Public Knowledge

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Public Knowledge
Formation 2001, U.S.
Type Non-profit organization
Purpose/focus Communications Law & Policy, Intellectual Property, Technology Policy
Headquarters Washington, District of Columbia, U.S.
Website www.publicknowledge.org

Public Knowledge is a non-profit Washington, D.C.-based public interest group that is involved in intellectual property law, competition, and choice in the digital marketplace, and an open standards/end-to-end internet.

Its co-founders are David Bollier and Gigi Sohn (current president), while Peter Suber is director of its open access project, and its directors include MIT professor Hal Abelson, and former FCC chairman Reed Hundt.[1]

Public Knowledge's work focuses on the three 'IP's of communications and copyright policy: information policy, intellectual property, and Internet Protocol.

The group is known for its advocacy for copyright defenses and exemptions such as fair use and against the expansion of copyright in general. For instance, in response to the FCC's attempt to mandate a broadcast flag for all digital TV tuners, Public Knowledge led the successful legal campaign to have the rule overturned.[2][3][4] One study of the politics of digital rights management policy concluded, "Since its 2001 founding, Public Knowledge has risen to prominence as the pre-eminent DC-based policy advocacy organization within the strong fair use coalition."[5]

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References [edit]

  1. ^ "Who we are". Public Knowledge. 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-04. 
  2. ^ Labaton, Stephen (October 27, 2003). "Rules near on TV piracy; Critics press their case". The New York Times. p. C5. 
  3. ^ Zeller Jr., Tom (February 21, 2005). "Federal effort to head off TV piracy is challenged". The New York Times. pp. C5. 
  4. ^ Labaton, Stephen (May 7, 2005). "Antipiracy rule for broadcasts is struck down". The New York Times. p. A2. 
  5. ^ "The Battle over Digital Rights Management: A Multi-Method Study of the Politics of Copyright Management Technologies". Bill D. Herman, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania. 2009. p. 87. Retrieved 2010-02-27. 

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