Ferree in testimony presented to the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. The market for sports programming, he explained, is competitive and carriage terms are best left to private negotiations. Therefore, government should refrain from imposing mandatory arbitration or pricing structures. More...

Adam Thierer, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Digital Media Freedom at The Progress & Freedom Foundation, has been asked to participate in the Internet Safety Technical Task Force to study online child safety protection on social networking websites. The task force, proposed in the social networking safety agreement earlier this year between MySpace and 49 state Attorneys General, will offer a report to the AGs with their findings and recommendations. The group will be chaired by John Palfrey, Executive Director of The Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard Law School, and will be comprised of respected child safety experts from academia, industry and non-profit organizations. More...

A performance-right for recording artists would correct a needless exception in U.S. copyright law, states Tom Sydnor in, "A Performance Right for Recording Artists: Sound Policy at Home and Abroad," a Progress on Point released today by The Progress & Freedom Foundation. In addition, Sydnor concludes, the Passage of the Performance Rights Act would harmonize U.S. copyright law with those of other countries, benefiting both U.S. recording artists and the U.S. economy. More...

Barbara Esbin will join The Progress & Freedom Foundation next month as Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Communications and Competition Policy. Esbin has nearly fifteen years of service as a senior official with the Federal Communications Commission. Her policy expertise, acquired over two separate engagements at the Commission, spans wireline, wireless, cable, DBS and media issues. Between her two stints at the FCC, Esbin was a partner in a prominent DC communications law firm, specializing in cable and broadband regulatory issues. More...

Declan J. Ganley, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Rivada Networks, a company that designs and deploys broadband public safety communications networks, will speak at The Progress & Freedom Foundation's next CEO Luncheon. Ganley's remarks will focus on issues involving public safety networks and the communications industry. Ganley's address will be followed by a panel discussion between Ganley and several distinguished communications industry analysts. The event, scheduled for April 29th, will be moderated by Foundation President Ken Ferree. More...

Recent petitions urging the Federal Communications Commission to prohibit certain traffic management tools fail to acknowledge the complexities of broadband networks, explain PFF President Ken Ferree and Senior Fellow Bret Swanson in comments filed today with the agency. Ferree and Swanson note that traffic shaping is used, and accepted, by a multitude of other industries and federal intervention in broadband traffic management would undermine the property rights of network operators. More...

Monday, February 11, 2008
DTV Transition Event This Friday
Speakers to Assess State of Digital Television Conversion at Luncheon Event

With the digital television transition deadline fast approaching, some have voiced concern over implementation of the switch. What can industry and government agencies do to ensure consumers and broadcasters are prepared? This Friday, panelists will evaluate the state of the transition at "Countdown to DTV: Making the 2009 Deadline Work," a congressional seminar hosted by The Progress & Freedom Foundation. More...

The Progress & Freedom Foundation and the Center for Democracy & Technology today announced a joint project that tracks the variety of bills in the current congress aimed at protecting children online. The index will serve as a comprehensive resource for the public and the media, describing all legislation seeking to regulate Internet communications or online media content in order to protect children. The report will be updated occasionally to reflect ongoing efforts in Congress relating to online child safety. More...

Ensuring the digital television transition is successful remains a top concern for policymakers, as illustrated by the upcoming hearing in the Senate Commerce Committee to assess the state of the conversion. On Friday, February 15th, panelists will assess and discuss the plan at "Countdown to DTV: Making the 2009 Deadline Work," a congressional seminar hosted by The Progress & Freedom Foundation. The event will include opening remarks from Meredith Attwell Baker, Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. More...

In one year, televisions stations will cease broadcasting analog signals. Are consumers and broadcasters prepared? Has the government adequately provided the tools and resources to ensure a successful transition? What remains to be done to ensure that the February 2009 transition will be a smooth one? These and other policy issues surrounding the digital television transition will be discussed at "Countdown to DTV: Making the 2009 Deadline Work," a congressional seminar hosted by The Progress & Freedom Foundation. More...

The joint effort MySpace.com and 49 state Attorneys General announced Monday to better protect children online should be embraced by other social networking sites, explains Adam Thierer in "The MySpace-AG Agreement: A Model Code of Conduct for Social Networking?," a Progress on Point released today by The Progress & Freedom Foundation. Despite some concerns, Thierer concludes the guidelines create a superior alternative to federal or state regulation of social networking sites. More...

Today in New York City, social networking website operator MySpace.com announced a joint effort with America's Attorneys General aimed at better protecting children online. MySpace and the AGs unveiled a "Joint Statement on Key Principles of Social Networking Safety" involving expanded online safety tools, improved education efforts, and law enforcement cooperation. They also agreed to create an industry-wide Internet Safety Technical Task Force to study online safety tools, including a review of identity authentication technology. More...

Thursday, December 27, 2007
Cyber Safety in a Web 2.0 World
Authors Assess Parents' and Government's Role in Online Child Safety

As the Internet becomes more entwined in young people's lives, parents are finding they need assistance in teaching their children how to stay safe online. Leading experts at the October 3rd book event "Cyber Safety in a Web 2.0 World: What Parents and Policymakers Need to Know," discussed their respective books on online child safety and the best tools and methods available to parents. The event also featured an address by Representative Melissa Bean (D-IL 8th), author of the SAFER NET Act, which supports educational efforts as the appropriate role of the government in online child safety. Today, PFF is releasing a transcript of the event. More...

Bret Swanson has joined The Progress & Freedom Foundation as a Senior Fellow and Director of PFF's new Center for Global Innovation. The new Center will address the global nature of the digital economy and will advocate openness and innovation through free trade, stable monetary policy and limited international regulation. More...

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted today to loosen the restrictions on cross-ownership of newspaper and television stations in select markets. Adam Thierer, Senior Fellow and Director of The Center for Digital Media Freedom at The Progress & Freedom Foundation had the following comments: More...

The Ninth Edition of The Progress & Freedom Foundation's "Digital Economy Fact Book" was released today and is available on the PFF web site. The resource guide features an expanded section on international data, reflecting the global importance of the digital economy. The reference book was co-written by Stephen McGonegal, President of Independent Analysis, Inc., and PFF Research Associate Daniel B. Britton. Sam Eckman and Grant Eskelsen also provided extensive research assistance for the publication. More...

The marginal cost of a good is not usually a relevant factor when crafting intellectual property policy, explains Solveig Singleton in "Jargonomics: Intellectual Property and Marginal Cost," released today by The Progress & Freedom Foundation. Drawing on definitive work by economists such as Baumol, Coase, and others, Singleton explains that marginal costs estimates are based on models of static efficiency, not dynamic efficiency, which is more relevant to policymakers. More...

This past June, The Progress & Freedom Foundation hosted "Broadband Data: What Do They Tell Us and Do We Have Enough?" a discussion about the availability and reliability of broadband deployment and adoption data. Participants in the two panel discussions explored the current availability of broadband data, how such data are collected, and what else should be done to craft informed broadband policies. To coincide with the recent introduction of a bill to improve the quality of broadband data, PFF is releasing a transcript of the event. More...

The Progress & Freedom Foundation announced today that W. Kenneth Ferree has been chosen for the position of President of the think tank. Ferree, a former Chief of the Media Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission, is a noted expert on communications and media issues. More...

Today, the Progress and Freedom Foundation released a new report on inadvertent filesharing by the authors of Filesharing Programs and "Technological Features to Induce Users to Share," a groundbreaking analysis published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in March of 2007. This new report, "Inadvertent Filesharing Sharing Revisited: Assessing LimeWire's Responses to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform," seeks to enhance understanding of the causes of inadvertent sharing by analyzing (1) recently released data that the distributors of the program LimeWire gave to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform before its July 24, 2007 hearing on inadvertent sharing, and (2) the efficacy of efforts to improve the LimeWire program since the Committee's hearing. The authors conclude that law enforcement should investigate whether filesharing programs deliberately perpetuate inadvertent filesharing. More...

The Federal Communications Commission should refrain from regulating technical standards in the cable industry, explains Adam Thierer in "Unplugging Plug-and-Play Regulation," a Progress on Point released today by The Progress & Freedom Foundation. The author warns that leaving standards creation in control of the government, as opposed to private negotiation, would do little to benefit consumers. Instead, FCC-controlled standards could hinder the cable applications and platform market by restricting future development and innovation to inferior technology. More...

Today, Chairman Waxman, Ranking Member Davis, and 18 other members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission urging renewed investigation of the causes of inadvertent filesharing. The following statement may be attributed to Tom Sydnor, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for the Study of Digital Property at The Progress & Freedom Foundation. More...

New technologies that allow families to easily tailor their media consumption undermine the "pervasiveness" rationale for government regulation of content, explains Adam Thierer in "Parental Control Perfection? The Impact of the DVR and VOD Boom on the Debate over TV Content Regulation." In the Progress on Point released today by The Progress & Freedom Foundation, the author cites both the variety of family programming options now available and new technologies, such as digital video recorders (DVRs) and video on demand (VOD) services, as evidence that parents are fully empowered to control what media is consumed in their household. More...

Yesterday, a jury entered a $220,000 verdict in favor of the plaintiffs in the first file-sharing case to go to a jury trial. The following statement may be attributed to Tom Sydnor, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for the Study of Digital Property at The Progress & Freedom Foundation. More...

Wednesday, October 3, 2007
U.S. Patent Law Based on Natural Law
Academic Advisory Council Member Discusses Misinterpretation of "Privilege."

Critics who claim that patents have always been special legal privileges are misguided, explains Adam Mossoff in "Reevaluating the Patent 'Privilege,'" a new paper released today by the Progress & Freedom Foundation's Center for the Study of Intellectual Property (IPcentral.info). In the paper, Mossoff explains that some legal scholars misinterpret the use of the term "privilege" as it was used in early years of the American Republic. The term referred to what we now call a civil right and was justified by natural rights philosophy. This explains why early American legislators and judges expanded and extended the property rights in patents. More...

Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Book Event: Child Online Safety
Discussion Panel to Address Roles for Parent, Policymakers

On October 3rd, authors of three recent books on keeping children safe online will participate in a panel discussion on the variety of tools and methods available to parents for ensuring minors are protected from unwanted content and contact on the Internet. "Cyber-Safety in a Web 2.0 World: What Parents and Policymakers Need to Know," an event host by The Progress & Freedom Foundation, will feature debate and discussion on both parental tools and the role of government in protecting children. Representative Melissa Bean (D-IL 8th), sponsor of a bill promoting Internet safety education, is scheduled to speak at the event. More...

Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Wallsten Urges Caution in Broadband Policy
PFF's Wallsten Testifies Before U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business

( See also related slides - "Everything You Hear About Broadband in the U.S. is Wrong." by Scott Wallsten)

Current trends in the broadband market illustrate little reason for widespread concern, explained Scott Wallsten in written testimony presented today to the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business. Wallsten cautioned against Congressional intervention in the quickly evolving industry and instead urged the Committee to concentrate on better data collection regarding broadband deployment and to remove barriers to entry into the market. More...

Monday, September 24, 2007
PFF Initiates Search for Next President

The Progress & Freedom Foundation announced today that it has initiated a formal search process for its next president. The Foundation also said it has accepted the resignations of Acting President Thomas M. Lenard and Vice President for Development Garland McCoy. More...

Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Tribe: New Content Regulations Betray First Amendment
Harvard University Professor Discusses Freedom of Speech at PFF's Aspen Summit

Government attempts to regulate television violence "run afoul of the First Amendment," Harvard University Professor Laurence H. Tribe told attendees at The Progress & Freedom Foundation's 2007 Aspen Summit. In his speech, Tribe explained that although the U.S. Supreme Court has historically been slow to apply First Amendment principles when dealing with new technologies, recent trends in the courts vindicate the constitutional right of free speech. Today, PFF is releasing a transcript of Professor Tribe's remarks from the conference. More...

Friday, September 7, 2007
Cyber-Safety in a Web 2.0 World
Rep. Bean, Sponsor of the “SAFER NET Act,” to Speak at October 3rd Event

What tools are available to parents who are concerned about protecting their children from exposure to unwanted content and unwanted contact on the Internet? What is the role of policymakers in promoting the safety of children online? These and other questions will be discussed Wednesday, October 3rd by panelists at "Cyber-Safety in a Web 2.0 World: What Parents and Policymakers Need to Know," an event host by The Progress & Freedom Foundation. Representative Melissa Bean (D-IL 8th), is scheduled to speak at the event. More...

Thursday, August 30, 2007
Schmidt Calls for "Free and Open" Internet
PFF Publishes Google CEO's Remarks from 2007 Aspen Summit

The global growth of the Internet has spurred by the principles of open standards and interoperability, Google, Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Eric Schmidt told attendees at The Progress & Freedom Foundation's 2007 Aspen Summit. In his speech, Schmidt outlined four "calls to action" to ensure the continued growth of the Internet: protecting freedom of speech, promoting universal broadband access, assuring network neutrality and making government more transparent. PFF is publishing a transcript of Dr. Schmidt’s remarks and the subsequent question and answer session from the Summit's Chairman's Dinner on August 21st. More...

Monday, August 27, 2007
2007 Aspen Summit Videos Now Available Online
Videos of Keynotes, Discussion Panels Accessible from PFF Website

Videos of the keynote addresses and panel discussions from the 2007 Aspen Summit, "Making Markets - Critical Information Policy Choices," are now available on The Progress & Freedom Foundation website. This year's event featured speeches from Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, Inc., Professor Dale W. Jorgenson from Harvard University, FTC Commissioner William E. Kovacic, and Harvard Law School Professor Laurence H. Tribe. More...

Monday, August 20, 2007
Sydnor to Lead PFF's Intellectual Property Efforts
IP Expert to be Senior Fellow, Director of the Center for the Study of Intellectual Property

Thomas Sydnor will join The Progress & Freedom Foundation next month as a Senior Fellow and PFF's Director of the Center for the Study of Digital Property (IPcentral). Sydnor offers the Foundation over a decade of expertise in intellectual property law and policy, most recently serving as a copyright advisor in the Office of International Relations at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. More...

Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Aspen Working Dinners Address Key Policy Issues
Topics Include Spectrum Markets, Content Regulation, Digital Content Protection and Online Privacy

The Progress & Freedom Foundation has finalized the agenda for the 2007 Aspen Summit, "Making Markets - Critical Information Policy Choices," scheduled for August 19th - August 21st. In addition to two full days of keynote speakers and discussion panels, the Summit will offer four informal, off-the-record working dinners on the pertinent topics of spectrum, regulation of media content, evolving business models for digital content and online privacy. A complete list of all working dinner panelists is now available on the PFF website. More...

Thursday, August 9, 2007
CPNI Rule Will Harm Business and Consumers
Lenard and Rubin Cite High Costs, Minimal Consumer Benefits from Restrictions

Recent actions to further restrict use of customer proprietary network information (CPNI) by the Federal Communications Commission and Congress could result in substantial costs to businesses and consumers with no or minimal offsetting benefits, conclude Thomas Lenard and Paul Rubin in "Privacy and the Commercial Use of Personal Information: The Case of Consumer Proprietary Network Information," released today by The Progress & Freedom Foundation. Such restrictions interfere with legitimate information uses, such as targeted marketing, and cause inefficiency in the communications market. More...

Thursday, August 9, 2007
Leaders of the Digital Economy to Convene at the 2007 Aspen Summit
Speakers Include Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Ambassador David Gross, Harvard Economist Dale Jorgenson, FTC Commissioner William Kovacic, FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell, Harvard Law Professor Laurence H. Tribe

In just over one week, leading executives, policy makers, academia and other luminaries involved with shaping the information economy will gather at The Progress & Freedom Foundation's 13th Annual Aspen Summit, "Making Markets - Critical Information Policy Choices." The Summit, scheduled for August 19th - August 21st, promises to continue its record of offering high caliber speakers and thought provoking discussion on such pertinent issues as telecommunications policy, online child protection, and markets for digital content. The current agenda can be found here. More...

Tuesday, August 7, 2007
New Aspen Summit Panel Announced: Property Rights and Patent Reform
Experts Will Discuss Patent System’s Record and Implications for Patent Reform

The 13th Annual Aspen Summit, hosted by The Progress & Freedom Foundation (PFF) will highlight critical policy challenges facing the communications and information technology sectors. A new panel announced today, "Property Rights and Patent Reform," will explore fundamental questions concerning the well-being of the patent system as a property rights regime, its effects on innovation, and the implications for patent reform. More...

Thursday, August 1, 2007
The Progress & Freedom Foundation's Adam Thierer Releases New Paper Regarding S. 602, "The Child Safe Viewing Act of 2007"
Thierer Writes: "There is No Need for Congress or the FCC to Mandate Tools That Already Exist"

Adam Thierer, Senior Fellow with The Progress and Freedom Foundation and the director of its Center for Digital Media Freedom, today released a new paper exploring the implications of S. 602, the "Child Safe Viewing Act of 2007." The measure marks an important turning point in the ongoing battle over content regulation in the information age and is scheduled to be considered by the Senate Commerce Committee this week. More...

Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Harvard Professor Dale Jorgenson to Offer Keynote Address at Aspen Summit
Economist to Discuss, "Whatever Happened to the New Economy?" in the Wake of the Dot-Com Crash

Dale Jorgenson, The Samuel W. Morris University Professor at Harvard University, will address attendees at the 13th annual Aspen Summit on Monday, August 20th with a keynote address titled, "Whatever Happened to the New Economy?" More...

Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Senior Fellow Scott Wallsten Releases New Paper: "Has Deregulation Affected Investment in Special Access?"
Analysis Suggests Deregulation of Special Access Has Had Positive Effects on Investment

Scott Wallsten, Senior Fellow and Director of Communications Policy Studies at The Progress & Freedom Foundation, today released the results of new research on the effects of special access deregulation in a paper titled, "Has Deregulation Affected Investment in Special Access?" Wallsten’s paper explores the relationship between deregulation ("pricing flexibility") and investment in special access. More...

Thursday, July 26, 2007
New Aspen Summit Panel Announced: "Let's Make a Deal: Getting Content & Tech to the Table"
Experts to Discuss Copyright Issues in a Rapidly Evolving Digital World

The 13th Annual Aspen Summit hosted by The Progress & Freedom Foundation (PFF) will highlight the challenges that information and media sector providers face in a digital world. A new panel announced today, "Let's Make a Deal: Getting Content & Tech to the Table," will explore the sensitive and highly charged copyright issues faced by content creators and distributors. More...

Monday, July 23, 2007
Eric Schmidt to Keynote 2007 Aspen Summit
Google Chairman and CEO to Speak at Chairman's Dinner on August 21st

The Progress & Freedom Foundation (PFF) will continue its long tradition of distinguished Chairman's Dinner speakers at the 13th Annual Aspen Summit when Google Chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt will address attendees on Tuesday, August 21st. More...

Thursday, July 12, 2007
The Progress & Freedom Foundation Urges Negotiation in Case of Cartoon Network v. CSC Holdings While Supporting Lower Court Ruling
In Filing with Second Circuit Court of Appeals, PFF’s Solveig Singleton Writes that Previous Decision Does Not Suppress Technology; but Distributors and Creators Alike Must Come to the Bargaining Table

Solveig Singleton, Senior Adjunct Fellow of The Progress & Freedom Foundation (PFF) filed comments today with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Cartoon Network v. CSC Holdings, asking the court to affirm the ruling of the lower court to block the cable operator's plans to roll out a network-based digital video recorder (DVR) service. In the filing, Singleton argues that the District Court properly applies the case law concerning direct liability for infringement on Cablevision. More...

Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Free Speech, Parental Controls, and Online Safety to be Discussed at 2007 Aspen Summit
Harvard Prof. Laurence Tribe and Representatives from
AT&T, Entertainment Software Association, Microsoft, MySpace, and others to Discuss Free Speech Issues in a Multimedia World

The 13th Annual Aspen Summit hosted by The Progress & Freedom Foundation (PFF) will highlight the challenges that information and media sector providers face in a multimedia world. Toward that end, this year's event will feature a panel and a dinner discussion about free speech-related public policy issues as well as a keynote address on the future of the First Amendment by noted Harvard University constitutional law scholar Laurence Tribe. More...

Monday, July 9, 2007
Complexity of Market, Platforms Must be Considered in Antitrust Review of XM-Sirius Merger
In Filing, Progress & Freedom Foundation's Scott Wallsten Writes That Officials Should Consider Not Only Subscribers, but also Content Providers and Competing Platforms

The Progress & Freedom Foundation's (PFF) Scott Wallsten today filed comments regarding the proposed XM-Sirius merger at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Wallsten, PFF Senior Fellow and Director of Communications Policy Studies, explains that this merger poses unique new challenges for antitrust officials.

Monday, July 9, 2007
Aspen Summit Early Registration Extended Through July 13th

The Progress & Freedom Foundation (PFF) is pleased to announce an extension of the early registration discount for the 13th Annual Aspen Summit, to be held August 19th - August 21st. The deadline, originally set for June 30th, has been extended through Friday, July 13th, to accommodate the 4th of July holiday and allow participants to take advantage of the lower rate. More...

Tuesday, July 3, 2007
PFF, CEPS Host Joint Event on Online Privacy & Consumer Confidence
Brussels Event to Explore Policy Approaches in Europe and U.S.

The Progress & Freedom Foundation (PFF) and the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) will be co-hosting the first in a series of seminars on information technology policy issues on Wednesday, July 11th from 12:30 to 14:30 in Brussels, Belgium. The luncheon seminar will explore online privacy concerns facing Europe and the U.S. "Online Privacy and Consumer Confidence: Regulatory Issues in the United States and Europe" will assemble policymakers and academics to discuss and debate policy best practices and compare the approach currently adopted in the US and EU on this issue. The conference agenda can be found on the PFF and CEPS websites. More...

Friday, June 29, 2007
Telecommunications Industry Experts & Leaders to Convene at 2007 Aspen Summit
Representatives from Comcast, the Federal Communications Commission, Skype, Stanford University, and Verizon to Discuss Telecommunications Policy in a Converged World

The 13th Annual Aspen Summit hosted by The Progress & Freedom Foundation (PFF) will highlight the challenges, opportunities, and risks facing the information sector in a climate of rapidly evolving markets and business models. This year's event, titled "Marking Markets - Critical Information Policy Choices," includes a panel on how telecom policy should adapt to handle new realities in a converged world. More...

Friday, June 29, 2007
Progress & Freedom's Scott Wallsten Releases Document on Broadband Rankings, "Everything You Hear About Broadband in the U.S. is Wrong"

Scott Wallsten, Director of Communications Policy Studies at The Progress and Freedom Foundation, today released slides from a presentation titled "Everything You Hear About Broadband in the U.S. is Wrong." Wallsten is critical of OECD numbers that suggest that America's position in international broadband rankings is declining. Wallsten's analysis comes as Congress and The Federal Communications Commission are considering in greater detail broadband data collection and public-private initiatives. More...

Friday, June 22, 2007
PFF's Adam Thierer Testifies at House Hearing on "Images Kids See on the Screen"
In Testimony Before Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, Thierer Encourages Parental Involvement in Managing Media Content

In written testimony delivered today before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, The Progress & Freedom Foundation's (PFF) Adam Thierer once again urged parents to take control and use the tools at their disposal to manage the media choices of their children. Thierer, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Digital Media Freedom at PFF, focused on enabling and tailoring tools that are equally applicable to all major media platforms, or all screens children might view. More...

Thursday, June 21, 2007
The Progress & Freedom Foundation's Scott Wallsten Urges FCC to Approve Emergency Cap on Size of Federal Universal Fund
"The Joint Board's proposal is an Excellent First Step in Addressing the Costly Growth In High-Cost Subsidies," Writes Wallsten in Filing, States that FCC Could Help Consumers by Adopting Cap on Funding

Scott Wallsten, Senior Fellow and Director of Communications Policy Studies at The Progress & Freedom Foundation (PFF) filed comments today with the FCC supporting a cap on the high-cost support funds that Competitive Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (CETC) receive. In the filing, Wallsten urges the Commission to recognize that resources are scarce and funds must be allocated carefully. More...

Wednesday, June 20, 2007
The Progress & Freedom Foundation Announces Theme for 2007 Aspen Summit: "Making Markets - Critical Information Policy Choices"
Early Registration Discount Offered Until June 30th. Confirmed Speakers Include Prominent Leaders from FCC, FTC, Harvard, Stanford, Comcast, Microsoft, TiVo, and Skype.

The Progress & Freedom Foundation today announced that the 2007 Aspen Summit, to be held August 19 – August 21st, will bring together thought leaders to address the theme of "Making Markets - Critical Information Policy Choices." This year's theme - "Making Markets - Critical Information Policy Choices" - reflects the challenges, opportunities, and risks facing the information sector in a climate of rapidly evolving markets and business models. An early registration discount for attendees will be offered until June 30th. Further details about the 2007 PFF Aspen Summit at the St. Regis Hotel in Aspen, Colorado can be found on our web site and registration can be performed online. More...

Tuesday, June 19, 2007
The Progress & Freedom Foundation Hosts Event to Explore: "Broadband Data: Do We Have Enough?"

Experts to Discuss Broadband Statistics and their Policy Implications. Event to Take Place Thursday, June 28, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the National Academy of Sciences 2100 C St., NW Washington, DC

The Progress & Freedom Foundation today announced confirmed panelists for a special event on June 28th, “Broadband Data: What Do They Tell Us and Do We Have Enough?” Experts from academia, industry, think tanks, journalism, and interest groups will convene to discuss what we do and do not know about broadband in the U.S., and what data decision-makers need in order to formulate smart policies.. More...

Monday, June 18, 2007
The Progress & Freedom Foundation Welcomes John Duffy as Adjunct Fellow
GW Law Professor and Nationally Recognized Specialist in Intellectual Property and Administrative Law Will Join Panel Discussion to Discuss Patent Reform Legislation on Friday, June 22nd

The Progress & Freedom Foundation today is pleased to announce the appointment of John Duffy as an Adjunct Fellow. Duffy is a nationally recognized specialist in intellectual property and administrative law, as well as the co-author of the leading casebook on patent law. More...

Friday, June 15, 2007
The Complexities of Regulating TV Violence
PFF Releases Transcript of May Panel Featuring Comments from Former FCC General Counsel and Other Experts. Moderator Adam Thierer to Host Book Event Wed. June 20th About Parental Controls and Online Child Protection

A recent Federal Communication Commissions report on violent television programming and its effect on children, argued that the government should assume a greater role in regulating programming. Is such regulation necessary? How would "excessively violent" content be defined by regulators? These issues were debated Friday, May 18th by panelists at "The Complexities of Regulating TV Violence" a seminar hosted by The Progress & Freedom Foundation (PFF). In light of continuing legislative efforts to address these concerns, PFF is releasing a transcript of the event. More...

Thursday, June 14, 2007
PFF President Thomas Lenard Urges FCC Not to Adopt New Net Neutrality Regulation
"It Makes No Sense to Be Concerned with Hypothetical Market Power Issues," Argues Lenard in Filing, Writes that Net Neutrality Inhibits Investment that Would Benefit Consumers

Thomas Lenard, acting President of The Progress & Freedom Foundation (PFF) filed comments today with the FCC on the Commission's Notice of Inquiry on Broadband Industry Practices adopted March 22, 2007. In the filing, Lenard urges the Commission not to adopt a new Net Neutrality regulation that would subject broadband providers to an open access requirement. More...

Tuesday, June 12, 2007
The Effect of Supreme Court Decisions on Patent Reform Legislation
Panelists to Discuss How Supreme Court Decisions Have Affected Current Legislative Proposals for Patent Reform

The Progress & Freedom Foundation presents a panel discussion focusing on how certain Supreme Court Decisions such as eBay v. MercExchange, MedImmune v. Genentech and KSR v. Teleflex have affected current legislative proposals for patent reform and how the possibility of further action at the Supreme Court may affect the ongoing legislative process. Experts will address: the enhanced possibility for declaratory judgments on patent validity, the current litigation process, granting the PTO a substantive rulemaking authority, and whether proposed legislative changes may “reform” patent law. More...

The Progress & Freedom Foundation today announced a high-profile group of panelists for its June 20 th event at the National Press Club to introduce the new book by PFF Senior Fellow Adam Thierer, "Parental Controls and Online Child Protection." At the event, Thierer will provide an overview of the market for parental control tools, rating schemes, education efforts, and initiatives aimed at promoting online child safety. More...