The Business Software Alliance (BSA) released its Hill agenda for...

rhetoric of Internet companies on net neutrality. BSA wants to improve copyright enforcement and FBI training, update national laws to conform to the World Intellectual Property Organization copyright treaties, and put heat on signers of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement to fulfill treaty obligations. But it opposes legislation that “mandates specific technology solutions to be incorporated into product design to deter piracy,” which can have “unintended consequences” -- a veiled slap at RIAA and MPAA for pushing audio and broadcast flag legislation. BSA backs data security legislation with a national breach standard for notification, adding law enforcement resources against cybercrime, and “universal” ratification of the Council of Europe cybercrime convention, which the U.S. recently joined (WID Oct 2 p10). It wants incentives for antispyware developers -- sometimes threatened with defamation lawsuits by “spyware companies” -- who work in “good faith.” Increasing cybersecurity R&D spending is another priority. Congress should renew trade promotion authority to promote e- commerce; work to “reinvigorate” WTO trade talks; and fight domestic or international rules that treat online products differently than hard copies, BSA said. The group tries to walk a tightrope on net neutrality, supporting bill language to ensure that data packets can be sent “without being blocked, degraded or otherwise impeded” based on type, origin or destination. But its members “recognize” that ISPs must manage networks to “enable new services, enhance Internet security, and meet emerging new consumer needs.” BSA cites VoIP as a technology developed precisely because of “absence of regulation” in arguing against regulating IP-based services. It supports a “single national federal franchise agreement” for all video providers, which would mean more broadband-subscribing households. The group also backs municipal broadband efforts if they're “technologically and competitively neutral… investments.” It opposes requirements regarding proprietary or open-source software, calling both “the foundation of a healthy and diverse software ecosystem” that drives competition. BSA wants a “continued productive dialogue” with China in light of the govt.’s promise to buy computers only with preloaded software and its occasional crackdowns on infringing websites.