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Lessig on Internet Governance

Posted by Zonk on from the clearer-heads-to-prevail dept.

tcd004 writes "Should the United Nations control the Internet? That's the subject of a heated debate slated to take place at the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis later this month. The European Union is pressing for a U.N. role in governing the Internet, which is currently in the hands of a U.S. nonprofit. Lawrence Lessig breaks down the debate and offers his views. An interesting point: in order to participate in Summit-related events Lessig had to promise not to talk about intellectual property." From the article: "What people are afraid of is that there will be a split within the single hierarchical system which would result in two different populations of the dot-com domain name system existing out there. Then there would be a real conflict. My view is that if in fact there is a separation like that, there are a lot of incentives for these two separate roots to figure out a way to coexist. There would be lots of anger [when] you realize that you're not getting the IBM.com you expected. But there's no reason why you couldn't have multiple root systems."

5 of 281 comments (clear)

  1. I think the internet should by Turd+Rippleton · · Score: 2, Funny

    remain in the hands of its creator, Al Gore.

  2. "nuclear option"? by sczimme · · Score: 2, Funny


    FP: The EU and several countries say that their "nuclear option" would be to set up a rival ICANN, resulting in two standards for the Internet.

    Homer^W Dubya: "Nuke-u-ler. It's pronounced nuke-u-ler."

    --
    I want to drag this out as long as possible. Bring me my protractor.
  3. Just call me Larry from now on. by Russ+Nelson · · Score: 2, Funny

    But there's no reason why you couldn't have multiple root systems.

    And there's no reason (except for the confusion it would cause) why we can't ALL be called Larry Lessig.
    -larry

    --
    Don't piss off The Angry Economist
  4. Re:Internet Success by JohnnyNoSPAM · · Score: 2, Funny
    Marx called, he wants know why his system doesn't work.

    :-P

    --
    Get some.
  5. The stench of corruption is overwhelming. by Wolfbone · · Score: 2, Funny

    "in order to participate in Summit-related events Lessig had to promise not to talk about intellectual property."

    Dear Doctor Jones,

    The committee of the WHO invites you to open the World Summit on Global Health Policy with a brief speech. Please don't talk about Malaria, AIDS or other minor diseases.

    Dear Senator Bloggs,

    The Board is pleased to offer you the opportunity to open the World Summit on National and International Security. We request that you do not bring up irrelevant matters such as war and terrorism.

    Dear Professor Smith,

    The organisers are pleased to offer you the opportunity to present the opening address at the World Summit on Climate Change. We ask only that you avoid subjects not directly relevant - such as greenhouse gases, temperatures and sea levels.