ICOMP

A healthy online marketplace exists when organisations and individuals are able to produce content using transparent and competitive channels. Conditions are optimal when barriers to market entry are few and opportunities to thrive and capitalise upon the various online communities are without limit.

On 6th October 2009 ICOMP launched its document outlining 'Imperatives for a Healthy, Secure and Competitive Internet', which its Chairman, Lord Alan Watson of Richmond, presented to Commissioner Reding at the European Parliament.  To view the Imperatives, click here. 

Competition

Where multiple channels are available, it is important that everyone has an equal chance to participate. In the interest of maintaining a healthy marketplace; any dominant player must ensure that their business practices do not limit their exposure to competition.

They would do this to ensure that advertisers, content providers and consumers are afforded choice and the online economy can continue to flourish.

Transparency

When participants in the online marketplace support and facilitate the adoption of competition and transparency as core business practices; market players have the ability to make informed choices, innovate and maximise their capacity to succeed. 

This guarantees that commerce prospers and as consumers embrace the Web as an integral part of their lives, where their rights are protected.

• ICOMP Transparency White Paper: Openness and the Internet

On 6th October 2009, ICOMP launched the first in a series of White Papers looking at what is imperative for the future of a healthy online marketplace.  This White Paper focuses on transparency challenges in search and online advertising, called 'Openness and the Internet' (to view the report click here). 

Whilst the online advertising industry may at first appear marginal, in fact openness and transparency are imperative to the future health of the Internet as a whole.  Online advertising supports the vast majority of free online services that the public uses today, from news sites to social; networks.  Similarly, search is key in creating a healthy online marketplace as it acts as a gate-way to the Internet.