The Center for Internet and Society (CIS) is a public interest technology law and policy program at Stanford Law School and a part of Law, Science and Technology Program at Stanford Law School. CIS brings together scholars, academics, legislators, students, programmers, security researchers, and scientists to study the interaction of new technologies and the law and to examine how the synergy between the two can either promote or harm public goods like free speech, innovation, privacy, public commons, diversity, and scientific inquiry. CIS strives to improve both technology and law, encouraging decision makers to design both as a means to further democratic values. CIS provides law students and the general public with educational resources and analyses of policy issues arising at the intersection of law, technology and the public interest. CIS also sponsors a range of public events including a speakers series, conferences and workshops. CIS was founded by Lawrence Lessig in 2000.
CIS Faculty & Staff
Barbara van Schewick - CIS Faculty Director; Professor of Law and (by courtesy) Electrical Engineering
Elaine Adolfo - CIS Associate Director
We are also fortunate to have the support of our CIS Affiliates, who provide critical contributions to CIS and its mission.
Funding and Support Policies
Director's Funding
Barbara van Schewick’s salary, research support, and travel* are funded entirely through the general budget of Stanford Law School and are independent of the budget and funding of the Center for Internet and Society. She has received no direct or indirect corporate funding for her work with the Center for Internet and Society, Stanford Law School, or in her personal capacity.
* unless covered by event organizers.
Center Funding
The Center for Internet and Society is funded in part by the general budget of Stanford Law School, as well as through individual and organizational donors, foundation grants, attorney’s fees awarded in connection with litigation, and cy pres settlements.
Academic Independence
The Center for Internet and Society does not accept grants, donations, or any other support that would limit its ability to conduct research or other work free of outside influence.
Research at the Center for Internet and Society, Stanford Law School, and Stanford University is driven by faculty interest, initiative, and direction. Stanford University maintains strict policies for academic independence and research integrity, including explicit protections against sponsors who might seek to direct research outcomes or limit publication of results. The Center for Internet and Society adheres to these policies both as a matter of Stanford University policy and as part of its deep commitment to the integrity of its scholarship.
All donors to the Center agree to give their funds as unrestricted gifts.
When the Center receives grants from foundations, it spends the funds in accordance with the budget proposed in the grant application and reports to the foundation on the outcomes of the work supported by the grant.
The following lists show the year of each donor’s or grantmaker’s most recent support.
Past Donors (Year of Most Recent Gift)
BMW (2013)
Bosch Corporation (2013)
California I.S.P. Association, Inc. (2010)
Daimler (Mercedes-Benz) (2013)
Facebook, Inc. (2019)
Google, Inc. (2018)
Hyundai (2015)
Knight Foundation (2019)
Microsoft Corporation (2018)
National Internet Alliance (2010)
New Venture Fund (2016)
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (2013)
The Rose Foundation (2010)
Stanford Cyber Initiative (2016)
State Farm (2013)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc (2013)
Volkswagen/Audi (2014)
Volvo Cars (2013)
Past Grantmakers (Year of Most Recent Grant)
MacArthur Foundation (2016)
National Science Foundation (2016)
Cy Pres (Year Awarded)
Ashley Madison Customer Data Security Breach Litigation, NO. 15-md-02669-JAR - United States District Court Eastern District of Missouri (2018)
Fraley, et al. v. Facebook, In.c, et al., Case No. 11-cv-01726 - United States District Court for the Northern District of California (2016)
Katie Owusu, et al. v. MyTechHelp, LLC, et al., Case No. 13-cv-00896-DW - United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri (2015)
Google Referrer Header Privacy Litigation - Case No. 5:10-cv-04809-EJD - United States District Court, Northern District of California, San Jose Division (2013)
Quantcast Advertising Cookie Litigation, Clearspring Flash Cookie Litigation - Case No. 2:10-cv-07112-GW - United States District Court, Northern District of California (2011)
Netflix Privacy Litigation, Case No. 5:11-cv-00379, United States District Court, Northern District of California (2011)
Google Buzz Privacy Litigation - Case No. C 10-00672JW - United States District Court, Northern District of California, San Jose Division (2011)