Difference between revisions of "Internal:Public Policy"

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{{header workspace|group=Public policy|title=Home}}
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At an upcoming Wikimedia DC board meeting the establishment of a Wikimedia DC Public Policy Committee will be considered. The draft resolution is here: [[Internal:Public Policy Committee resolution]].
  
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{{Shortcut|I:PP}}
   
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The Public Policy Committee (PPC) is a [[Advisory_committee_policy#ARTICLE_IV_.E2.80.93_OTHER_COMMITTEES|chapter committee]] to develop expertise and consensus on public policy matters and advise the board. The committee coordinates with experts, co-hosts public forums on policy topics, and recommends public policy stances to the Board and the movement. The chapter is a nonprofit organization, and tax rules on such organizations requires that only small amounts of chapter money may be allocated to lobbying and other public policy efforts.
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Below are some working activities related to the committee's likely internal charter and work.
  
   
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Members of the committee are listed [[Committees#Public_Policy|here]]. As of Oct 2018 they are Peter Meyer, Dominic Byrd-McDevitt, Robert Fernandez, Jim Hayes, Kevin Payravi, and John Sadowski.
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; Public policy work group proposal
  
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=== Issue areas and activities ===
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* Work group within Wiki DC
  
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* Newish in 2023: [https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/686/text?s=1&r=15 Restrict Act]
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* Can edit articles on legislation and court cases (meeting usual criteria of neutral language, sourcing of statements, and working cooperatively online) -- we've done well creating the article on the upcoming case [[w:Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank International|Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank International]]
  
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; Copyright
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* Can team up with Cato Institute for edit-a-thons
  
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* [[/Reply to WMF questions about copyright advocacy, April 2023]]
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:* could organize an [[User:Econterms/Possible Government procurement edit-a-thon | edit-a-thon on government procurement topics]] ; or, again do one on legislation
  
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* [[/Allowing digital backups by GLAMs]] - petition, April 2020
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* Prepare congressional briefings in 2014 after good experiences in 2013 ([http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Slowking4/congressional_briefing_agenda Prep materials used in 2013 round])
  
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* [[/Copyright policy issues]] -- {{aye}} we made formal comments to Copyright Office about orphan works
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* possible talk at WikiConference USA: Wiki Loves Capitol Hill. (SlowKing4 to link to meta)
  
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* Public domain day, Jan 2019 -- new works from 1923 are freed from copyright. Details: [https://law.duke.edu/cspd/publicdomainday/2019/], [https://lifehacker.com/these-1923-copyrighted-works-enter-the-public-domain-in-1825241296], [https://subjectguides.library.american.edu/c.php?g=175324&p=1155151]. We co-organized a forum at American University's law school with AU's PIJIP program to discuss copyright changes expanding the public domain and new works becoming copyright-free as of January 1.
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* Maintain a page on Wiki-DC site for our activities and views
  
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* [https://certificates.creativecommons.org/about/what-is-next-for-the-certificate-program/ copyright training from Creative Commons] and [http://copyx.org/key-dates/ CopyrightX] from Harvard Law School which includes [http://copyx.org/sections/past-exams/ exams]
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* Can organize group trip to see software patents case argued at Supreme Court.
 
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* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeTybKL1pM4 "Copyright is Not Theft”] - one minute tune with superb animation

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* Can take public positions on copyrights, patents, and free knowledge issues? Coordinated with WMF and others? Erik Moeller pointed me to a Luis Villa and Stephen P. in the WMF general counsel's office to coordinate with on software patents issue.
  
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* "When and how to contact OTRS" - https://vimeo.com/338753121 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:When_and_how_to_contact_OTRS.webm

   
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; Other areas
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; Taking positions on public matters
  
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* [[/Reducing online harassment]] -- [[/Reducing online harassment/Statement by the chapter|draft statement of our support for the Enough Act]]
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* The Wikimedia DC board must approve any public document from the committee representing the chapter, before release
  
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* [[/Italian embassy events]]
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* Background: in 2013, Wiki DC was publicly committed to resisting/changing SOPA/PIPA, and supporting WMF's blackout of the Wikipedias. This was framed as advocating for Internet freedom. Wiki DC had some [[Internal:Budget (2012-2013) | budget capacity]] for this.
 
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* [[/Net neutrality]] -- Our published statement, May 5, 2018: [[Press:Wikimedia DC statement supporting Senate action to restore Net Neutrality|Wikimedia DC statement supporting Senate action to restore Net Neutrality‎‎]]
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* Software patenting comes up in impending judicial cases (no legislative consideration at the moment)
  
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* [[/Federal government Open Source Policy]] -- OMB has a new policy as of early August 2016. Peter commented, not specifically representing the chapter, in the drafts offered in March and April 2016. Peter to send a summary to WMF public policy list.
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* Work group should not claim to represent Wiki-DC without board approval of specifics (?)
  
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* [[/Congressional briefings]] -- WMDC was invited to present to communications staffers on the Hill in May 2016. This window fell through. Peter hopes to present in the period after the election.
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* Generally Wiki-DC and this group should takes stances (if any) that are in the public interest of free knowledge, not stances organized towards the narrow interest of the organization
  
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:* Background / prep: [http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/01/14/wikipedia-at-15/], [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4695376.stm]
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* Members can self-identify as members of Wiki DC in public, without apology, but do not generally represent the organization except with board approval
  
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* [[/Patents on software and related]] -- [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Meetup/DC/SupremeCourt_AliceCLSBank we attended Alice vs CLS Bank case when it was argued at the Supreme Court]
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:* useful for those of us who do not have a work affiliation we can use for open-source / free-knowledge work
 
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* [[/Reform of Computer Fraud and Abuse Act]] (e.g. Aaron's law)
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:* an alternative framing is that coordination with the WMF is required ; but this is costly for moving quickly
  
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* Internet response to SOPA, PIPA, and ACTA. [https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2031561]
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:* Wikipedias in Native American languages
  
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* SAA letter to WIPO asking for freedom for cultural heritage insts to make precise digtal backups
   
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* [[/Wiki for evaluations of scientific work]]
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* Software patents are a subject in the public sphere. The Supreme Court will hear a software/business-methods case ("the Alice case") on March 31 at 10am
  
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* [[/Practices and rules for federal government staff who edit on work time]] -- [[/Draft blog post on federal and congressional editing]]
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* Could blog in advance on the topic, write learned papers, or coauthor briefs
  
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* The [http://policy.wikimedia.org WMF Policy office] lists these five as its policy advocacy topics: Access (to the net); Copyright; Censorship; Intermediary Liability; and Privacy. (Harassment is not on the list, but is an area where changes in law are under discussion.)
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* We can organize a chapter trip to see the case argued. An experienced person told me that if we organize a group of ten we can get seats for the entire case. They give tickets. It takes a little planning but he can help. We'll need to gather interested people and perhaps combine this with a salon or edit-a-thon or anyway a trip to a cafe.
  
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* [[/Prep for Oct 8 2016 presentation at Wikimania]]
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* Possible teammates or coauthors: WMF ; Creative Commons ; Electronic Frontier Foundation ; Public Knowledge ; Open Knowledge Foundation ; OSI ; many others
  
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* Possible partner: [https://credibilitycoalition.org/results/ Credibility Coalition]
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* Work group might [https://wikimania2014.wikimedia.org/wiki/Submissions propose a talk for Wikimania 2014] on public policy issues, e.g. "Software patents: an update from the U.S.", or "Government software procurement", or "Can chapters take public policy positions?"
  
   
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; Background -- topics and legislation of interest:
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=== Background, and other topics of interest ===
 
* ACTA: [[wikipedia:ACTA | The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA)]], is a multinational treaty for the purpose of establishing international standards for intellectual property; agreed on in 2011 if I understand correctly
  
* ACTA: [[wikipedia:ACTA | The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA)]], is a multinational treaty for the purpose of establishing international standards for intellectual property; agreed on in 2011 if I understand correctly
 
* CISPA: [[wikipedia:CISPA | Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act]] -- a proposed U.S. law to "allow" (require?) sharing of Internet traffic data between the U.S. government and some companies, intended to help the government investigate cyber threats and ensure security of networks.
  
* CISPA: [[wikipedia:CISPA | Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act]] -- a proposed U.S. law to "allow" (require?) sharing of Internet traffic data between the U.S. government and some companies, intended to help the government investigate cyber threats and ensure security of networks.
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* [http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=114&session=1&vote=00291 CISA] = Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015
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* Aaron's Law: sponsored by Rep. Zoe Lofgren's office
  
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* SOPA/PIPA -- effort by recording industry and Hollyword to incorporate copyright protection into the infrastructure of the Internet; beaten back in 2011.
  
 
* CALEA: The [[wikipedia:Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act]] is a United States wiretapping law passed in 1994
  
* CALEA: The [[wikipedia:Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act]] is a United States wiretapping law passed in 1994
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* Research "Aaron's law" proposal (named for Aaron Swartz) from Rep. Lofgren's office: proposed revision to Computer Fraud and Abuse Act to reduce penalties and maybe more. [http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/aarons-law-honor-internet-activist-redefine-computer-fraud-1B8005442]. A contact person at Lofgren's office is senior legislative counsel: harley.geiger at mail.house.gov ; 225-3072.
  
 
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Signpost/2014-01-08/Public_Domain_Day Public Domain Day mentioned in ''Signpost'']
  
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Signpost/2014-01-08/Public_Domain_Day Public Domain Day mentioned in ''Signpost'']
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* [http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130318/11114922368/more-details-copyright-register-maria-pallantes-call-comprehensive-forward-thinking-flexible-copyright-reform.shtml copyright reform] might be a policy item for agenda
  
 
* The potential right-to-repair [https://www.eff.org/event/remember-remember-5th-november-ifixit], [http://ifixit.org/right], [http://www.daily-journal.com/business/ifixit-and-the-right-to-repair/article_07143f91-5093-53bd-b805-ccf993bda787.html?mode=jqm]
  
* The potential right-to-repair [https://www.eff.org/event/remember-remember-5th-november-ifixit], [http://ifixit.org/right], [http://www.daily-journal.com/business/ifixit-and-the-right-to-repair/article_07143f91-5093-53bd-b805-ccf993bda787.html?mode=jqm]
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* Wikipedias in Native American languages ; [http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/01/17/senators-fight-preserve-tribal-cultures-through-native-languages-153158 Native Language Immersion Student Achievement Act]
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* Net neutrality
  
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* edit articles on legislation and court cases (meeting usual criteria of neutral language, sourcing of statements, and working cooperatively online) -- we've done well creating the article on the upcoming case [[w:Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank International|Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank International]]
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* [http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/01/17/senators-fight-preserve-tribal-cultures-through-native-languages-153158 Native Language Immersion Student Achievement Act]
  
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* could organize an [[User:Econterms/Possible Government procurement edit-a-thon | edit-a-thon on government procurement topics]] ; or, again do one on legislation -- with Cato Institute
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** Note that Wikimedia DC cannot take official positions on pieces of legislation. [[User:James Hare|James Hare]] ([[User talk:James Hare|talk]]) 13:33, 26 January 2014 (EST)
  
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* join WikiProject Public Policy
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::* Why not? Is this a policy of the Wiki-DC board? But the chapter has done so in the past: [[Statement on SOPA and PIPA]]. It's not a constraint on 501(c)3s generally, which may lobby as long as lobbying is not "substantial": [http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4221pc.pdf IRS doc] see p.7 on legislative activities.
  
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* Virginia state law stuff is largely not copyrighted but there seem to be exceptions: https://leg1.state.va.us/000/src.htm. We need info on other jurisdictions in our chapter area.
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::* [http://www.independentsector.org/advocacy this source] says "501(c)3 Public Charities, including Community Foundations, have every right to advocate on behalf of policies they believe in. But, when nonprofits advocate for specific legislation (i.e. lobby), it may trigger specific rules and limits."
  
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* [[/TPP]] -- the Trans-Pacific Partnership
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::* [http://www.asaecenter.org/Resources/whitepaperdetail.cfm?ItemNumber=12202 This guidance] says that "501(c)(3) organizations can, and often should, lobby at all levels of government. Federal tax law has always permitted some lobbying by nonprofits."
  
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* [[/Freedom of Panorama]], a hot topic in European legislation
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::* Perhaps the potential committee should provide an analysis or specific proposal on this topic if and when becomes relevant. An IRS tax attorney may be on the committee. We do not in the near run have a specific proposal to do it, or to budget a penny for it.
  
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* [[/Tor and WIkimedia]]
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::* To me it seems too early to constrain our potential freedom of speech and contribution, apart from our [[Internal:Public Policy Committee resolution|previously discussed agreement]] that the Wiki DC Board can take positions but the public policy committee cannot. -- [[User:Econterms|Econterms]] ([[User talk:Econterms|talk]]) 21:18, 26 January 2014 (EST)
  
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::* More info: Wikipedia has [[w:501%28c%29#Lobbying|a clear helpful paragraph on this point]]. The IRS guidance is very clear [http://web.archive.org/web/20090509011741/http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=163394,00.html here]. We have to file a trivial form, Form 5768, if we take positions. The "expenditure test" seems to say that if the org spends approximately zero on lobbying, it is not at any risk. If its lobbying is not "substantial" timewise, it is not at risk. We'll be fine. A possible step is to assign an analysis of the Corporation's limits here to the Public Policy Committee, once it exists. And perhaps a policy proposal on keeping the risk to a negligible level. -- [[User:Econterms|Econterms]] ([[User talk:Econterms|talk]]) 21:53, 26 January 2014 (EST)
  
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=== Our role and constraints ===
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* The Wikimedia DC board must approve any public document from the committee representing the chapter, before release
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* Committee members may self-identify as members of Wiki DC but should not claim to represent Wiki DC without board approval of specific positions.
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* Generally Wiki-DC and this group should take stances that are in the public interest of free knowledge, not stances advocating narrow interests of the organization
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* [[/Reports to the Wikimedia DC board]]
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=== Connections and affiliations ===
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* Our chapter may wish to join the [http://congressionaldata.org Congressional Data Coalition]
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* The chapter held events at [http://www.cato.org Cato Institute], the [https://sunlightfoundation.com/ Sunlight Foundation] and American University's Washington College of Law
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* [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Advocacy Advocacy page on meta]
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* In April 2012, Wikimedia DC partnered with the Washington European Society and the Estonian Embassy in Washington to present a panel on '''Internet Freedom & Open Government: An International Conversation''', featuring speakers Danny Weitzner, Deputy CTO for Internet Policy at the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy; Chairman Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of the Estonian Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee; Ian Schuler, Senior Manager for Internet Freedom Programs at the State Department; and Rebecca MacKinnon, Bernard L. Schwartz senior fellow at the New America Foundation and a member of the Wikimedia Foundation Advisory Board. Adam Kushner, Deputy Editor of the ''National Journal'', moderated the discussion.
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=== Answers from the PPC on behalf of the chapter ===
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* How can our chapter advocate for public policy without violating not-for-profit rules? [[/Taking positions on public policy and nonprofit-charity status|Our answer]] (Feb-Mar 2014)
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* How should copyright rules be changed to allow more use of orphan works? [http://wikimediadc.org/image/0/07/Comment_on_Orphan_Works_and_Mass_Digitization.pdf Our published answer] (May 2014)
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* Should our chapter join the Congressional Data Coalition? Overwhelmingly our committee said YES. (June 2014, in board meeting minutes)
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* How should our chapter prepare to give a prize to an international recipient? WMF legal counsel Villa advised (June 2014) that (a) For issues related to chapter status/agreement, ask Stephen LaPorte of WMF legal; (b) Please check with trademarks@wikimedia.org regarding use of trademarks before using them in a contest; (c) WMF-Legal "can't" give us legal advice regarding our 501(c)3 status or money transfers out of the country. Econterms is following up with WM-NYC and can contact LaPorte.
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* Should our chapter sign on to these declarations and manifestos? (July 2014) (1) [http://publicdomainmanifesto.org/manifesto Public Domain Manifesto]; (2) [http://oa.mpg.de/berlin-prozess/berliner-erklarung/ Berlin Declaration]; (3) [http://infojustice.org/washington-declaration Washington Declaration]. We'll recommend something by the [[Meetings_(2013–2014)|July 26 meeting]].
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<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="180px">
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File:Accesstag WikiCapitolHill.PNG|Badge for entry to Congressional buildings, used during our Capitol Hill briefings
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File:Wikilovescapitolhill_1805.JPG|Peter and John, suited up for visits to Congressional offices
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<!-- somehwere there is a nice pic of Jim Hayes in his Capitol Hill suit
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</gallery>
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[[Category:Group workspaces]]

Latest revision as of 20:10, 15 May 2023

Workspace: Public policy

Shortcut:
I:PP

The Public Policy Committee (PPC) is a chapter committee to develop expertise and consensus on public policy matters and advise the board. The committee coordinates with experts, co-hosts public forums on policy topics, and recommends public policy stances to the Board and the movement. The chapter is a nonprofit organization, and tax rules on such organizations requires that only small amounts of chapter money may be allocated to lobbying and other public policy efforts.

Members of the committee are listed here. As of Oct 2018 they are Peter Meyer, Dominic Byrd-McDevitt, Robert Fernandez, Jim Hayes, Kevin Payravi, and John Sadowski.

Issue areas and activities

Copyright
Other areas

Background, and other topics of interest

Our role and constraints

  • The Wikimedia DC board must approve any public document from the committee representing the chapter, before release
  • Committee members may self-identify as members of Wiki DC but should not claim to represent Wiki DC without board approval of specific positions.
  • Generally Wiki-DC and this group should take stances that are in the public interest of free knowledge, not stances advocating narrow interests of the organization
  • /Reports to the Wikimedia DC board

Connections and affiliations

  • Our chapter may wish to join the Congressional Data Coalition
  • The chapter held events at Cato Institute, the Sunlight Foundation and American University's Washington College of Law
  • Advocacy page on meta
  • In April 2012, Wikimedia DC partnered with the Washington European Society and the Estonian Embassy in Washington to present a panel on Internet Freedom & Open Government: An International Conversation, featuring speakers Danny Weitzner, Deputy CTO for Internet Policy at the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy; Chairman Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of the Estonian Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee; Ian Schuler, Senior Manager for Internet Freedom Programs at the State Department; and Rebecca MacKinnon, Bernard L. Schwartz senior fellow at the New America Foundation and a member of the Wikimedia Foundation Advisory Board. Adam Kushner, Deputy Editor of the National Journal, moderated the discussion.

Answers from the PPC on behalf of the chapter

  • How can our chapter advocate for public policy without violating not-for-profit rules? Our answer (Feb-Mar 2014)
  • How should copyright rules be changed to allow more use of orphan works? Our published answer (May 2014)
  • Should our chapter join the Congressional Data Coalition? Overwhelmingly our committee said YES. (June 2014, in board meeting minutes)
  • How should our chapter prepare to give a prize to an international recipient? WMF legal counsel Villa advised (June 2014) that (a) For issues related to chapter status/agreement, ask Stephen LaPorte of WMF legal; (b) Please check with trademarks@wikimedia.org regarding use of trademarks before using them in a contest; (c) WMF-Legal "can't" give us legal advice regarding our 501(c)3 status or money transfers out of the country. Econterms is following up with WM-NYC and can contact LaPorte.
  • Should our chapter sign on to these declarations and manifestos? (July 2014) (1) Public Domain Manifesto; (2) Berlin Declaration; (3) Washington Declaration. We'll recommend something by the July 26 meeting.

  • Badge for entry to Congressional buildings, used during our Capitol Hill briefings

  • Peter and John, suited up for visits to Congressional offices

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