How the Republican Senate will impact tech
Early in his first term, President Obama told defeated Republicans that “elections have consequences.” Now that the Republicans will control the Senate and have an even bigger margin in the House, the proverbial shoe is on the other foot, and there will be consequences for the tech industry, some good, some bad, some too close to call.
You’ll likely see changes in immigration policy favoring companies that want to raise the cap on H-1B visas, but the already slim chances of any significant action to protect Net neutrality will fade to zero. There may well be legislation to continue the reform of the patent system, but more Congressional action to further curb government spying and data vacuuming is uncertain at best.
The tech industry has become a serious player in Washington, D.C., learning how to use lobbyists and campaign contributions to push an agenda. That won’t change, but tech companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft will get less clout per dollar, while telecom and cable giants will live large.
There was one clear victory for tech: the re-election of Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.). Franken has been firm in support of Net neutrality and against the NSA’s campaign of spying. He’s also on Comcast’s bad list -- a badge of honor -- because he opposes the dangerous merger of Comcast and Time-Warner Cable.
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http://www.infoworld.com/article/2843686/techology-business/republican-senate-affect-h-1b-net-neutrality-patent-reform.html
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Will create further draconian measures to protect "intellectual property."
Look for copyright to last 2,000 years past the life of the creator, and jail sentences for the slightest of "infringements."
Don't count out the possibility of shutting down restaurants that offend WB by singing Happy Birthday to patrons. Or basically the entire internet to get shut down for websites that "unlawfully" post trademarked/copyrighted material without express written permission from the license holder. (Otherwise known as paying $$$$$$$$$$$$$ for the "right" to "copy" a Windows logo into your forum message calling Windows 8 a POS.)
The fact that three nondescript black circles joined together in a particular shape pattern can be a "copyrighted" image, worth millions of dollars and even more millions in potential lawsuits, should shock anyone.
