Playing Internet politics

 

latest developments

As the Internet economy grows, high-tech companies are stepping up their lobbying efforts, positioning themselves to shape industry regulations in their favor. Meanwhile, politicians have found that Silicon Valley holds a burgeoning crop of campaign cash.

Lobbying group acquires Internet Alliance The powerful Direct Marketing Association adds another tentacle to its Net policy lobbying body with the acquisition of the Internet Alliance trade group. Former Netscape counsel to head TechNet update Silicon Valley bipartisan lobbying group the Technology Network says Reed Hastings has stepped down as president and is being replaced by former Netscape general counsel Roberta Katz. Presidential hopefuls mine Silicon Valley The Valley is emerging as a key battleground in next year's U.S. presidential race, as executives of high-technology companies take a more active role in influencing policy.