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Technology moves with terrifying speed. If the traffic rules are explicit and understandable, and accompanied by common-sense protective designs, this technology will be an incalculable boon to America, a shot in the arm to our international competitiveness, and a stimulus to our creative industries. If not, then the information superhighway, cyberspace, the Internet, call it what you will, technology will collapse the great wonder of intellectual property. The country will be the loser. Big time.

Jack Valenti#7

TechnologyIntellectual propertyRegulationEconomyInternet

About this quote

What does it mean?
Fast technology needs clear rules to become an asset rather than destroy property rights.
In plain terms
Technology helps if we have rules, but hurts if we do not.
What can you take from it?
Implement clear rules to guide fast technological growth.

Where it applies

  • tech policy
  • innovation strategy
  • legislation

Putting it to work

  • policy creation
  • innovation oversight

Questions to consider

  • Do rules help or hinder tech?
  • How do we protect property online?

Another view

It presents regulation as binary when implementation often varies.

More from Jack Valenti

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  2. The only group in America that ought to be the final arbiters, the only group in America that deserves to scrutinize what we are doing, and then judge its wort…

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  3. I don't care if you call it AO for Adults Only, or Chopped Liver or Father Goose. Your movie will still have the stigma of being in a category that's going to …

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