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MICROSOFT FILES APPEAL IN EU CASE
SANCTIONS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED
In this issue of the FINFlash Update...
- News Feature: Microsoft files EU appeal
- News Follow-Up: Appeals court approves Microsoft settlement
- Tech Policy Feature: Problems with federal spyware bill
- EXTRA! Tech leaders fight spam together
- Tech Tip: Avoiding “phishing” scams
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NEWS FEATURE: MICROSOFT APPEALS EUROPEAN ANTITRUST RULING
In early June, Microsoft filed its appeal against the European Commission’s antitrust ruling against the company. “We believe that the interest of consumers and other European companies should be at the heart of this case,” said Horacio Gutierrez, Associate General Counsel for Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa. “The Commission’s decision undermines the innovative efforts of successful companies, imposing significant new obligations on successful companies to license their proprietary technology to competitors, and restrict companies’ ability to add innovative improvements to their products.”
On June 25, Microsoft also filed a request that the Court suspend the sanctions imposed by the Commission while the appeal is moving forward. Two days later, the Commission itself temporarily suspended the sanctions while the Court reviews Microsoft’s request for a long-term suspension that would last throughout the course of the appeal. A ruling on this request could come within two months.
Read more:
http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/3365131
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=5522805
NEWS FOLLOW-UP: APPEALS COURT REJECTS MASSACHUSETTS’ ARGUMENTS
Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals turned back what is likely to be the last challenge to the settlement that Microsoft reached with the Department of Justice and several states in the landmark U.S. antitrust case. In a unanimous ruling, a six-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit rejected Massachusetts’ call for tougher sanctions against Microsoft. The court also rejected the appeals of two trade associations that represent Microsoft’s rivals. Microsoft senior vice president and general counsel Brad Smith said the ruling “sends a clear and emphatic message that the settlement reached two years ago is a fair and appropriate resolution.”
Read a synopsis of the case:
http://www.microsoft.com/freedomtoinnovate/ma/timeline.asp
Read the ruling:
http://pacer.cadc.uscourts.gov/docs/common/opinions/200406/02-7155a.pdf
TECH POLICY FEATURE: FEDERAL SPYWARE BILL COULD HURT INNOVATION
Online snooping and deceptive advertising practices should be stopped. But Congress is now considering a bill, H.R. 2929, “Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass Act” (the “SPY ACT”), that could block legitimate software operations and thwart innovation. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has gone on record to say that it already has the legal authority to take action against deceptive and unfair online practices, including the use of spyware. Furthermore, California and New York are considering spyware bills that would regulate various customer assistance technologies that do not share any of the deceptive or fraudulent characteristics of spyware. It makes sense to focus on deceptive practices, but not unwittingly prohibit or criminalize current and future technology that benefits consumers. You can send email to your legislators to let them know where you stand on this issue by visiting
http://www.freetoinnovate.com
Read more:
http://www.cbronline.com/currentnews/77ea9e5f0118250280256eba0032e329
EXTRA! NEW INITIATIVE IN THE BATTLE AGAINST SPAM
On June 22, the Anti-Spam Technical Alliance (ASTA), which includes Microsoft, America Online, Yahoo! and other tech leaders, issued recommendations and best practices for fighting junk email. The announcement came shortly after the FTC said that a national “do-not-spam” list wouldn’t help to stop spam. Because spammers often falsify their identities, the ASTA recommendations focus on technical ways to authenticate email. By working together, the tech industry is determined to turn back the online blight of spam.
Read more:
http://news.com.com/Alliance+turns+up+heat+on+spam/2100-1032_3-5243727.html
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/jun04/06-22ASTAPR.asp
TECH TIP: AVOID PHISHING SCAMS
Sometimes called “brand spoofing,” phishing scams use e-mail to bait computer users into providing valuable personal information, such as bank account, credit card and social security numbers. Fraudulent, but official-looking, e-mail from a seemingly trusted source -- a bank, a credit card company, an Internet provider -- lures victims to a scam website and requests information. These scams are on the rise, but caution can help you avoid becoming a victim.
Read guidelines for avoiding phishing scams:
http://www.antiphishing.org/consumer_recs.htm
In the last week of June, a new piece of malware appeared on the Internet. Like phishing scams, this program, which attacks PCs from infected websites, also aims to capture personal information. Protect yourself by keeping your virus and web browser software updated.
Learn more about this security threat:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/download_ject.mspx
Any comments about the new look of the FINFlash Update? Write us at msfin@microsoft.com
We’re hoping to add more new features later in the year.
For Microsoft news and voter information, visit the Freedom to Innovate Network at: www.microsoft.com/freedomtoinnovate/
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