Tag: congress

The battle for the net continues after FCC erases net neutrality rules

An open internet is crucial for all creators, thinkers, and makers on the web As expected, yesterday the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted along party lines to repeal the 2015 Open Internet Order that ensured net neutrality in the United States. Without net neutrality, broadband providers like Comcast and Verizon will have free reign to … Read More “The battle for the net continues after FCC erases net neutrality rules”

Policy / advocacy / copyright reform

House bill would further politicize the Register of Copyrights

In January we urged the new Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden, to make sure that whoever she appoints as the next Register of Copyrights should put the public at the center of the work of the Copyright Office. Currently the Register leads the Copyright Office, an institution that sits within the Library of Congress. … Read More “House bill would further politicize the Register of Copyrights”

Policy / advocacy / copyright reform

Proposed U.S. law would weaken and postpone public access to publicly funded research

This week the U.S. House Representatives introduced H.R. 4186, the Frontiers in Innovation, Research, Science and Technology Act of 2014 (FIRST Act). The stated goal of the proposed law — “to provide for investment in innovation through scientific research and development, [and] to improve the competitiveness of the United States — is worthy and well … Read More “Proposed U.S. law would weaken and postpone public access to publicly funded research”

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Stop U.S. legislation that would block public access to publicly funded research

In December 2011 the U.S. House of Representatives introduced The Research Works Act (H.R.3699), a bill that will ban public access to publicly funded research. SPARC says, “Essentially, the bill seeks to prohibit federal agencies from conditioning their grants to require that articles reporting on publicly funded research be made accessible to the public online.” … Read More “Stop U.S. legislation that would block public access to publicly funded research”

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Urgent: Stop [U.S.] American censorship of the Internet

November 16 the U.S. Congress will hold hearings on a bill that would unfairly, recklessly and capriciously enable and encourage broad censorship of the Internet in the name of suppressing distribution of works not authorized by copyright holders. As Public Knowledge aptly summarizes, the “Stop Online Piracy Act” would seriously “threaten the functioning, freedom, and … Read More “Urgent: Stop [U.S.] American censorship of the Internet”

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H.R. 1464 — The "OER Bill"

The open educational resources movement has been picking up steam lately, even attracting the attention of legislators. What’s hot in the new Persian year (aka the start of spring) is the recently introduced “OER Bill“. What’s that, you say? Well in its own words, it’s a bill “To require Federal agencies to collaborate in the … Read More “H.R. 1464 — The "OER Bill"”

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