|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EUROPEAN AUTHORITIES OPEN NEW MICROSOFT PROBES
ACTION FOLLOWS COMPLAINTS BY RIVALS
|
In this issue of the FINFlash Update...
|
LEAD STORY: EUROPE TARGETS MICROSOFT WITH TWO NEW PROBES
On January 14, the European Commission (EC) announced that it had launched two new investigations against Microsoft. The probes stem from complaints levied by a trade association representing several Microsoft rivals, including IBM, Sun Microsystems, and Oracle. Norwegian Web browser developer Opera also filed a complaint asking the EC to mandate that Microsoft ship the Opera browser with Windows. Though the EC is opening investigations, formal charges have not been made against Microsoft, which has pledged to cooperate fully with the EC’s probes.
Read more
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22650413/
LEGAL UPDATE: REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF U.S. SANCTIONS UNDER REVIEW
The historic U.S. antitrust case against Microsoft was resolved more than five years ago. Nevertheless, several state attorneys general have asked District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly to extend the sanctions under which Microsoft currently operates. The U.S. Department of Justice opposes this requested extension, saying that the settlement agreement (the Consent Decree) has worked and the technology industry is competitive. Judge Kollar-Kotelly has temporarily extended the sanctions and will soon rule on the requested five-year extension.
Read more...
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080102-states-stuggling-to-keep-microsoft-antitrust-decree-in-place.html
MICROSOFT NEWS: BILL GATES BIDS FAREWELL TO CES
On January 6, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates delivered his final keynote speech at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. In July, Gates will leave his full-time position at Microsoft to devote greater time and energy to the Bill & Melissa Gates Foundation. Gates said that the first digital decade has been a success, and “There’s nothing holding us back from going much faster and much further in the second digital decade.”
Read or Watch the Keynote
www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/billg/speeches/2008/01-062008CESBillGates.mspx
TECH TIP: OFFICE DOCUMENT COMPATIBILITY
Office Open XML (Open XML) is the default file format in the 2007 Microsoft Office System, and other software developers can use this format as well. In fact, the Apple iPhone can display Open XML documents, and Apple’s new iWorks incorporates Open XML as well. If you have an older version of Microsoft Office (back to Office 2000), you can create and read files in this advanced, open format, but first you need to download and install a compatibility pack, which can be found at:
www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=941B3470-3AE9-4AEE-8F43-C6BB74CD1466&displaylang=en
TAKE THE NEW TECH TRIVIA CHALLENGE
Test your knowledge -- or your online searching ability -- by taking our Tech Trivia Challenge. (Try Windows Live Search at www.live.com/.)
The demand for skilled foreign-born employees hired under the federal H1-B visa program has grown enormously in the U.S. technology sector. Once the application process started for 2008 visas, how long did it take for demand to use up all of the 85,000 allotted visas?
- 3 months
- 1 month
- 1 week
- 1 day
- 1 hour
To submit your answer and view the answer to the previous question, visit
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.
This time, we ask, "How often do you communicate with government officials (any level of government) to voice your views about public policies?"
Go to www.freetoinnovate.com to participate in the FIN Pulse.
Do you have a great tech trivia question that will stump FIN members? Send it to us (together with a verifiable answer by emailing msfin@microsoft.com.
For Top Stories and Tech Headlines, updated weekly, visit the FIN Web site:
www.microsoft.com/freedomtoinnovate/
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: www.freetoinnovate.com
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
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!