Simon Higgs

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Simon Robert Higgs (born July 24, 1964) is the founder of Higgs Communications [1] and author of the Higgs' Laws series.

After leaving school, he completed an apprenticeship in telecommunications with British Telecom [2] but was later forced to leave BT as a result of a work-related injury. He spent several years working for non-profit missionary and relief organizations around the world during his recovery.

He emigrated to the US from his native England to enroll in Musician's Institute's GIT [3] program. He graduated in 1990 and was hired by Gibson Guitar Corp.[4] as an Artist Relations Consultant.

In 1993, his telecommunications background and experience with musicians and copyright owners led him to write a series of groundbreaking articles on copyright and downloading music.

In 1994, he founded internet start-up CouponNet, winning the CommerceNet '96 VIP Award for Best Online Community.

Also in 1994, he became the first applicant to IANA for a new top level domain [5]. In 1995, working under the direct guidance of Jon Postel, he wrote several notable Internet Drafts, which, while not being published as an RFC, first defined the domain name Registry/Registrar relationship. Some of this work is documented in Milton L. Mueller's book Ruling the Root: Internet Governance and the Taming of Cyberspace published by MIT Press. He is a founding member of the Open Root Server Confederation.

He co-produced Unicorn's Cosmic Storyteller CD [6], which was released in 2001 by Platform Records.

In 2004, he wrote The Guide To Selling Your Music In The iTunes Music Store (ISBN 0-9754650-0-7), which is primary aimed at music producers, artists and independent record labels.

In 2005, he produced Michelle Higgs' [7] debut CD entitled Healing Rooms, released by NSA Records.

Simon Higgs originated the "Higgs' Laws" series in 1993. The laws define the minimum elements needed for true convergence between the telecommunications, computer and entertainment industries.

1 Higgs' First Law Of Convergence
2 Higgs' Second Law Of Convergence
3 Higgs' Third Law Of Convergence
4 External links

[edit] Higgs' First Law Of Convergence

All bandwidth is bi-directional. That is the available bandwidth from A to B is the same as from B to A. Upstream and downstream pathways must be symmetrical to allow the same type of transmission (such as video-telephony) in both directions.

Author's note: Hardware designs are often engineered for asymmetrical use. 56k modems and ADSL are a good examples. However, for convergence to happen, open voice/video communication requires the use of the same protocol in both directions. For that to happen this law becomes true. This is a core foundation of network neutrality.

[edit] Higgs' Second Law Of Convergence

Technology is a tool. It does not discriminate between good uses and bad uses. Legislating against technology to prevent crime will have the adverse effect of making legal uses of technology completely illegal.

[edit] Higgs' Third Law Of Convergence

All copyrighted works ultimately become Public Domain works. When the copyrights expire, Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems must be made to release copyrighted works back into the Public Domain.