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Clinton Supports Rapid Development Of Online Commerce

But online leaders say government is moving too slowly on key policies

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, July 1) -- Under pressure from the online business community, President Bill Clinton today called for quick development of policies to help U.S. Internet entrepreneurs conquer "the Wild West of the economy."

Speaking to a group of high tech leaders in the White House's East Wing, the president pledged to enact crucial intellectual property and patent policies within 12 months. Drawing on the recommendations of a presidential task force, Clinton affirmed his commitment to help foster a wide array of international online commerce by 2000.

"In the 21st century, we can build much of our prosperity on innovations in cyberspace in ways that most of us cannot even imagine," the president said.

Despite his backing of legal restrictions on Internet indecency, which the Supreme Court last week struck down as unconstitutional, Clinton has advocated a tax-free, regulation-free business environment for online commerce. But some in the online community feel that the administration is still moving too slowly, especially regarding the sale of encryption devices.

"We don't feel the United States is necessarily in the lead on this," Sun Microsystems director Dennis Tsu told The Associated Press. To remain competitive, Tsu said, the U.S. needs to step up the pace on patents, copyrights, tariffs and intellectual property rights.

Industry analysts expect Internet commerce to generate about $200 billion in the U.S. by 2000.