Description: 3D printing, a technological development which may ultimately permit local and even personal on-demand automated manufacturing of goods, has the potential to drastically alter long-standing norms of manufacturing, transportation, and even consumer demand. Is such a potentially disruptive development a net positive or negative? What will be its ultimate consequences, intended or unintended? And how will the law handle – for good or ill – these developments in coming years? This session began with a brief overview of the technology from one of its leading manufacturers. After that, the esteemed panelists discussed some of the legal and business related queries that are sure to arise as 3D printing grows in popularity.

I’m currently working on a new book, titled The Piracy Crusade. It’s essentially a continuation of the arguments I made on behalf of LimeWire, as an expert witness for the defense in that case (http://bit.ly/k9KYwL). The aim is to examine and critique the RIAA/IFPI narrative that lays the blame for the music industry’s economic woes on free sharing, and to explore the consequences of laws and policies such as SOPA, PIPA, ACTA and CISPA, which are pushed as panaceas to the piracy problem.
I’m sure many in the ISOC community have strong opinions on this subject, so I’d love their feedback. I’m posting chapter drafts freely under a CC license on http://PiracyCrusade.com. There’s a WordPress comments platform, so feedback will be visible to all readers of the book (feel free to email me privately as well). I’ll also address any substantive comments in the final, printed version of the book (due out next year from University of Massachusetts Press), and give a shout-out to all commenters in the Acknowledgments section.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

Thanks,

Aram

What: “Building Trust in Cloud Computing” Summit 2012
When: Thursday May 17 2012 9.30am-5pm HKT | 0130-1300UTC | 2130(weds)-0500EDT
Where: Cyberport, Hong Kong
Webcast: http://www.livestream.com/internetsocietychapters
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/296406053774243/
Twitter: isochk | cloud security alliance | #cloud

What: Internet Week NY
Where: NYC
When: May 14-21 2012
Schedule: https://www.internetweekny.com/schedule/
Webcast: http://new.livestream.com/iwny
Twitter: #iwny
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/internetweekny

The WSIS Forum 2012 is jointly organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

What: WSIS Forum 2012
Where: ILO Conference Center, Geneva
When: May 14-16 2012 (Geneva is UTC+2, EDT+6)
Agenda: http://groups.itu.int/wsis-forum2012/Agenda/DraftAgenda.aspx
Remote participation: http://groups.itu.int/wsis-forum2012/Agenda/RemoteParticipationRooms.aspx
Webcast: http://www.itu.int/ibs/WSIS/201205forum/
Twitter: #WSIS

This important study finds that the three elements are inter-related and likely feed into each other in a virtuous circle: (i) better connectivity is significantly related to higher levels of local digital content creation. In essence, countries with more Internet infrastructure (at all income levels) are also the countries producing more local digital content as measured by Wikipedia entries and by web pages under a given country-code top-level domain; (ii) countries with more international connectivity have lower domestic broadband prices and countries with better domestic infrastructure have lower international bandwidth prices. The inter-linkages between the different elements lead to three key lines of policy considerations evolving out this research: (i) Fostering content development, (ii) Expanding connectivity, and (iii) Promoting Internet access competition.

The Internet Society press release is below. More info: http://www.internetsociety.org/localcontent

Clear Correlation between Local Content, Internet Development and Access Prices

UNESCO, OECD and Internet Society study presented at the WSIS Forum 2012 in Geneva

[GENEVA, 15 May 2012]– Research summarized in a study “The Relationship between Local Content, Internet Development and Access Prices” released this week at the WSIS Forum 2012 in Geneva shows a strong correlation between the development of network infrastructure and the growth of local content, and a connection between developed local Internet markets and lower reported prices for international bandwidth. The research is the result of collaboration between the Internet Society (ISOC), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The study was released by the three organizations at World Summit on Information Society Forum 2012 in Geneva, Switzerland. The full report is available here: http://www.internetsociety.org/localcontent

The three organizations believe that societies have a rich heritage and knowledge base that should be recognized, recorded and shared for the benefits of people throughout the world. However, much of the world’s content remains inaccessible even to the local population, not to mention at a broader level.

During the joint workshop at the WSIS Forum 2012, Mr Jānis Kārkliņš, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, UNESCO, said that “Understanding the relationship between development of local content, Internet and access prices could help to demonstrate the economic benefits of expanded infrastructures across countries, particularly if the amount of local infrastructure fosters the development of local content in local languages. The availability of local content could also, in turn, stimulate demand for Internet services. Finally, the prices of local Internet access could prove to hinder or promote the development of local content.”

The representative of OECD, Mr Taylor Reynolds, said, “We cannot continue to think of local content, Internet infrastructure and access prices as separate issues. Progress and developments in one area can impact the others so we need to develop a broader approach to policy making that takes the cross-cutting benefits into account.”

Mr Markus Kummer from the Internet Society stated, “This study confirms the strong relationship between local content and Internet infrastructure. Keeping the traffic local and building up local content is key for improving access to the Internet. As the volume of local content increases around the world, the Internet becomes more relevant and has a greater impact on improving the lives of local communities. The Internet Society is happy to collaborate with OECD and UNESCO on this study, and to continue our work as advocates for a free and open Internet and ensuring access to relevant content for everyone.”

The study finds that the three elements are inter-related and likely feed into each other in a virtuous circle: (i) better connectivity is significantly related to higher levels of local digital content creation. In essence, countries with more Internet infrastructure (at all income levels) are also the countries producing more local digital content as measured by Wikipedia entries and by web pages under a given country-code, top-level domain; (ii) countries with more international connectivity have lower domestic broadband prices and countries with more better domestic infrastructure have lower international bandwidth prices. The inter-linkages between the different elements lead to three key lines of policy considerations evolving out of this research: (i) Fostering content development, (ii) Expanding connectivity, and (iii) Promoting Internet access competition.

The study is available on the UNESCO, OECD and Internet Society websites:
http://www.unesco.org
http://www.oecd.org
http://www.internetsociety.org

About the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):

Since its foundation in 1945, UNESCO as the only United Nations specialized agency for education, science, culture, communication and information, works towards creating the conditions for peace and dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values. UNESCO’s unique competencies contribute as well to the realization of internationally agreed development goals.

Under UNESCO’s mandate, the Organization also contributes to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty for sustainable development and intercultural dialogue. Through its large network of field offices and National Commission around the world, UNESCO has a comparative advantage to act as a normative setter, catalyst of ideas, clearinghouse and capacity builder within the areas of its global mandate.

Fostering cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and a culture of peace is one of the strategic overarching objectives that is seen as driving force of development, not only in respect of economic growth, but also as a mean of leading a more fulfilling intellectual, moral and social life. This is captured in the seven conventions in the field of culture and number of recommendations, which provide a solid ground for the promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity. Cultural and linguistic diversity is thus considered as an asset that is indispensable for poverty reduction and the achievement of sustainable development. At the same time, acceptance and recognition of cultural diversity – in particular through innovative use of media and ICTs, particularly the Internet – are conducive to dialogue among civilizations and cultures, respect and mutual understanding.

About the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD):

The mission of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.

The OECD provides a forum in which governments can work together to share experiences and seek solutions to common problems. We work with governments to understand what drives economic, social and environmental change. We measure productivity and global flows of trade and investment. We analyse and compare data to predict future trends. We set international standards on a wide range of things, from agriculture and tax to the safety of chemicals.

About the Internet Society:

The Internet Society is the trusted independent source for Internet information and thought leadership from around the world. With its principled vision and substantial technological foundation, the Internet Society promotes open dialogue on Internet policy, technology, and future development among users, companies, governments, and other organizations. Working with its members and Chapters around the world, the Internet Society enables the continued evolution and growth of the Internet for everyone.

The forum will discuss Internet standards and the role the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) plays in setting open Internet standards. African participation in IETF activities has been limited and this forum is an effort to encourage African participation in the IETF, especially for graduating class, Masters and Ph.D. level University students and instructors in order for Africa to play a role in the development of the Internet.

To participate, register at https://isoc.webex.com/isoc/j.php?ED=180521807&RG=1&UID=1368236882&RT=MiMzNA%3D%3D

More info: http://internetsociety.org/events/african-internet-standards-forum

Pioneers Circle

Recognizing individuals who were instrumental in the early design and development of the Internet: Paul Baran, Vint Cerf, Danny Cohen, Steve Crocker, Donald Davies, Elizabeth Feinler, Charles Herzfeld, Robert Kahn, Peter Kirstein, Leonard Kleinrock, John Klensin, Jon Postel, Louis Pouzin, and Lawrence Roberts.

Innovators

Recognizing individuals who made outstanding technological, commercial, or policy advances and helped to expand the Internet’s reach: Mitchell Baker, Tim Berners-Lee, Robert Cailliau, Van Jacobson, Lawrence Landweber, Paul Mockapetris, Craig Newmark, Raymond Tomlinson, Linus Torvalds, and Philip Zimmermann.

Global Connectors

Recognizing individuals from around the world who have made significant contributions to the global growth and use of the Internet: Randy Bush, Kilnam Chon, Al Gore, Nancy Hafkin, Geoff Huston, Brewster Kahle, Daniel Karrenberg, Toru Takahashi, and Tan Tin Wee.

Comments

Internet Society President and CEO Lynn St.Amour stated, “This historic assembly of Internet visionaries, innovators, and leaders represents an extraordinary breadth of vision and work. While the inductees have extremely diverse backgrounds and represent many different countries, each individual has an incredible passion for their work. We all benefit from their outstanding contributions to a global Internet, making it one of the greatest catalysts of economic and societal development of all time.”

Raúl Echeberría, Chairman of the Internet Society’s Board of Trustees, noted, “The Internet, which connects more than two billion people around the world today, is the result of many important contributions from creative and visionary individuals over the past several decades. The 2012 Internet Hall of Fame celebrates the accomplishments and advancements of 33 talented people who have made significant contributions to the design, development, and expansion of the Internet.”

About the Internet Hall of Fame

The Internet Hall of Fame is an annual awards program that has been established by the Internet Society to publicly recognize a distinguished and select group of leaders and luminaries who have made significant contributions to the development and advancement of the global Internet. More information on the program can be found at http://www.internethalloffame.org.