IP-FLASH Who speaks for the Citizens (aka Consumers)

[David Farber <dave@farber.net>]

The debate in Washington in the arena of content protection and copy 
restriction has tended to be a contest between content owners, the legal 
profession  and the  computer/communications industry.

There does not seem to be any loud and structured voice representing the 
citizens (aka consumers) interests and needs.

Why? Who would like to take on that mantel with the credibility needed to 
make the needs of people visible.

As I have said in many talks, many see the future as a digital world where 
the conumer sits in a daze and hits the BUY button. While that may be 
better than a 1984 world, it is not what many of us had in mind for the future.

Dave