CES on the Hill: Online Infringement & Privacy and Electronic Data Collection
CES on the Hill comes to the nation’s capital this spring, bringing together Members of Congress, their staff and the Washington press to mingle with executives from the CE Industry and get a chance to interact with companies producing innovative technologies that are changing the way we live and work. The next evening CEA hosts its annual Digital Patriots Dinner honoring government officials and technology leaders for their positive influence on both technology and the industry.
CES on the Hill will showcase and demonstrate the top policy issues and challenges affecting the CE industry:
SPECTRUM & MOBILE BROADBAND: CEA believes that in the 21st century economy, spectrum is the oxygen of innovation. We strongly supported legislative efforts to authorize the FCC to conduct voluntary incentive auctions in order to secure 500 MHz of additional spectrum for broadband services and address the looming spectrum shortfall. More, CEA believes that any additional spectrum should be available for both licensed and unlicensed use.
eCYCLING LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE: CEA and consumer electronics industry leaders have launched the eCycling Leadership Initiative. The initiative includes an industry-wide electronics recycling commitment to recycle 1 billion pounds of electronics annually by 2016, a more than a threefold increase over 2010. The eCycling Leadership Initiative also seeks to improve consumer awareness of the more than 5,000 collection sites currently sponsored by industry; increase the amount of electronics recycled responsibly; increase the number of collection opportunities available; and provide transparent metrics on eCycling efforts.
FREE TRADE: CEA strongly supports a more comprehensive approach to the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and urges USTR to undertake negotiations to expand product coverage in the agreement. CEA also supports legislation that will repeal the Jackson-Vanik Amendment and establish Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with Russia.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY: CEA favors voluntary, market-oriented programs and initiatives, including industry-led standards. Experience shows that such market-driven programs are a proven and successful approach to advancing energy efficiency in consumer electronics. CEA works cooperatively with governments in the development of energy efficiency initiatives and opposes mandates that stifle innovation, reduce consumer choice, and limit product features and services.
ENERGY STAR PROGRAM: CEA has long supported ENERGY STAR as the most effective and proactive program to encourage consumers to make more energy-conscious choices. Home electronics were responsible for 59 percent of the energy savings achieved by the program for residential products in 2008, according a recent report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). CEA is concerned, however, that EPA’s recently-mandated changes to ENERGY STAR are creating unreasonable burdens for partners and harming international expansion of the program.
ONLINE INFRINGEMENT: CEA supports strong intellectual property enforcement, and balanced intellectual property law that protects the rights of authors and inventors while preserving and encouraging innovation. CEA members share concerns about theft of intellectual property, including trademarks, patents and copyrights. However, we must ensure that anti-infringement efforts do not inadvertently ensnare legitimate manufacturers, retailers and online service providers
ACCESSIBILITY: CEA supports industry-driven solutions to ensure innovative technologies and services are accessible to persons with disabilities.
SAFE DRIVING: CEA is completely committed to the principle that safety is paramount and a driver’s highest priority must be safe control of the vehicle at all times. CEA has supported state legislation imposing limits on the use of in-vehicle electronics to ensure driver safety. At the same time, however, policy-makers must recognize that many in-vehicle electronics can contribute significantly to driver and roadway safety.
PRIVACY AND ELECTRONIC DATA COLLECTION: CEA companies deeply understand that respect for consumer privacy is an important and necessary business practice. They have and continue to develop, implement and enforce robust industry self-regulation and apply best business practices in a variety of areas related to consumer privacy. But as new regulations and legislation concerning privacy and electronic data collection issues are considered, CEA strongly holds that a definitive, clear and data-based conclusion must first be agreed to regarding what issue, if any, we seek to solve. CEA takes the position that data collected electronically provides enormous consumer benefits and services. As such, we believe that any discussion of the supposed harm must also be measured alongside the advantages afforded by the rich and often-times free innovations available online.
2012 CES on the Hill Exhibitors:
Audiovox Electronic Corp.
Best Buy
CEA
desktopFab, Inc.
DISH Network
Ford Motor Company
Google
HTC, Inc.
Intel Corporation
KlearScreen / iKlear
Livio Radio
Mobileye, Inc.
Panasonic
Pandora Internet Radio
Qualcomm
Samsung Information Systems America, Inc.
Syncbak, Inc.
Verizon Communications
Event Schedule
| Tuesday, April 24, 2012 | |
| 5:30 – 6 p.m. | CES on the Hill – Press Preview Rayburn House Office Building Cafeteria(B-357 ) |
| 6 – 8 p.m. | CES on the Hill Rayburn House Office Building Cafeteria (B-357 ) |
| Wednesday, April 25, 2012 | |
| 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Digital Patriots Reception Newseum |
| 7:30 – 9:30 p.m | Digital Patriots Dinner Newseum |
| 9:30 -10:30 p.m. | Dessert Reception Newseum |