|
Legal Issues
Newsletters
Information
Industry and Innovation
 |
How to contact the FIN:
Microsoft Freedom to Innovate Network
16625 Redmond Way
Ste. M-447
Redmond, WA
98052-9724
call us at
1-888-321-3999
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A SPECIAL ISSUE OF THE FINFLASH UPDATE
LOOKING AHEAD IN 2007
|
In this issue of the FINFlash Update...
|
LEAD STORY: 2007 PROMISES FOCUS ON INNOVATION
In the U.S. and around the world, commentators, business leaders and elected officials are calling innovation a critical issue for 2007. Seattle Post-Intelligencer business columnist Bill Virgin says 2007 deserves the designation “The Year of Innovation” as a way of focusing “special attention and study” on this important driver of our economy. Carnegie Mellon University Technology Researcher Varun Dutt also declares 2007 “The Year of Innovation” -- in India’s Economic Times. The Korean Herald reports that “innovation” is one of the 2007 buzzwords for technology giant Samsung. In the U.S., the National Governors Association recently launched “Innovation America,” an initiative to help states promote innovation in 2007 and beyond.
As our name implies, the Freedom to Innovate Network (the FIN) will continue to focus on innovation in 2007. We’ll highlight advances in technology and call attention to policy initiatives that could help -- or hurt -- the freedom to innovate. Stay tuned throughout the year.
CONGRESSIONAL FORECAST: NET NEUTRALITY LEGISLATION
Congress returns to work in January with new leadership. One of the first technology issues likely to receive attention is Net Neutrality. Many technology companies, including Microsoft, eBay, Google and others, favor a free and open Internet unfettered by manipulation by broadband providers. Companies that provide broadband access should keep the Internet neutral, not provide special services and access for an extra fee.
Read More about Net Neutrality
http://news.com.com/Net+neutrality+push+expected+to+resume+in+Congress/2100-1028_3-6146678.html
Contact Your Legislators
Share your views about Net Neutrality -- and welcome your legislators to Washington, DC -- by sending an email. It’s easy when you visit:
www.freetoinnovate.com/"
LEGAL FORECAST: EUROPEAN COURT TO RULE ON MICROSOFT CASE IN 2007
In April 2006, the European Court of First Instance (CFI) in Luxembourg heard Microsoft’s appeal of the European Commission’s (EC) March 2004 ruling against the company for unfair competitive practices. Though Microsoft has complied with the EC ruling by paying fines, disclosing proprietary technology and designing a degraded version of Windows, the European courts have still not issued a decision in the case. While innovation and competition are thriving in the technology sector, Microsoft has been singled out for significant regulation in Europe and paid nearly $1 billion in fines. The CFI ruling, expected in the first half of 2007, could help clarify how technology will be regulated in Europe in the coming years. We’ll keep FIN members informed about this case as it progresses.
INTEROP NEWS: FINANCIAL SERVICE COMPANIES WELCOME MICROSOFT-NOVELL PACT
Last month, three financial service leaders -- Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse and AIG Technologies -- looked to Microsoft to become their Linux partner. As part of the Microsoft and Novell alliance announced on November 2, 2006, Microsoft is supporting Novell’s SUSE Linux and providing subscription certificates for the product. Executives at the three financial service companies all cited improved interoperability between Windows and Linux as a primary reason for tapping the benefits of the Microsoft-Novell pact.
Read more...
www.silicon.com/financialservices/0,3800010322,39164791,00.htm
WINDOWS VISTA PREVIEW: BACKUP AND RESTORE CENTER
Editor’s Note: Windows Vista, the next generation of Microsoft’s flagship operating system, is due to consumers at the end of January. In advance of the release, each FINFlash Update highlights a feature of Windows Vista and considers policy issues that impact this emerging technology.
Windows has long provided tools to help you back up data and restore programs on your computer. Many other companies have also provided software and services to help you protect your files. Now Windows Vista provides a single integrated Backup and Restore Center that enables users to back up settings, files and applications. This new feature makes backup easier, and the Windows platform allows other companies to deliver innovative ways to protect computers, including through online backup services.
Read more...
www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/features/foreveryone/backup.mspx
TECH TIP: GREET THE NEW YEAR BY BACKING UP YOUR COMPUTER
Since we’re on the topic of protecting your files, why not back up your computer today? Some people back up their files once each week, once each day or even more often. Just as you change batteries on your smoke detector, you should back up your files by copying them to a CD, DVD, external hard drive or another computer. For the most valuable files -- business documents, digital wedding photos and so on -- store backups away from your computer as well (e.g., in a safe-deposit box). To learn backup basics, visit:
www.microsoft.com/athome/security/update/backup.mspx
TAKE THE NEW TECH TRIVIA CHALLENGE
Guess before your search! Here’s another Tech Trivia question that tests your knowledge -- or online searching ability. (Check out new Windows Live Search at http://www.live.com/.)
In the world of high technology, there is always room for innovation. All of the products below were the first commercially available in their category, except one. Which one came second?
- IBM RAMAC hard disk drive
- Rio PMP 300 digital audio player
- Motorola DynaTAC 8000X handheld mobile phone
- Intel 4004 single chip microprocessor
To submit your answer and view the answer to the previous question, visit
https://www.freetoinnovate.com/ssl/techTrivia.asp
THE FIN PULSE
The FIN Pulse is an informal online poll that lets FIN members see how others use technology and think about policy issues.
In this month’s Pulse, we ask how often do you back up your computer.
Go to www.freetoinnovate.com to participate in the FIN Pulse.
Write us with your tips, trivia and FIN Pulse suggestions at msfin@microsoft.com.
For Top Stories and Tech Headlines, updated weekly, visit the FIN Web site:
www.microsoft.com/freedomtoinnovate/
Need help writing your legislator? You can find tips for communicating with legislators, along with news, tech policy information and more, at the Freedom to Innovate Network Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/freedomtoinnovate/
Back to top
Write us with your tips, trivia and FIN Pulse suggestions at: msfin@microsoft.com
And remember, it’s never too late to write your legislators to let them know what issues are important to you. To identify and email your legislators, visit: http://www.freetoinnovate.com
To view Microsoft's privacy policy, please go to: http://www.microsoft.com/info/privacy.mspx
Legal Information. http://www.microsoft.com/info/legalinfo/default.mspx
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What are Microsoft's Policy Priorities? |
|
|
|
Cyber Security
Privacy
Combating Spam
Intellectual Property
Spyware
Children's Online Safety
Internet Neutrality
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click here to join the FIN!