|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PATENT REFORM LEGISLATION MOVES FORWARD
CHANGE AIMS TO IMPROVE PATENT QUALITY, LIMIT LITIGATION
|
In this issue of the FINFlash Update...
|
LEAD STORY: PATENT LEGISLATION MOVES FROM COMMITTEES TO FULL CONGRESS
On July 18 and 19, U.S. House and Senate committees approved legislation (H.R.1908/S.1145) that makes the most significant changes to the U.S. patent system in 50 years. The Patent Reform Act of 2007 must now be voted on by the entire House and Senate. The bill would modify how patents are filed and reviewed, as well as provide new opportunities to revisit patents after they have been granted. The aim is to strengthen the quality of patents and rein in excessive patent litigation. “Clearly, there is strong momentum behind these important bills," said Robert Holleyman, president and CEO of the Business Software Alliance.
Read more
www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/3690136
PRIVACY NEWS: ENHANCED PRIVACY PRINCIPLES RESPOND TO CONSUMER NEEDS
On July 22, Microsoft announced that it was proactively strengthening privacy policies to better meet the needs of consumers who use Microsoft online solutions, such as Windows Live. Consumers will benefit from improved privacy controls that enable them to opt out of ad targeting based on Web surfing history. “We are entering a new age of innovative, competitive solutions to online privacy issues,” said Ari Schwartz, deputy director of the Center for Democracy and Technology. “By playing an active role in developing such approaches, and embracing a call for comprehensive federal privacy legislation, Microsoft is helping to lead the way.”
Read more...
http://scmagazine.com/uk/news/article/672956/microsoft-announces-privacy-shake-up/
BROADBAND NEWS: NEW CONSUMER CHOICES COULD FOLLOW SPECTRUM AUCTION
The Federal Communications Commission voiced its support for including an “open access” requirement on a portion of radio spectrum that will be auctioned off next year. The airwave spectrum will be freed up when television companies move from analog to digital broadcasting. The “open access” policy would allow consumers to use any device to connect to the Internet on the newly available spectrum.
Read more...
www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/07/24/ap3946050.html
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: EUROPEAN COURT TO RULE ON SEPTEMBER 17
The European Court of First Instance (CFI) has announced that it will issue its ruling in the Microsoft competition case on September 17. In April 2006, the CFI heard Microsoft’s appeal against the European Commission, which has levied nearly $1 billion in fines against Microsoft and placed sanctions on the company. While the appeal has continued, Microsoft believes that it is in compliance with the EU’s requirements. Look for a FIN Alert when the ruling is announced.
Read more...
www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/17/business/EU-FIN-EU-Microsoft.php
TECH TIP: HELP TIMING THE AIRLINE TICKET MARKET
Sometimes the price of airline tickets seems to fluctuate like the stock market. One day, prices are up and the next day, they’re down. To help consumers see which way fares are trending, MSN Travel has teamed up with Farecast.com. This online service predicts which way prices are headed, which helps you time your ticket purchase. Learn more and try it out at:
http://travel.msn.com/default.aspx
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/.)
Microsoft hasn’t always been headquartered in the Seattle area. Where did the company begin?
- Albuquerque, NM
- Cambridge, MA
- Columbus, OH
- New York, NY
- Phoenix, AZ
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 month, we ask, “What keeps you from using a Wi-Fi hotspot?”
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!