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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
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Act Now To Help The Tech Industry And The Economy!
Late last year, FIN Members swung into action, contacting their U.S. Representatives and asking them to support Trade Promotion Authority or TPA. The House passed TPA, and now the Senate is taking up the debate. Every Senator needs to hear from FIN Members that TPA is good for the tech industry and the economy.
Here's how TPA works: it gives the President authority to negotiate international trade agreements, which then must be approved or rejected by Congress with an up-or-down vote. No amendments. No riders. No delay tactics.
Formerly called "Fast Track," this trade authority was a cornerstone of America's ability to negotiate international trade deals for more than 20 years. Now Congress needs to reauthorize TPA to enable the President to win trade agreements that benefit all U.S. industries, including the technology sector, and the economy as a whole.
TPA will strengthen America's global trade, which translates into high-tech jobs and economic growth. Here are some facts about global trade to remind your Senators:
- Over the last decade, exports have accounted for 25% of our nation's economic growth and supported more than 12 million jobs.
- In 2000, American companies exported $134 billion in high-tech products to over 180 countries.
- Exports account for more than half of the American software industry's annual revenues.
TPA will also help our high-tech industry fight more than $12 billion in annual losses caused by software piracy by making it easier to enter trade agreements that promote IP protection.
The technology industry is united in its support of TPA. Here's what some parties are saying about the importance of TPA:
http://www.comptia.org/aboutus/pr/pr020425.htm
http://www.aeanet.org/PressRoom/prtl_040502TPAdebatedeadline.asp
http://www.bsa.org/usa/press/newsreleases//2002-04-25.1074.phtml
http://allen.senate.gov/PressOffice/
HTTFApplaudsApprovalofTradePromotionAuthorityinFinanceCommittee.htm
Take Action Now!
Thanks to all the FIN Members who have taken action in the past. Now we need every FIN Member to take just a few minutes to let your U.S. Senators know where you stand on TPA. Follow the link below, and in a few easy steps, you can send e-mail that communicates your views on this critical issue.
http://www.freetoinnovate.com/
Senate Proposals on DRM, Privacy Wrong Approach
In March, Sen. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings (D-SC) introduced onerous Digital Rights Management (DRM) legislation that will hurt the technology industry. Now he is offering legislation that will burden the technology industry's efforts to protect privacy in a dynamic, innovative way (S.2201). Stay tuned to the FIN for more information about this legislation as it moves forward.
More Tech Issues on the Horizon
Several policy debates affecting the future of the technology industry are heating up in Congress. Here's a quick round-up of issues on the horizon.
- Not many people like unsolicited e-mail (spam). Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT) has introduced anti-spam legislation (S.630) that will be considered soon in the Senate Commerce Committee.
- Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) has drafted legislation aimed at fighting identity theft (S.1742). Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) has also introduced legislation on this issue (S.1399). This serious crime should be fought using technology as a tool, but without stifling innovation.
We will keep FIN Members up-to-date about the progress of these bills and their impact on the health of the technology industry.
Visit the FIN Website
To learn more about issues affecting the technology industry, visit the FIN website at:
www.microsoft.com/freedomtoinnovate
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