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NEWS FEED
Lawmakers use recess break to learn more about local startups
Although Congress has been on recess for the past two weeks, that hasn’t stopped lawmakers from connecting with startups and entrepreneurs back home. At least six representatives and one senator toured startup facilities, spoke with and profiled small business owners, or otherwise learned more about the entrepreneurial endeavors of their constituents.
#StartupsEverywhere: Las Vegas, Nev.
Many people think of Las Vegas as the entertainment capital of the world, but policymakers in Nevada are increasingly viewing the vibrant city as a growing hub of innovation for the state’s startup community. In downtown Las Vegas, entrepreneurs are increasingly flocking to coworking space Work in Progress (WIP) to put their creative talents, innovative ideas, and business acumen into action.
Startup News Digest 4/19/19
The Big Story: Europe moves to further regulate online platforms. European countries moved this week to further regulate social media platforms, while the EU Council officially approved a divisive new copyright directive.
Startup News Digest 4/12/19
The Big Story: Dealing with harmful online content. Dueling congressional committees this week held hearings on online hate speech and digital censorship as the United Kingdom released a sweeping plan to require social media companies to be more proactive in removing harmful content from their sites.
#StartupsEverywhere: Las Cruces, N.M.
Based in the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center works to connect startups and entrepreneurs across the state with the resources they need to innovate and expand. Zetdi Runyan Sloan, director of the center’s accelerator programs, uses her own entrepreneurial spirit to help startups--particularly those operated by underserved entrepreneurs--grow through mentorship programs and networking opportunities.
Engine Weighs in on Section 512 Study
Earlier this week, Engine representatives participated in the U.S. Copyright Office’s Roundtable discussion on the impact and effectiveness of section 512 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). The DMCA—and the safe harbor provisions of the bill included in section 512— provide a framework to grant online service providers limited liability protections for copyright infringement stemming from user-generated content.
Engine Supports Token Taxonomy Act
“The Token Taxonomy Act will help provide the regulatory clarity that the blockchain industry has needed for quite some time. This forward-thinking proposal succeeds in providing clear rules supporting an emerging technology without constraining future growth.”
Statement on House Passage of the Save the Internet Act
“We are pleased that House lawmakers voted to advance H.R. 1644, the Save the Internet Act, a bill that would fully restore the strong net neutrality protections that were enshrined in the FCC’s 2015 Open Internet Order. Net neutrality helps preserve the Internet as a level playing field for companies of all sizes, promoting competition and innovation.”
Startups speak out as net neutrality bill advances
This afternoon, Engine released a letter signed by over 120 startups in support of H.R. 1644, the Save the Internet Act. The legislation would restore the FCC’s 2015 Open Internet Order, which allowed startups to grow and succeed by keeping the Internet a level playing field.
Startup News Digest 4/05/19
The Big Story: Net neutrality bill gaining momentum. The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted to advance the Save the Internet Act, legislation to reinstate the FCC’s 2015 net neutrality protections, which kept the Internet a level playing field for startups. A vote by the full House is expected next week.
#StartupsEverywhere: New Orleans, La.
Brandon Davenport, business development manager for Servato, said the firm’s active battery management systems are critical for helping to increase broadband access and reliability in often overlooked corners of the country. Increasing application-based funding for rural broadband access is one of the issues at the top of Brandon’s policy wishlist.
Engine Supports the HALOS Act
Evan Engstrom, Engine's Executive Director, penned a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) expressing support for the HALOS Act.
Startup News Digest 3/29/19
The Big Story: Data privacy takes center stage. Engine Executive Director Evan Engstrom testified before the Senate Commerce subcommittee on consumer protection this week to discuss the impact privacy regulations have on startups. Evan stressed the need for lawmakers to craft a comprehensive national privacy framework that balances strong consumer protections with reasonable requirements for startups on bootstrap budgets.
The importance of well-crafted federal privacy protections to startups
Engine Executive Director Evan Engstrom testified before the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection on why startups support strong privacy regulations that provide greater user choice and transparency but which don’t put them at a competitive disadvantage to large Internet companies.
Statement on European Parliament’s Vote on Copyright in the Digital Single Market
Engine Executive Director Evan Engstrom responds to the European Parliament’s vote to adopt the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market.
Startup News Digest 3/22/19
The Big Story: More scrutiny on Internet platforms. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are renewing scrutiny of how Internet platforms moderate users’ content, adding to the criticism of a foundational law that protects Internet platforms of all sizes.
Startup News Digest 3/15/19
The Big Story: Proposed tech breakup bad for startups. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) made waves this week when she called for the breakup of several big tech companies, alleging that they have “too much power over our economy, our society, and our democracy.”
Engine Files Comments to California AG on State Privacy Law
Engine files comments to the California AG’s office on the new California Consumer Protection Act.
Startup News Digest 3/8/19
The Big Story: The new push for net neutrality. Democrats came out this week with legislation to restore the 2015 net neutrality rules that kept Internet service providers from blocking or slowing access to content online and from charging companies for better access to users.
Engine Supports Congressional Efforts to Save the Internet
Engine supports congressional Democrats’ efforts to adopt legislation that would reinstate the Federal Communications Commission’s 2015 Open Internet rules.