The convergence of technology also raises another series of questions. Actually digital technology and the information revolution require a fundamental review of conventional legal and policy structures. Thanks to digital technology, we can make as many copies of books and music as we like for almost no cost by using CD-R and other recording media. And we can distribute this content on-line to people around the world. But this copying and distribution threatens the ability of authors to receive compensation for their efforts.
Online privacy is another issue.
Suppose you go to a grocery store and buy milk for your baby. You can pay for this by credit card or debit card. Every time you pay at the register, computers can record the goods you buy and analyze your buying patterns or taste. Soon, you will receive a lot of direct mail for baby toys, baby clothes, and so on. What is common among these new policy issues is that we cannot give a good answer if we try to set rules only on vertical segments of the network.