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State of the Net West:
Technology Roundtable Discussion

Friday, August 10, 2007

Overview

In August the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee, in collaboration with Santa Clara University, hosted the first-ever ICAC State of the Net West Conference to dialogue on top technology policy issues impacting the Silicon Valley. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren led the roundtable discussion with participants from academia, the public interest community, and technology companies. The discussion was designed as a channel for West Coast thought leaders from the academic community and private sector to help inform the technology policy issues debated in Washington and better reflect the fast-paced evolution of the marketplace.

Perennially the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee hosts the "State of the Net Conference" in Washington to frame many of the technology policy debates that Congress grapples with throughout the year. It has become the premier forum to discuss technology trends and the enormous challenges that lawmakers, industry leaders, and citizens must confront and resolve. While the State of the Net Conference has been an unmitigated success at framing the debate in Washington, we believe that an infusion of intellectual capital from the West Coast could significantly enhance the State of the Net discussions.

Congresswoman Lofgren led an informal and intimate roundtable, allowing for dynamic interactions among all the participants. Topics included net neutrality, spectrum and digital copyright.

This educational briefing was hosted by the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee (ICAC), part of a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization. The ICAC is a private sector organization comprised of public interest groups, trade associations, non-profits, and corporations.