Davos to debate internet's future

Zurich after clashes between protesters and police

Some of the leading figures in the internet revolution will debate the future of the web on Monday at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

Bill Gates of Microsoft and Pierre Omidyar, the founder and Chairman of eBay, will be among those attempting to provide answers.

On Sunday a video debate between participants of the WEF in Davos and anti-globalisation summit, the World Social Forum, taking place concurrently in the Brazilian city of Porto Alegre, degenerated into a slanging match.

Earlier on Sunday, organisers of the World Social Forum announced that they intend to make the anti-Davos meeting an annual event.

Key questions expected to be addressed on Monday include how the internet can be policed, who will tax the goods traded on it and how mobile phones will change digital communication.

Gates will be debating the internet's future

A BBC correspondent in Davos, Patrick Bartlett, says the internet is in some sense the last frontier in the process of globalisation.

Who should have responsibility for controlling web content is a key question on the agenda in Davos.

The recent legal ruling in France ordering internet service provider, Yahoo, to prevent access to sites auctioning neo-Nazi memorabilia has sent shock waves through the industry.

Internet trade tax

As the internet becomes an increasingly important trading tool, industry leaders will be debating how, or whether, products sold on the net should be taxed and who should be entitled to levy the tax.

Try to imagine what globalisation can possibly mean to the half of humanity that has never made or received a phone call

Kofi Annan

But hanging over all these discussions will be the shadow of the so-called digital divide.

Just one person in 10 living in the world has access to the internet.

With the demonstrations against globalisation fresh in their minds, industry leaders know they have to do more to spread the benefits of the new technology.

Annan warning

Also on Sunday, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan called on business to work harder on environmental and social issues.

He warned delegates in Davos that unless business did so, the backlash against globalisation could gain momentum.

His call followed Saturday's anti-globalisation protests in Davos, which were quashed by riot police.

In Zurich there were serious clashes between police and anti-globalisation protesters late on Sunday.

More than 120 demonstrators were arrested.

The protesters were angry at being turned back after trying to reach the World Economic Forum.

Demonstrators hurled paving stones and bottles at police who replied with tear gas, water cannon and plastic bullets.