Obama unveils tech plans

Presidential politics are in the air, and technology is taking off. To that end, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has wasted no time in unveiling a nine-page technology policy plan. Plenty of issues were left out, but he presented a glimpse of where he would take technology policy if he's elected president. He called for diverse media ownership, patent reform and using technology to make a more open and accessible government.

He also wants a better IT infrastructure, improved protection of intellectual property and permanent R&D tax credits. He does not think network providers should be allowed to charge fees to improve delivery of content or applications. "Users must be free to access content, to use applications, and to attach personal devices," Obama said in the plan, released by his campaign. "They have a right to receive accurate and honest information about service plans. But these guarantees aren't enough to prevent network providers from discriminating in ways that limit the freedom of expression on the Internet." Don't worry. This is just round one, and there will be plenty of talk about where to take technology in the coming years.

For more on Obama's tech proposal:
- See InformationWeek article