A new US lobbying group is being formed to strengthen and protect an open, innovative and free Internet. So far it has a website and Michael Beckerman has been appointed as its President and CEO.

Pressure from Internet providers and Internet users succeeded in defeating, or at least shelving, SOPA and PIPA earlier this year and served to demonstrate that the Internet needs allies when it comes to defending its freedom to be open and innovative.

Graphic:Mike Licht

The Internet Association, is proclaiming itself to be:

the nation’s first trade association representing the interests of the Internet economy and America’s leading Internet companies

and it is widely anticipated that its founding members are Amazon. eBay, Facebook and Google.

The current face of the Internet Association is Michael Beckerman who, as former Deputy Staff Director to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, has a long record of Internet policy experience.

In his statement he writes:

"Our top priority is to ensure that elected leaders in Washington understand the profound impacts of the Internet and Internet companies on jobs, economic growth and freedom.
“No one can predict what innovations will happen next. But we do know that the Internet’s decentralized and open model is what has enabled its unprecedented growth and innovation. We must guard against misguided attempts to handcuff this incredible source of job creation, freedom and creativity.”