Bush Releases FY 2009 Budget
Proposal |
2/4. President Bush submitted his proposed budget for fiscal year
2009 to the Congress. See, White House press office
web page with hyperlinks to
relevant documents.
See also, related stories in this issue titled "Bush
Releases Proposed Budget and Legislative Proposals for FCC" and "Bush Releases
Proposed Budget for USPTO".
NSF. Under President Bush's proposal, the National
Science Foundation (NSF) budget would be increased from $6,033 Million in FY 2008 to $6,854
in FY 2009, with the budget for research and related activities being increased from
$4,805 Million to $5,594 Million. See, NSF
summary and
detail [PDF].
DOJ. The Department of Justice (DOJ) budget would
be decreased from $22,690 Million in FY 2008 to $20,267 Million in FY 2009. However, the
Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) budget would be
increased from $6,514 Million to $7,108 Million.
The DOJ's Antitrust Division's budget would be
increased from $147,819,000 to $150,591,000.
The President's budget proposal lacks specificity regarding either the
investigation or prosecution of intellectual property crimes or cyber or network
security crimes. Nor does the proposal disclose a budget for the DOJ's
Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section
(CCIPS).
The budget proposal for the Department of Commerce
(DOC) covers many technology related entities, including the USPTO, BIS, NTIA,
NIST, and others. See, DOC budget
summary and
detail [PDF]
Export Controls. Under Bush's proposal, the DOC's
Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS)
budget would be increased from $72,855,000 in FY 2008 to $83,676,000 in FY 2009.
The BIS regulates the export of, and other activities related to, dual use
items, including software, microprocessors, and encryption products.
NTIA. The DOC's
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has
responsibilities with respect to the management of spectrum used by federal
agencies. It is also an advisor and advocate of the executive branch on domestic
and international telecommunications issues. These functions, and funding
therefor, remain largely unchanged.
In addition, the NTIA has historically been used in the
distribution of grants. Bush's proposal would terminate the Department of
Commerce's (DOC) Public Telecommunications Facilities, Planning and Construction
Grants ($19 Million for FY 2008), which are administered by the NTIA.
The proposed budget states that "The awarding of new Public
Telecommunications Facilities, Planning and Construction grants is proposed for
termination in 2009. Since 2000, almost 70 percent of PTFP awards have supported
public television stations’ conversion to digital broadcasting, and mandated
conversion efforts are now largely completed. Funding for remaining digital
conversion and other activities is available from a number of other sources."
NIST. Bush's budget proposal provides that the
National Institute of Standards and Technology's
(NIST) budget would be increased from $440,517,000 in FY 2008 to $535,000,000 in FY 2009.
The budget proposal states that "As part of the President’s
10-year American Competitiveness Initiative to significantly increase Federal
funding for basic research in the physical sciences, NIST will target key
investments that promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness,
including, among other things: expanding NIST’s neutron facility to aid in
characterizing novel materials in high-growth research fields; improving
nanotechnology manufacturing capabilities; enhancing innovation in the
biosciences through measurement and standards development related to complex
life systems; increasing communications capabilities through research in optical
technologies; and enhancing cyber security by developing infrastructure needed
to respond to emerging online threats."
Bush's proposal would increase funding for NIST laboratories, but would
terminate the NIST's Technology Innovation Program (TIP), which was previously
known as the Advanced Technology Program (ATP).
Technology Administration. The Congress eliminated the DOC's Technology
Administration in August of 2007 in Section 3002 of HR 2272
[LOC |
WW],
the "America Competes Act of 2007", which is now Public Law No. 110-69.
Hence, Bush's budget proposal contains no proposed funding for
the Technology Administration..
CPB. The President's budget would reduce funding for the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), and independent
entity, from $448 Million in FY 2008 to $200 Million in FY 2009.
Rural Utilities. The President's budget would terminate the Department of
Agriculture's (DOA) Community Connect (Broadband) Grants ($13 Million in FY
2008) and Public Broadcast Grants ($5 Million in FY 2008).
It would reduce the DOA's Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants program
from $30 Million in FY 2008 to $20 Million in FY 2008.
FTC. Under President Bush's proposal, the
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) budget would be
increased from $243,864,000 in FY 2008 to $256,200,000 in FY 2009.
The budget proposal states that this will enable the FTC "to maintain the
current performance of its missions", which include both antitrust and consumer
protection, including from online fraud.
Funding for the FTC comes from the general fund, Hart Scott Rodino premerger
notification filings, and telemarketing fees.
OSTP. Under the President's proposal, the budget for the Executive
Office of the President's (EOP) Office of Science
and Technology Policy (OSTP) would be increased from $5,184,000 in FY 2008
to $5,303,000 in FY 2009.
PCLOB. The Privacy and Civil
Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) was created by The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism
Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA) as a board with the Executive Office of the President (EOP). The
Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, which President Bush signed
into law in August of 2007, converted the board into a separate agency within the executive
branch.
The President's budget proposal for the PCLOB for FY 2009 is $2 Million.
Tax Policy. The President's
proposed budget also contains several technology related taxation proposals.
First, it proposes to extend the research and experimentation tax credit.
Second, it proposes to repeal the excise tax on local telephone service.
Third, it would permanently extend the deduction for corporate donations of
computer equipment for educational purposes.
Reaction. Rep. John Dingell (D-MI), the
Chairman of the House Commerce Committee (HCC),
issued two releases.
He wrote in one release
that the "budget proposal regarding the communications sector offers much of what we have
seen in prior years, such as the ill-advised attack on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
and the proposed termination of the Telecommunications Development Fund. In the past, Congress
has wisely blocked these attempts, and I suspect Congress will do so again."
He continued that "While the President’s proposed budget would increase the Federal
Communications Commission’s budget for consumer outreach about the digital television transition,
I am concerned about the size of the increase."
He added that "The President has proposed an
additional $20 million dollars for educating consumers about digital
television. When added to the original $5 million that was allotted by the
Republican Congress that enacted this program, this is far too little to educate
a nation of 300 million people."
"Television is the primary
means by which the public receives news concerning public safety and national
security, so public awareness of the digital television transition is critical.
If we are truly concerned about the safety and security of our Nation, we should
not be attempting this transition on the cheap", said Rep. Dingell.
In a second release,
Rep. Dingell stated that "President Bush’s request for decreased funding for key Commerce
Department programs represents significant disregard for the well-being and productivity of
American workers and businesses. Moreover, these cuts fly in the face of the Commerce
Department’s purported goals of maximizing U.S. competitiveness and promoting innovation."
Rep. Dingell added that "I plan to seek detailed
clarification from Commerce Secretary Gutierrez about proposed funding decreases
for the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST). In my view, such irresponsible cuts will
hinder the Nation's capacity to generate robust economic growth."
Rep. Bernie Thompson (D-MS), the Chairman of
the House Homeland Security Committee, wrote in a
release that Bush's budget
proposal "neglects firefighters, police officers, and other emergency service providers
who respond to our calls for help by slashing their funding". However, he noted that
"The President has finally increased funding to secure federal government information
networks after grossly under-funding them for years."
Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN), the Chairman of the
House Science Committee, stated
in a release that
the proposed budget "proposes an incomplete and short-sighted plan to promote
U.S. competitiveness".
Rep. Gordon explained that this "budget boosts funding for basic research at
NSF, but doesn’t make education a priority". He also opposed elimination of the
NIST's Technology Innovation Program.
Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA) praised the
President's budget proposal for providing increased funding for implementation
of two statutes sponsored by Rep. Davis, the E-Government Act of 2002, and the
Federal Information Security Management Act.
Patricia Harrison, head of the CPB, stated in a
release that the
President's proposed cut to the CPB budget is "draconian".
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Bush Releases Proposed Budget and
Legislative Proposals for FCC |
2/4. President Bush released his budget proposal for the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It provides for an
increase from $313,000,000 in FY 2008 to $338,874,783 in FY 2009. The proposal also includes
several policy and legislative proposals.
Bush proposes to eliminate the Anti-Deficiency Act exemption for
certain universal service tax and subsidy programs. He also backed the use of
reverse auctions in awarding universal service high cost subsidies.
He also advanced several spectrum auction related legislative proposals. See,
budget proposal [PDF] for "Other Independent Agencies".
The FCC stated in a
release that "The requested FY 2009 funding level would provide funding to
conduct an outreach campaign to educate consumers about the impact and benefits
of the transition to Digital Television".
It also stated that "the request would allow the Commission to combat waste, fraud,
and abuse, in the Universal Service Fund".
And, it stated that the budget proposal would "replace Mobile Digital Direction Finding
(MDDF) vehicles that are used to
support public safety entities (e.g.,
emergency responders, police, fire departments) in the resolution of harmful
interference to their communications systems; establish a Public Safety
Clearinghouse Program that will significantly expand the Commission’s
coordination and outreach efforts targeted to the public safety community;
consolidate existing licensing systems to improve the Commission’s management
and processing of licensing transactions; and strengthen management and
oversight of the Commission’s financial and accounting processes."
(Parentheses in original.)
Finally, the FCC stated that "The request would also provide funds to cover
mandatory increases in salaries and benefits and inflationary increases for
contractual services."
Universal Service. The budget proposal for the FCC states that "The
Administration supports Universal Service Fund reforms, such as the use of
reverse auctions to allocate High Cost subsidies, that will help ensure
subsidies are well-targeted, demonstrate results, and minimize the burden to
ratepayers. In addition, the Administration will pursue means to strengthen USF
financial and program management, to minimize waste, fraud, and abuse. The
programs can be managed successfully consistent with standard financial controls
such as the Anti-Deficiency Act, which protect program beneficiaries and
ratepayers."
It elaborates that "The Administration strongly opposes provisions that
exclude the Universal Service Fund (USF) from the financial management
protections provided by the Anti-Deficiency Act and restrict the types of USF
reforms that can be considered by the Federal Communications Commission. These
provisions unnecessarily increase the risk of financial mismanagement of the
Fund and limit reforms that could improve the efficiency of the program and
reduce burdens on telephone ratepayers."
Spectrum Auctions. Bush proposed "legislation to extend indefinitely
the authority of the Federal Communications Commission to auction spectrum
licenses, which expires on September 30, 2011."
He also proposed legislation to provide the FCC "with new
authority to use other economic mechanisms, such as fees, as a spectrum
management tool. The Commission would be authorized to set user fees on
unauctioned spectrum licenses based on spectrum-management principles. Fees
would be phased in over time as part of an ongoing rulemaking process to
determine the appropriate application and level for fees. Fee collections are
estimated to begin in 2008, and total $4.1 billion through 2018."
Bush also proposed legislation "to ensure that spectrum licenses
for predominantly domestic satellite services are assigned efficiently and
effectively through competitive bidding. Services such as Direct Broadcast
Satellite and Satellite Digital Audio Radio Services were assigned by auction
prior to a 2005 court decision that questioned this practice on technical
grounds. By clarifying through legislation that auctions of licenses for these
domestic satellite services are authorized, prior policy of the Federal
Communications Commission will be restored. Auction receipts associated with
this clarification are estimated to begin in 2008, and total $593 million
through 2018."
Finally, Bush proposed "legislation to improve the management of hybrid terrestrial
-- satellite mobile communications spectrum licenses by setting a fee on the terrestrial
authority of these integrated networks. Under current policy, these licenses are granted free
of charge, though providers will compete with terrestrial wireless carriers that have purchased
licenses at auction."
The budget proposal continues that "Setting a fee on the
Ancillary Terrestrial Component of Mobile Satellite Service licenses will help
to ensure that the radio spectrum is put to its most highly valued use by
promoting consideration of the economic value of the spectrum, providing
incentive for timely and robust network development, and improving equity
relative to service providers that purchase their spectrum licenses in
auctions."
The budget proposal states that "Receipts associated with this
policy are estimated to begin in 2008, and total $1.16 billion through 2018."
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Bush Administration Opposes Senate Version
of Patent Reform Act |
2/4. Nathaniel Wienecke, of the Department of Commerce, sent a
letter
[6 pages in PDF] to Sen. Patrick Leahy
(D-VT), the Chairman of the Senate
Judiciary Committee (SJC), and the other members of the SJC, announcing and
explaining the Bush administration's strong opposition to S 1145
[LOC |
WW], the "Patent
Reform Act of 2007", in its current form.
Also, the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office (USPTO) announced that Jon Dudas, head of the USPTO, will
hold a media availability by teleconference on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, at
10:30 AM, to discuss the Bush administration's views on S 1145.
The SJC approved S 1145 on July 19, 2007. However, the full
Senate has not yet approved the bill.
The related bill in the House is HR 1908
[LOC |
WW],
also titled the "Patent Reform Act of 2007". The House passed that bill on
September 7, 2007, by a vote of 220-175. See,
Roll Call No.
863.
The release
states that "The Administration strongly opposes S. 1145 in its current form,
but strongly supports passage of balanced patent modernization legislation. Any
changes must be carefully considered and balanced to encourage all innovators
and business models. The Administration opposes S. 1145 because it does not
strike the right balance for all innovators. Unless the provisions limiting
inventors’ rights to obtain damages are significantly revised, the
Administration believes the resulting harm to the U.S. intellectual property
(IP) system would outweigh the bill’s many useful reforms."
"The Administration continues to strongly support the passage of patent
modernization legislation that improves patent quality and reduces litigation
costs. In fact, the Administration agrees with many of the bill’s provisions—
and believes that those provisions pertaining to applicant quality submissions
are the only ones that serve to maximize quality in the U.S. IP system. The
Administration will continue to work with Congress to enact legislation that
will promote innovation throughout all sectors of the economy."
Wienecke's letter states that "The Administration continues to oppose Section
4, ``Right of the Inventor to Obtain Damages.´´ Consequently, we continue to
oppose S. 1145 -- in its entirety -- unless Section 4 is significantly revised,
as we believe the resulting harm to a reasonably well-functioning U.S.
intellectual property system would outweigh all the bill's useful reforms."
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Bush Releases Proposed Budget
for USPTO |
2/4. President Bush released his budget proposal for the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This proposal is part of Bush's proposal for the
Department of Commerce (DOC). See,
summary and
detail [PDF].
The President and Congress have historically employed budgetary smoke and mirrors to the USPTO,
under which funding for the USPTO is provided by user fees, with some fees sometimes being
diverted to subsidize the rest of the federal government's operations.
Bush's just released budget proposal contains the following
language for the USPTO. "For necessary expenses of the United States
Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) provided for by law, including defense of
suits instituted against the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual
Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office,
[$1,915,500,000] $2,074,773,000, to remain available until expended: Provided,
That the sum herein appropriated from the general fund shall be reduced as
offsetting collections assessed and collected pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1113 and 35
U.S.C. 41 and 376 are received during fiscal year [2008] 2009, so as to result
in a fiscal year [2008] 2009 appropriation from the general fund estimated at
$0: Provided further, That during fiscal year [2008] 2009, should the total
amount of offsetting fee collections be less than [$1,915,500,000]
$2,074,773,000, this amount shall be reduced accordingly: Provided further, That
any amount received in excess of [$1,915,500,000] $2,074,773,000 in fiscal year
[2008] 2009, in an amount up to $100,000,000, shall remain available until
expended:"
That is, under this language, the USPTO is to be funded out of
user fees. The President projects a budget of $2,074 Million. However, if fees
are less, then the USPTO budget will be so reduced. If fees are over $2,074 Million,
then the first $100 Million would go to the USPTO, but any fees above that would
be diverted to subsidize the rest of the government, rather than to pay for
improved operation of the USPTO.
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February Events Outside of
Washington DC |
February 7-8.
The Computer Law Association (CLA) will
host a two day event titled "4th International Asian Conference". See,
conference web site. Location:
Mumbai, India.
There will be a two day event titled "9th Annual Privacy and Security
Conference and Exposition". Hugo Teufel, the Chief Privacy Officer of the
Department of Homeland Security, will speak on February 7. See,
notice. Location:
Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia,
Canada.
February 6-12.
The American Bar Association (ABA) will host an event titled "ABA Midyear
Meeting". Location: various venues in Los Angeles, California.
February 7-9.
The American Bar Association's (ABA) Section
of Intellectual Property Law (SIPL) will meet. On Friday, February 8 at 9:45 - 10:45 AM
the SIPL and the Section of Science and Technology
Law will host a panel titled "Can Attorneys Go Undercover: Ethical Issues in
Intellectual Property Pretext Investigations". On Saturday, February 9 at 8:30 -
10:00 AM the SIPL will host a panel titled "Protection of Entertainment IP in the
Digital Age"; at 10:15 - 11:30 AM there will be a panel titled "Fun IP
Issues in Entertainment Law"; and at 1:45 - 5:00 PM there will be two
panels titled "IP and Business". See,
schedule
[PDF]. Location: Beverly Wilshire, Los Angeles California.
Friday, February 8.
1:30 - 3:30 PM. The National
Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) Commerce
Spectrum Management Advisory Committee will meet. See, NTIA
notice and
notice in the Federal Register,
January 2, 2008, Vol. 73, No. 1, at Pages 170-171. Location: Department of Commerce,
Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, 325 Broadway, Room 1-1103/05, Boulder,
Colorado.
February 10-11.
The University of Colorado's Silicon
Flatirons Program (SFP) will host a two day conference titled "The Digital
Broadband Migration: Information Policy for the Next Administration". See,
notice, and details below. Location: University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado.
Friday, February 22.
7:30 PM. Dinner preceding the "3rd Annual Communications Law & Policy
Symposium". Location: Genesee Grand Hotel,
1060 E. Genesee Street, Syracuse, New York.
Saturday, February 23.
The Federal Communications Bar Association's (FCBA)
New York Chapter and the Communications Law and Policy Society at
Syracuse University College of Law will co-host an event
titled "3rd Annual Communications Law & Policy Symposium"
and "FCCbook: Evolving Communications Law to Embrace Modern Challenges".
The agenda includes panels titled "The Future of Radio", "The Free and Open
Internet: 700 MHz and Beyond", "Free Speech as a Global, Human Right",
"Disability and Equal Access Issues in Communications Law and Policy", and
"Preventing Another Virginia Tech Tragedy: Communications Technology and Public
Safety". There will also be tutorials titled "The FCC -- A Year in Review"
and "Communications Issues in the 2008 Election". For more information, contact
Kelly Bunch at kjbunch at syr dot edu. Location:
Genesee Grand Hotel, 1060 E.
Genesee Street, Syracuse, New York.
February 24-27.
CompTel will host a four day event titled
"Spring 2008 Convention & Expo". See,
notice. Location: The
Gaylord Opryland, Nashville, Tennessee.
February 26-27.
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)
will hold a convention titled "Digital Music Forum East". See,
conference web site.
Location: Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, New York City, New York.
February 26-29.
The Carter Center will host a
four day conference titled "International Conference on the Right
to Public Information". See, Carter Center's Access to Information Project
web page.
Location: Atlanta, Georgia.
Friday, February 29.
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM. The Federal Communications Bar Association's (FCBA) Florida Chapter
will host a seminar titled "Recent FCC regulations impacting real estate developer/owner
agreements with communications companies". The price to attend ranges from $35-$50.
Location: Gray Robinson law firm, 201 North Franklin Street, Suite 2200, Tampa, Florida.
There will also be live video conferencing at Gray Robinson's Orlando office, 301 East Pine
St., Suite 1400, Orlando, Florida.
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Highlights of Silicon Flatirons
Conference Boulder, Colorado |
Sunday, February 10. |
9:30 - 10:15 AM. Opening speeches by
Phil Weiser
(SFP), Jonathan Adelstein (FCC
Commissioner), and
Jonathan Liebowitz (FTC Commissioner). |
10:15 - 11:30 AM. Panel titled "The Dynamics of Information
Policy". The speakers will be Phil Weiser, Michael Altschul (CTIA), Kathryn Brown (Verizon),
Andrew Crain (Qwest),
Jonathan Leibowitz
(FTC), and Pam Samuelson (UC
Berkeley). |
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM. Speech by Lawrence Lessig
(Stanford law school). |
12:15 PM. Lunch. |
1:30 - 3:30 PM. Panel titled "Broadband Policy". The speakers
will be David Ellen (SVP of Cablevision Systems),
Robert Atkinson (Information
Technology and Innovation Foundation),
Jon Nuechterlein (Wilmer Hale),
Howard Shelanski (UC Berkeley law school),
Kevin Werbach (Wharton
School), Joe Waz (VP, Comcast), and Rick Whitt (Google lobbyist). |
3:45 PM. Panel titled "Spectrum and Wireless Policy". The
speakers will be Ari Fitzgerald
(Hogan & Hartson), Stuart
Benjamin (Duke law school), Ellen
Goodman (Rutgers School of Law -- Camden),
Tim Wu (Columbia University law school),
Mark Cooper (Consumer Federation of America),
Bryan Tramont (Wilkinson Barker
Knauer), and Stephen Williams (U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit). |
Monday, February 11. |
8:30 - 8:45 AM. Speech by Ron Binz (Colorado Public Utilities
Commission). |
8:45 - 10:45 AM. Panel titled "Privacy, Security and
Government Surveillance". The speakers
will be Paul Ohm
(University of Colorado law school),
Julie Cohen (Georgetown University law school),
Edward Felten (Princeton),
Orin Kerr (George
Washington University law school),
Peter Swire (Ohio State
University law school), Scott Charney (Microsoft), Chris Painter (USDOJ), and
Lior Strahilevitz
(University of Chicago law school). |
11:00 - 1:00 PM. Panel titled "Intellectual Property Reform". The
speakers will be Natalie Leh
(Faegre & Benson),
Mark
Lemley (Stanford law school), Arti
Rai (Duke law school),
Chris Sprigman
(University of Virginia law school),
Brad Feld (Foundry
Group and Mobius Venture Capital), Preston Padden
(EVP, Disney), and Gigi Sohn (Public
Knowledge). |
1:00 - 2:15 PM. Lunch. The speaker will be
Jim Crowe (CEO of Level 3 Communications). |
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Tuesday, February 5 |
The House will not meet. See, Rep. Hoyer's
calendar
[PDF] for week of February 4.
The Senate will meet at 10:00 AM for morning
business. It will then resume consideration of HR 5140
[LOC |
WW],
the "Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of
2008".
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM. The National
Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Visiting Committee on Advanced
Technology (VCAT) will meet. See,
notice in the Federal Register, January 15, 2008, Vol. 73, No. 10, at Page 2458-2459.
Location: Employees Lounge, Administration Building, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD.
10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of
Appeals (FedCir) will hear oral argument in Golden Bridge Tech v. Nokia,
a patent infringement case, App. Ct. No. 2007-1215, an appeal from the U.S. District Court
(EDTex), D.C. No. 2:05-cv-151. Location: Courtroom 201, 717 Madison Place, NW.
10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of
Appeals (FedCir) will hear oral argument in Prism Technologies v. Verisign,
a patent infringement case involving hardware keys for authentication over networks, App.
Ct. No. 2007-1315. This is an appeal from the U.S. District Court (DDel), D.C. No.
CA 05-214-JJF. Location: Courtroom 402, 717 Madison Place, NW.
10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of
Appeals (FedCir) will hear oral argument in Nazomi Communications v.
ARM, a patent infringement case, App. Ct. No. 2007-1190. Location:
Courtroom 203, 717 Madison Place, NW.
10:00 AM - 12:00 NOON. The Department of State's (DOS)
International
Telecommunication Advisory Committee will meet to prepare advice on U.S. positions
for the April 2008 meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS) Inter-American
Telecommunication Commission (CITEL) Permanent Consultative Committee II (Radiocommunication
including broadcasting) (PCC.II) and on various matters associated with the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC). See,
notice in the Federal Register, January 16, 2008, Vol. 73, No. 11, at Page 2978. Location:
Room 6B516, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 445 12th St., SW.
10:30 AM. Jon Dudas, head of the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will hold a
media availability to discuss Bush administration's views on S 1145
[LOC |
WW], the "Patent
Reform Act of 2007". The number is 800-779-8694; the code is #35841. See, USPTO
notice.
1:00 - 4:00 PM. The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance
Board's (ATBCB) Telecommunications and Electronic and Information Technology Advisory
Committee (TEITAC) will meet by conference call. See,
notice in the Federal Register, January 24, 2008, Vol. 73, No. 16, at Page 4132.
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Wednesday, February 6 |
The House will meet at 2:00 PM for legislative
business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 PM. The House will consider
S 781 [LOC |
WW], the
"Do-Not-Call Registry Fee Extension Act of 2007". See, Rep. Hoyer's
calendar
[PDF] for week of February 4.
8:00 AM - 12:00 NOON. The National
Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST)
Visiting Committee on Advanced
Technology (VCAT) will meet. See,
notice in the Federal Register, January 15, 2008, Vol. 73, No. 10, at Page 2458-2459.
Location: Employees Lounge, Administration Building, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD.
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM. The Department of Justice's (DOJ)
Antitrust Division and the
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will jointly host a public
workshop titled "2008 International Technical Assistance Workshop: Charting the Future
Course of International Technical Assistance at the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal
Trade Commission". See,
notice.
Location: FTC Conference Center, 601 New Jersey Ave., NW.
9:00 AM - 1:30 PM. The Federal
Communications Commission's (FCC) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB)
will host a "summit on issues relating to the deployment and use of Next Generation
911 technology and the coordination of those efforts among Public Safety Answering Points,
the telecommunications industry and manufacturers". See,
notice
[PDF] and registration page. Location:
Commission Meeting Room, FCC, 445 12th St., SW.
10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of
Appeals (FedCir) will hear oral argument in LSI Industries v.
Imagepoint, a patent infringement case, App. Ct. No. 2007-1292.
Location: Courtroom 201, 717 Madison Place, NW.
10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals
(FedCir) will hear oral argument in O2 Micro International v. Beyond Innovation
Technologies, a patent infringement case, App. Ct. No. 2007-1302. This is an appeal
from the U.S. District Court (EDTex), D.C. No. 2-04-CV-32 (TJW). See, District Court's March
21, 2007,
Memorandum Opinion and Order [PDF]. Location: Courtroom 402, 717 Madison
Place, NW.
10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of
Appeals (FedCir) will hear oral argument in Ampex v. Eastman Kodak, a
patent infringement case, App. Ct. No. 2007-1089. This is an appeal from the U.S. District
Court (DDel), D.C. No. 04-1373-KAJ. Location: Courtroom 203, 717 Madison Place, NW.
10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of
Appeals (FedCir) will hear oral argument in Metropolitan Life v.
Bancorp, App. Ct. No. 2007-1312.
Location: Courtroom 203, 717 Madison Place, NW.
12:00 NOON - 1:30 PM. The Federal Bar
Association (FBA) will host an event titled "The 9/11 Act -- Overview
and Authorities". The price to attend ranges from $10-$15. See,
registration page.
Location: Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Town Hall, 601 S. 12th
St., Arlington, VA.
6:00 - 8:15 PM. The Federal
Communications Bar Association's (FCBA) Cyberspace and International Practice Committees
will host an event titled "Broadband Deployment and Take-up: What Are the Experiences
of Various Countries?" This event offers continuing legal education (CLE) credits.
See,
notice and registration page. The price to attend ranges from $25 to $135.
Registrations are due by 5:00 PM on February 4. Location:
Dow Lohnes, 1200 New Hampshire Ave., NW.
TIME? Day one of a two day closed meeting of the Department of Defense's
(DOD) Defense Science Board. The DOD has not disclosed the agenda. See,
notice in the Federal Register, January 2, 2008, Vol. 73, No. 1, at Pages
173-174. Location: Pentagon, Arlington, VA.
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Thursday, February 7 |
The House will meet at 10:00 AM for legislative business. See, Rep. Hoyer's
calendar
[PDF] for week of February 4.
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM. The U.S.-China Economic and
Security Review Commission will hold a public meeting titled "The Implications of
Sovereign Wealth Fund Investment on National Security". See,
notice in the Federal Register, January 22, 2008, Vol. 73, No. 14, at
Pages 3804-3805. Location: Room 562, Dirksen Building, Capitol Hill.
10:00 AM. The House Judiciary Committee
(HJC) will hold
a hearing titled "Oversight Hearing of the Department of Justice". See,
notice.
Location: Room 2141, Rayburn Building.
10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of
Appeals (FedCir) will hear oral argument in Gammino v. Southwestern
Bell, one of several related patent infringement cases involving an
algorithm for blocking international telephone calls. This appeal, App. Ct. No. 2007-1201,
is from the U.S. District Court (NDTex), D.C.
No. 3:2005cv00850, which entered summary judgment for Southwestern Bell (AT&T).
See, 512 F.Supp.2d 626. Location: Courtroom 201, 717 Madison Place, NW.
10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals
(FedCir) will hear oral argument in Avocent Huntsville v. Aten International,
a patent infringement case, App. Ct. No. 2007-1553. This is an appeal from the U.S. District
Court (NDAlab). Location: Courtroom 203, 717 Madison Place, NW.
TIME? Day two of a two day closed meeting of the Department of Defense's
(DOD) Defense Science Board. The DOD has not disclosed the agenda. See,
notice in the Federal Register, January 2, 2008, Vol. 73, No. 1, at Pages 173-174.
Location: Pentagon, Arlington, VA.
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Friday, February 8 |
The House will meet at 10:00 AM for legislative
business. See, Rep. Hoyer's
calendar
[PDF] for week of February 4.
11:00 AM. The
House Judiciary Committee's (HJC) Task Force on
Antitrust and Competition Policy will hold a hearing titled "Hearing on the State
of Competition on the Internet". See,
notice. Location: Room 2141,
Rayburn Building.
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Monday, February 11 |
10:00 AM. Deadline for all parties except foreign governments to
submit comments to the Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative (OUSTR) to assist it in making Special 301 identifications of
countries that deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights or deny
fair and equitable market access to U.S. persons who rely on intellectual property protection.
See, story titled "OUSTR Seeks Special 301 Comments on Countries that Deny Adequate IPR
Protection" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,703, January 22, 2008, and
notice in the Federal Register, January 16, 2008, Vol. 73, No. 11, at
Pages 2958-2959.
Deadline to submit initial comments to the
Copyright Office (CO) in response to its Notice of
Inquiry (NOI) regarding the meaning of the Copyright Act's term "cable system",
and issues related to the phantom signal phenomenon. See,
notice in the Federal Register, December 12, 2007, Vol. 72, No. 238, at
Pages 70529-70540, and story titled "Copyright Office Issues Notice of Inquiry
Regarding Cable Systems" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,688, December 13, 2007.
Deadline to submit comments to the Office of
the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) in response to its notice of
proposed rulemaking regarding ODNI policies for collecting and maintaining
personally identifiable records and processes for administering requests for
records under the Privacy Act of 1974, which is codified at
5 U.S.C. § 552a(b). See,
notice in the Federal Register, January 2, 2008, Vol. 73, No. 1, at Pages
113-125. These proposed rules allow for the disclosure of information to
courts, government agencies, Congress, any Congressional committee or
subcommittee, and a consumer reporting agency (in accordance with
31 U.S.C. § 3711(e)). These proposed rules also enumerate numerous
exemptions of records systems under the Privacy Act.
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Tuesday, February 12 |
Day one of a two day meeting of the Department of Homeland Security's
(DHS) Homeland Security Information Network Advisory Committee. See,
notice in the Federal Register, January 11, 2008, Vol. 73, No. 8, at Page
2058. Location: Bolger Center, 9600 Newbridge Drive, Potomac, MD.
1:00 - 4:00 PM. The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance
Board's (ATBCB) Telecommunications and Electronic and Information Technology
Advisory Committee (TEITAC) will meet by conference call. See,
notice in the Federal Register, January 24, 2008, Vol. 73, No. 16, at Page 4132.
6:00 - 8:15 PM. The
Federal Communications Bar Association's (FCBA) Diversity
Committee will host an event titled "FCC Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
Rules". This event offers continuing legal education (CLE) credits. The speakers
will be Larry Walke (NAB), Lewis Pulley (FCC, Media Bureau, Policy Division), and David
Honig (Minority Media and Telecommunications
Council). The price to attend ranges from $25 to $135. Location:
Wiley Rein, 1776 K St., NW.
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