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ADMINISTRATION CALLS ON CHINA TO FIGHT IP PIRACY
SECRETARY OF COMMERCE LINKS FAIR TRADE AND IP PROTECTION
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In this issue of the FINFlash Update...
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LEAD STORY: SEC. EVANS SAYS FAIR TRADE DEPENDS ON IP PROTECTIONS
Last month, outgoing U.S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans had blunt words about intellectual property (IP) violations in China. “U.S. companies deserve to have their products and proprietary knowledge protected from theft,” said Evans, who urged the Chinese government to take stronger steps to stop piracy. While Evans emphasized the importance of U.S.-Chinese relations, he stressed that, “Trade must take place through open markets on a level playing field.” Microsoft strongly supports the Department of Commerce’s effort to fight piracy and promote fair trade. Incoming Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez is expected to continue the fight against international software piracy, which costs billions of dollars every year.
Read more...
http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-01-13-voa16.cfm
TRADE NEWS: VOTE APPROACHES ON NEW FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
This year, Congress will vote on several trade issues that affect the technology industry and Microsoft. Look for lawmakers to soon debate the U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA). This agreement strengthens intellectual property protections, ensures fair treatment of products delivered on-line, reduces or eliminates tariffs, and establishes non-discriminatory, merit-based government procurement rules, which promote competition. The vote on CAFTA is expected to be close, and the FIN will likely ask you to contact your elected officials on this issue in the coming weeks.
Read Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer’s letter to Members of Congress urging support on this issue:
http://www.microsoft.com/freedomtoinnovate/industry/letter.aspx
POLICY NEWS: MICROSOFT SUPPORTS STATE ANTI-PHISHING AND ANTI-SPYWARE EFFORTS
Phishing scams are among the worst online crimes. Criminals use fraudulent email and Web sites to lure unsuspecting computer users into divulging personal information like bank account or credit card numbers. In Arizona, Microsoft is supporting legislation (SB 1447) that provides law enforcement with new tools to crack down on phishers. Microsoft is also supporting Arizona’s anti-spyware bill (HB 2414), which targets companies that place monitoring software on PCs without a user’s consent. Similar legislation could be coming to other states, too.
Read more...
http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/print.php/3452091
SECURITY NEWS: FIGHTING SPAM -- MILLIONS OF MESSAGES AT A TIME
Last month, Microsoft, along with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, filed suit against two Texas men who are accused of running a spamming operation that sent tens of millions of illegal emails. For evidence, Microsoft presented more than 20,000 emails, alleged to have been sent by the defendants. Under the federal CAN-SPAM act, the two men face up to $2 million in fines.
Read more...
http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/01/14/HNmsspammer_1.html
SEARCH NEWS: MSN SEARCH IS OUT OF THE LAB AND ONTO THE INTERNET
On February 1, Microsoft officially launched MSN Search, a new search engine built with technologies developed by Microsoft Research. After a test version was released last November, Microsoft gathered public feedback to help improve the product’s search capabilities and ease of use. The search engine now draws on more than 5 billion indexed web pages. It also lets you search the Encarta encyclopedia and even your own computer.
Try MSN Search
http://search.msn.com/
MICROSOFT NEWS: SPECIAL DIVIDEND RAISES INCOMES
With many of its legal challenges resolved, Microsoft issued a special cash dividend of $3 per share last December for a total payout to shareholders of $32 billion. Because an estimated 75 percent of the payout went to individual investors, U.S. personal incomes were lifted dramatically for the fourth quarter of 2004, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Read more...
http://www.bizreport.com/news/8629/
TECH TIP: FREE SERVICE LETS YOU CREATE YOUR OWN WEB LOG (BLOG)
During last year’s presidential election, we heard a lot about bloggers -- people who maintained a web log (or blog, for short) with their observations about the campaign. You can start your own blog with a free service called MSN Spaces. Your blog can include photos and commentaries, and you can control who has access to your blog. It’s a great way to start your own online book discussion, tell family and friends about a trip (and share photos) and more. To get started, visit:
http://spaces.msn.com/
NEW FEATURE, JUST FOR FUN: TECH TRIVIA
Have a little fun by testing your knowledge -- or your Internet search skills. Answer our Tech Trivia question on the FIN home page at:
http://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 and trivia 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
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