My Endorsement
I don’t have the slightest clout, influence, or power in this matter… and it probably comes as no surprise to folks who know me or read this blog. I’m endorsing Barack Obama for President of the United States in the November 2008 election.
Never mind that I’ve been a registered Democrat since my first presidential election in 1988. Never mind that I don’t want to see any one party in the executive branch for twelve years straight. I think Obama is the better choice for the country at this time in our history.
Most people look at the choices in an election through the lens of the issues that matter most to them as individuals. Obama’s position on the future of the Internet and intellectual property laws cinched the deal for me:
- Open Internet: “Barack Obama strongly supports the principle of network neutrality to preserve the benefits of open competition on the Internet. Users must be free to access content, to use applications, and to attach personal devices. They have a right to receive accurate and honest information about service plans. Obama will protect the Internet’s traditional openness to innovation and creativity and ensure that it remains a platform for free speech and innovation that will benefit consumers and our democracy.”
Compare this to John McCain’s stated position: “John McCain does not believe in prescriptive regulation like “net-neutrality,” but rather he believes that an open marketplace with a variety of consumer choices is the best deterrent against unfair practices.” Personally, I don’t trust the providers to keep the consumer’s best interest in mind.
- Intellectual Property: “Intellectual property is to the digital age what physical goods were to the industrial age. Barack Obama believes we need to update and reform our copyright and patent systems to promote civic discourse, innovation and investment while ensuring that intellectual property owners are fairly treated.” And on the patent system: “A system that produces timely, high-quality patents is essential for global competitiveness in the 21st century. By improving predictability and clarity in our patent system, we will help foster an environment that encourages innovation. Giving the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) the resources to improve patent quality and opening up the patent process to citizen review will reduce the uncertainty and wasteful litigation that is currently a significant drag on innovation.”
McCain seems to have a similar position on patents, but his position on copyright never mentions a need for reform and instead presents a blanket assurance to the major media conglomerates which have traditionally lobbied for tighter restrictions and shoring up of the status quo: “The entertainment industry is both a vital sector of the domestic economy and among the largest U.S. exporters. While the Internet has provided tremendous opportunity for the creators of copyrighted works, including music and movies, to distribute their works around the world at low cost, it has also given rise to a global epidemic of piracy. John McCain supports efforts to crack down on piracy, both on the Internet and off.”
Yes, of course, time will tell if the next president is truly effective in bringing reform and innovation to IP. We will, as before and now, need to actively participate in the process. Based on the information available on both candidates’ web sites, it appears Obama has a better grasp on what is needed to keep innovation and creativity moving forward while providing reasonable protection for the creators and innovators.
So there you have it, for what it’s worth. Slings, arrows, and rose petals may be thrown in the comments…
