IP: crypto-lobbying

[David Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

To: farber () cis upenn edu
From: Suzanne Johnson <fuhn () ricochet net>




Declan McCullagh commented on the "millions of dollars industry wasted on
crypto-lobbying".


There was a report on the news tonight here in Silicon Valley on the
interests of the powerful industry lobbying group formed during the 1996
election.  This is the group that raised an enormous amount of money to
fight for a California ballot proposition that was billed as necessary to
prevent frivolous stockholder lawsuits.  The news report interviewed a
consultant to the group (and former aide to Gov. Pete Wilson) who described
their major interest as a federal version of the California law preventing
these frivolous lawsuits.  Also interviewed was one of the Yahoo founders,
who said he supported the group's efforts on lawsuits...adding that after
that effort was completed there were other areas that needed to be
addressed.  He gave encryption as an example of one of the other areas.


So, while millions may have been spent, on "crypto-lobbying", it certainly
hasn't been the top priority of one of the better funded groups.  
 


(The news item, btw, was part of a piece on Chelsea Clinton's arrival in
the area.  Those interviewed were explaining why it might be nice to have
President Clinton visiting the area more frequently.)