IP Democracy: Public Policy Advice for Google

There’s no doubt that Google will face a host of new issues and problems (and, of course, opportunities) once it officially acquires YouTube, particularly in the legal and policy arenas. Although Google has made an earnest effort to beef up its DC representation, Sean Garrett at the463 offers the search giant excellent advice about how to wear a bigger mantel of leadership.

The first skirmishes in the net neutrality wars probably taught Google that Washington’s power trumps even phenomenal market-based success (just ask Microsoft), but the company still hasn’t learned how to handle the political beast. And the sooner Google gets on the stick — preferably before the inevitable backlash begins — the nicer Congress, the Administration and regulatory agencies will be.

But, now that cover photos have been taken and expectations are at their highest, it’s time to buckle down and communicate both a business and policy strategy for the growth of the sector. Clearly, there will be big intersections between the two and the sooner you can talk about the democratizing power of online video and your strategy for respecting copyright while the honeymoon still exists in places like DC, the better off you will be.

Posted by Cynthia Brumfield on October 9, 2006 8:34 PM to IP Democracy