ACT - Protecting Small Business Innovation

What happens to the art when the artist can’t make a living from his or her work?

2010-02-03T18:54:55-05:00

Why do we choose the products we choose, when there are so many alternatives? Viewers gravitate to the music, movies and art of professionals so it behooves us to allow those professionals who simply work harder and for longer on their craft to enjoy the fruits of that labor.

The New Question is: who DOESN'T have a new CPU?

2010-02-02T17:39:26-05:00

A while back we did a paper looking at the CPU marketplace and how new chips help to foster new software sales. Part of our work focused on the number of players that were looking to play in the netbook...

Principles vs. protection Hillary Clinton on Internet Freedom

2010-01-22T22:28:00-05:00

Yesterday, I attended Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s policy address on Internet Freedom at the Newseum in Washington, DC. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to ask Secretary Clinton a question after her speech. I am gratified and...

Microsoft Launches Corporate/Government Cooperation on Cloud Computing New Policies Could Help Protect Human Rights Online

2010-01-20T15:02:14-05:00

Today, Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith discussed the potential for cloud computing in the future and how government can help at the Brookings Institution. Smith suggested that there was a lot to be done to achieve a safe and open...

The Unfortunate Irony of Yesterday's FTC Lawsuit Against Intel

2009-12-17T13:24:00-05:00

As most readers know by now, the Federal Trade Commission ignored the pleas of ACT and 37 member companies for caution, and filed a lawsuit against Intel yesterday charging that the company has abused its dominant position in the computer...

From Pac-Man to Realistic Men: New ACT Paper on Software Creation Through Processor Innovation

2009-12-15T17:16:23-05:00

ACT represents the interests of software companies, but today we've released a new paper trumpeting the virtues of hardware. We highlight how software developers and computer chip makers increasingly depend on one another for better products. This symbiotic hardware/software relationship...

One Step Closer to a Single European Patent System

2009-12-09T13:21:22-05:00

After several rounds of negotiations, the Swedish Presidency announced last week that the EU Patent System was one step closer. We are of course very pleased to see that the dossier is moving forward; and we have continuously praised the...

Obama Administration Announces Open Government Directive

2009-12-08T22:49:43-05:00

Today, the Obama administration announced an ambitious new directive for improving transparency and openness in government practices - and the role technology can play in improving access to information. The plan makes it clear that the bias should be towards...

Thoughts on the CrunchPad Saga

2009-12-02T03:16:30-05:00

Earlier this week, influential tech blogger and aspiring cool product entrepreneur Michael Arrington announced that the eagerly anticipated CrunchPad was stillborn. Popular Mechanics prematurely heralded the planned low-cost tablet computer as one of the 10 Most Brilliant Products of 2009....

Who's Going Mobile (on the Internet)?

2009-12-01T19:13:32-05:00

We all know those "hyper-users" that are constantly connected with their cell phones, smartphones, or other mobile device. Often, they're the person next to you on the metro or standing in line. Often, they're young. And according to a new...