Universally adopted standards help turn global markets into level playing fields, while country-specific standards and unreasonable compliance requirements can erect effective trade barriers. When the barriers go up, international competitiveness goes down. In the long run, we all win when global standards win.
The federal government in the United States doesn't become activist in the standards area often. But when trade barriers begin to block U.S. goods, the Department of Commerce can swing into action.
When China and the United States stared across the negotiation table over a wireless security standard, China blinked. Or did it?
What do you get when you file a pro bono "friend of the court" brief in favor of honesty in standard setting? Why abuse, of course, from the loonies at the message boards. The Web allows everyone to share knowledge -- as well as prejudice, profanity and conspiracy theories.