I am an independent policy strategist, journalist, activist and consultant with an evolving public-interest portfolio. My work tends to focus on a few key concerns: reclaiming the American commons, understanding how digital technologies are changing democratic culture, fighting the excesses of intellectual property law, fortifying consumer rights and promoting citizen action.

Most of my work these days is focused on the politics, economics and culture of the commons. In addition to speaking and writing frequently about the commons, I edit the web portal and blog OntheCommons.org. Newcomers to the commons might want to start by reading a terrific flyer, "Let's Reclaim the Commons," a report on The State of the Commons, a report on The Commons Rising, or any of my speeches.

My book Brand Name Bullies: The Quest to Own and Control Culture (John Wiley & Sons, 2005) tells some scary-serious stories about the abuse of intellectual property law to seize control of information, news, images, music, and even letters, silence, smells and yoga postures. It raises the question of whether free speech and creativity truly belong to everyone, or chiefly to commercial interests armed with high-priced lawyers.

I have a number of affiliations and diverse projects at any given time, but most of my work is done as:

Editor, OntheCommons.org

Senior Fellow, USC Annenberg School for Communication, The Norman Lear Center

Collaborator with television writer/producer Norman Lear

Co-founder and board member, Public Knowledge

Last updated January 16, 2007

Credit: Thomas Bollier