Public Knowledge

Public Knowledge is a Washington DC based public interest group working to defend your rights online.

[publicknowledge]

PK in the Know is now on Soundcloud! Tune in to our latest on the IANA transition and check back this Monday for our next podcast!

[publicknowledge]

You may have noticed over the past few weeks that patents have been a huge topic of discussion. Take a look at this video on the Innovation Act to understand more! 

[publicknowledge]

If Everything Was Bundled Like Cable with David Koechner from Funny Or Die

Check out this sadly accurate portrayal of if the world was run like cable. What’s your solution? Have a crazy cable story to tell? 

[pkadvocacy]

Congressional Review Act: A Primer

Great 3-pager resource from Center for Progressive Reform on the Congressional Review Act: http://www.progressivereform.org/articles/Congressional_Review_Act_Primer.pdf

[micdotcom]

Court rules it’s illegal for the NSA to record all your phone calls.

Contrary to the Bush and Obama administrations’ insistence the Patriot Act justified the massive collection program, the New York-based Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled the law could not be legally extended to a “bulk collection” of citizens’ phone records. But not all of your private data is safe yet. 

[publicknowledge]

This year’s 3D/DC was a huge success! 

Check out some of the highlights, which include a giant 3D Printed Ben Franklin, Domo bottle openers, and a precocious kid whose passion for all things 3D printing stole the show.

[publicknowledge]

Last Night, John Oliver featured the recent hearings on Patent Law and Patent Trolls. As he has done with the other telecom pieces, he hit the nail on the head. We are excited and grateful for how he is shining a light on otherwise ignored, but vital parts of innovation. 

Plus.. it’s hilarious, so you should just watch it! 

[publicknowledge]

3D/DC 2015 is coming! Come join us! 

If you like 3D printing and want to learn more or just check out some pretty cool technology, RSVP today. It’s an awesome time to discuss protecting this technology and celebrating it’s consistent innovation. 

[mweinbergblog]

Today is my last day at Public Knowledge. I started at PK as an intern over seven years ago and, though a series of lucky breaks, have pretty much worked there ever since. I am, and will continue to be, profoundly grateful for every opportunity that PK has ever afforded me.

PK is made up of...

[publicknowledge]

We are incredibly grateful for the work Mike Weinberg has put in at PK and for the community he has helped to grow. But, we are excited for Weinberg to take this next step and to see what great things he does at Shapeways (like Left Shark!)

[publicknowledge]

We sorta, kinda, think 3D Printing is pretty phenomenal, if you haven’t noticed. 

In fact, if you’re in the area, we will be hosting our fourth annual 3D/DC on April 29th. If we do say so ourselves, this is the premiere 3D printing policy event of the year, bringing together the 3D printing world and the world of policy. You should come.

Check out this weeks collection of Fascinating Finds which includes projects that should, could and will change how we make and share things in a digital age. 

And, let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want want this cheese printer (if it worked)?

[internetassociation]

The Florida legislature is currently considering two bills, HB 271 and SB 604 (otherwise known as the True Origin of Digital Goods Act), and they’re problematic. Why? The bills would essentially require website owners and operators that provide commercial streaming services to place on their...

[publicknowledge]

This is important!  Take a look and if you or someone you know lives in Florida share. 

If you’re not quite sure why you remember that term SOPA, take a look at our blog post and see why it is more than problematic. 

[publicknowledge]

On top of this weeks Budget/Net Neutrality hearings, there was also a great hearing on Patents Trolls.

What’s that you say? You don’t love watching CSPAN? 

Don’t worry, we won’t post that. However, take a look at this great explanation of what a patent troll is and does. While we are still working hard on Net Neutrality, patent reform is sure to be a big issue this year and it’s worth knowing why. 

Enjoy! 

[publicknowledge]

A Fun Friday Treat: 

Cookie Monster takes a look at the #breaktheinternet trend. If you haven’t watched this yet, you should do so now!

[publicknowledge]

I don't know about the rest of you but life-after-Serial has me on a podcast craze. If you're like me, then take a look out our podcast, PK In The Know, starting with this weeks episode. 

If you like this, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes.

[obamawhitehouse]

Big news: President Obama just announced new steps to help more Americans access better broadband. Here’s why this matters.

[publicknowledge]

While slightly overshadowed on Thursday's FCC Meeting, we are excited about the direction the FCC is taking to allow for municipal broadband (aka. muni broadband, community broadband.)

The availability of municipal broadband also towns to remove barriers for growth and allows communities to demand for more competition. This article in the Verge explains this concept well. While only two states, the move to override state's rights through FCC authority is a big deal, as it set's a precedent and potential allows consumers more choice. 

[themediafix]

Powerful words on Net Neutrality from Civil Rights icon Rep. John Lewis. 

[publicknowledge]

A great message to refocus the meaning of Thursdays' victory, and to clear up any misunderstanding on cat videos  vs. cardiologist video appointment. 

[publicknowledge]

Remember just over two years ago when Tumblr and other sites went black to bring attention to SOPA/PIPA and to protect internet freedom? 

Well they are trying again, but this time they are taking it to the states. Today, Public Knowledge joined 12 other advocacy groups including freedomworks and engineadvocacy in an open letter to Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood. 

They letter concludes,"SOPA was a bad idea at the federal level," the letter concludes, "and any SOPA revival on a state level is an equally bad idea."

Read the full article here.