Public Policy

Our work is based upon our fundamental belief that the Internet is for everyone. In pursuing our objectives, we operate collaboratively and inclusively, working with governments, national and international organizations, civil society, the private sector, and other parties to reach decisions about the Internet that conform to our core values. A primary focus of our public policy work is Internet governance.

We work in a multi-stakeholder fashion towards the development of an Open and Sustainable Internet for the benefit of all people. Because the Internet impacts all of us, we work with partners globally of all shapes and sizes to make sure we can address a wide range of social, economic, regulation and policy issues that interfere with an open and sustainable Internet.

Public Policy News

UN’s ITU election may spell the end of our open internet
The Register logo
In the News 29 September 2022

UN’s ITU election may spell the end of our open internet

The Register
‘Dangerous’ EU web authentication plan threatens to undercut browser-led certification system, detractors claim
PortSwigger logo
In the News 30 March 2022

‘Dangerous’ EU web authentication plan threatens to undercut browser-led certification system, detractors claim

PortSwigger
The Internet Is Not the Enemy
Project Syndicate logo
In the News 30 November 2021

The Internet Is Not the Enemy

Project Syndicate
The Divide: Internet Society’s Mark Buell on what’s ‘very good’ and ‘less good’ in the broadband bill
Broadband World News logo
In the News 18 November 2021

The Divide: Internet Society’s Mark Buell on what’s ‘very good’ and ‘less good’ in the broadband bill

Broadband World News
The EU’s Push to Regulate ‘Big Tech’ Platforms Is Already Getting Messy
TECHregister logo
In the News 3 August 2021

The EU’s Push to Regulate ‘Big Tech’ Platforms Is Already Getting Messy

TECHregister
G7 And Technical Standards: Blink And You Might Have Missed The New Battleground
techdirt logo
In the News 20 May 2021

G7 And Technical Standards: Blink And You Might Have Missed The New Battleground

techdirt

Resources

Visit our Policy Briefs page to find documents focused on today’s critical Internet policy issues.

Intellectual Property

The Internet Society works on Internet-related intellectual property issues and aims to add its expertise to discussions such as the use of technical measures and the role of Internet intermediaries.

We also work in the area of access to digital content, including access to content in local languages through local language interfaces, and access for persons with disabilities.

The Internet Society is a Permanent Observer to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

We contribute to WIPO’s work on Internet-related Intellectual Property issues through the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) and the Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (SCT).

The role of Internet intermediaries in fostering online freedoms
Public Policy 26 January 2015

The role of Internet intermediaries in fostering online freedoms

In the aftermath of the Paris attacks against Charlie Hebdo, voices have raised the issue of the role of...

Intellectual Property Rights and the Freedom to Share: are the two compatible?
Public Policy 9 November 2012

Intellectual Property Rights and the Freedom to Share: are the two compatible?

I had the pleasure to coordinate the organization of this workshop with the support of some other Next Generation...

The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) and the IPR Internet-related provisions
Public Policy 20 November 2013

The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) and the IPR Internet-related provisions

Introduction Last week, Wikileaks released what appears to be the full text of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) chapter...