CCIA et al. District Court Amicus in Tafas v. Dudas
File Under: News, CCIA
Dec 20, 2007
Washington, DC - CCIA joined with a broad coalition of non-profit and public interest groups today, filing an amicus curiae (or "friend-of-the-court") brief in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, where pharmeceutical and biotechnology companies, joined by patent attorneys, are challenging new rules by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) designed to prevent abuse of the patent system. In support of the USPTO, CCIA and other amici urged immediate implementation of the new rules, which impose minimal burdens upon patent applicants in order to prevent well-documented abuses of the patent application process.
CCIA Applauds Federal Circuit Decisions Limiting Patent Subject Matter
File Under: News, 2007, CCIA
Sep 20, 2007
Washington, D.C. - The Computer & Communications Industry Association today applauded two opinions of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit that limited the scope of patentable subject matter, In re Nuitjen and In re Comiskey.
“These are landmark decisions, said CCIA President Ed Black. “Since the Federal Circuit abolished the exclusion for business methods in the 1998 State Street decision, it has often been assumed that there are no limits – that you can patent anything.”
The Comiskey opinion states unequivocally “the application of human intelligence to the solution of practical problems is not in and of itself patentable.” It suggests that tangible technology must be involved –
Fair Use Economy Represents One-Sixth of U.S. GDP
File Under: News, 2007, Copyright, CCIA
Sep 12, 2007
WASHINGTON D.C. - Fair Use exceptions to U.S. copyright laws are responsible for more than $4.5 trillion in annual revenue for the United States, according to the findings of an unprecedented economic study released today. According to the study commissioned by the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) and conducted in accordance with a World Intellectual Property Organization methodology, companies benefiting from limitations on copyright-holders’ exclusive rights, such as “fair use” – generate substantial revenue, employ millions of workers, and, in 2006, represented one-sixth of total U.S. GDP.
The exhaustive report, released today at a briefing on Capitol Hill, quantifies for the first time ever the critical contributions of fair use to the U.S. economy. The timing proves particularly important as the debates over copyright law in the digital age move increasingly to center stage on Capitol Hill.
CCIA Applauds House Passage of Patent Reform Act of 2007
File Under: News, 2007, CCIA
Sep 7, 2007
Washington, D.C. - The House passage today of the Patent Reform Act of 2007 promises a better future for U.S. innovators and a revitalization of the intellectual property system that is critical to the nation’s economy.
Today’s vote reaffirms that intellectual property law must “promote the progress of science and useful arts.” Today’s action is a step towards restoring balance to the patent system and rewarding those who create.
CCIA Applauds New Patent Office Rules
File Under: News, 2007, CCIA
Aug 22, 2007
Washington, DC - The Computer & Communications Industry Association announced its support for the new rules issued today by U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) on patent applications. “This shows two things,” said CCIA President Ed Black. “It means that the PTO is serious about putting its house in order and getting its enormous backlog under control. It also shows that the Office is willing to discipline some of the abuses that have spurred demands for reform”.
The PTO has a backlog of over a million pending applications. The new rules address several practices that divert PTO’s resources away from tackling genuinely new inventions. These practices, which have become increasingly common over the years, include filing of “continuations” (which allow applicants to restart the process over and over), applications with very large numbers of claims, and overlapping applications.
CCIA Praises Patent Court’s Reversal on “Willfulness”
File Under: News, 2007, CCIA
Aug 21, 2007
Washington, DC - The Computer & Communications Industry Association praised yesterday’s unanimous en banc decision by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, In re Seagate Technology, LLC, which rejected the court’s own precedent on the “willfulness” standard in patent infringement cases.
If a patent is “willfully” infringed, the patent owner can get treble damages. The court’s old rule imposed an affirmative duty of care on anyone who learned that they might be infringing a patent, which usually meant hiring outside attorney to evaluate the likelihood that the patent was valid and infringed. The new rule requires that the patent owner show by “clear and convincing evidence” that an infringer acted recklessly in ignoring the patent.
CCIA Files FTC Complaint against NBC/Universal, MLB, the NFL and Others Alleging Years of Consumer Deception
File Under: News, 2007, CCIA, Copyright
Aug 1, 2007
The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) announced today that it has filed a Federal Trade Commission complaint on behalf of consumers against Major League Baseball, the National Football League, NBC/Universal and several other corporations. CCIA alleges that the named corporations have misled consumers for years, often misrepresenting their rights through deceptive and threatening statements. The complaint, part of CCIA’s newly sponsored DefendFairUse.org initiative, is aimed at exposing how media and sports organizations have systematically misled consumers with regard to their legal rights to use content, and to protect those rights in the digital age.
“Every one of us has seen or heard that copyright warning at the beginning of a sports game, DVD or book,” said Ed Black, CCIA President and CEO, during a press conference at the National Press Club. “These corporations use these warnings not to educate their consumers, but to intimidate them.”
LeMUNYON JOINS CCIA, TO STRENGTHEN AND BROADEN INDUSTRY TIES
File Under: News, 2007, CCIA
Jul 30, 2007
WASHINGTON—James LeMunyon, a technology company executive and former Commerce Department official, has joined the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) as Senior Advisor for Industry Relations. LeMunyon will oversee efforts to ensure that industry leaders and their business interests are fully represented by the association as it pursues its political and policy priorities.
“CCIA’s current membership includes many well known names such as Google, Microsoft, Oracle, and Yahoo! as well as smaller, not-yet-famous companies,” CCIA President and CEO Ed Black said. “Our plan is to build upon this strong base and broaden industry support for CCIA’s mission. Now more than ever , legislation, regulation and litigation impact increasing numbers of companies in our industry. Yet, many companies are not sufficiently aware of the policy process or of how to protect their legitimate interests. We believe in our role as the industry’s advocate for dynamic competition, innovation and healthy growth. The competitive dynamic that flows from open markets, open systems, and open networks benefits industry as well as the public at large.
Senate Action on Patent Bill Helps Restore Balance to Patent System, CCIA Says
File Under: News, 2007, CCIA
Jul 20, 2007
WASHINGTON -- The Senate Judiciary Committee’s approval last night of the Patent Reform Act of 2007 marks a turning point in the struggle to revitalize laws critical to the nation’s economy.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association urges swift passage of the measure by both chambers of Congress so that the President may sign it into law.
The Senate Committee vote kept “apportionment” language that would require courts to consider the value of an infringed patent relative to the total value of the product in which it is used. CCIA wholeheartedly supports the Committee’s approach to apportionment because it sets up a common sense framework for giving the inventor what he or she is entitled to, neither more nor less. Since high-tech products and services often include hundreds, sometimes thousands of possibly patentable functions, current law often results in damages that are wildly disproportionate to the relative economic contribution of the patent.
Committee Action on Patent Bill a Victory for Innovation and U.S. Economy Alike, CCIA Says
File Under: News, 2007, CCIA
Jul 18, 2007
The House Judiciary Committee’s passage today of the Patent Reform Act of 2007 promises a better future for U.S. innovators and a revitalization of the intellectual property system that is critical to the nation’s economy.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association urges swift passage of the measure by both chambers of Congress so that the President may sign it into law.
Today’s vote reaffirms that intellectual property law must not simply enrich rights holders but, as the Founders themselves wrote, “promote the progress of science and useful arts.” Today’s action is a step towards restoring balance to the patent system, rewarding those who create and hindering those who would abuse the system for unjustified gain.
CCIA Calls for Swift Action on Patent Reform Act of 2007
File Under: News, 2007, CCIA
Jul 10, 2007
As crucial committee "mark-up" hearings of the Patent Reform Act of 2007 approached, CCIA President & CEO Ed Black wrote Congress to explain the need for patent reform and to highlight the urgency of the situation. "Passage of the Patent Reform Act of 2007 is essential in order to maintain our industry’s competitive edge and spur economic growth, investment, and job creation," Black wrote.
CCIA Decries Shortage of H-1B Visas
File Under: 2007, CCIA, News
Apr 9, 2007
Washington, DC - The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced yesterday that the overall cap o n H-1B temporary worker visas for FY 2008 had been reached on the very first day that applications began to be received.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) believes that this ridiculous situation illustrates the urgent need to reform the visa system for skilled workers.
CCIA's Black Weighs In On Viacom Lawsuit
File Under: 2007, CCIA, News
Mar 13, 2007
Commenting on reports that Viacom has sued YouTube and Google over copyright infringement allegations, CCIA President Ed Black made the following statement: “This lawsuit represents another attack on balanced copyright by rightsholder interests who mistakenly believe they are the sole gatekeepers for how copyrighted works may be used. The fair use doctrine says otherwise. Much of the content on YouTube represents news, cottmmentary, and criticism – these represent the heart of our fair use doctrine.”
CCIA: ORSZAG SUPERB CHOICE FOR CBO
File Under: 2006, CCIA
Dec 13, 2006
Washington, D.C. - The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) applauds the nomination of Peter R. Orszag as the next Director of the Congressional Budget Office. CCIA has had a long and close relationship with Dr. Orszag, who has worked with us on several projects over the years
CCIA Responds To Perspective Markey Chairmanship
File Under: 2006, CCIA
Dec 4, 2006
Washington, D.C. – The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) applauds Congressman Edward Markey’s decision to assume the Chairmanship of the Telecommunications & Internet Subcommittee of the House Energy & Commerce Committee in the upcoming 110th Congress. Congressman Markey has unmatched experience and expertise in the issues before the Subcommittee. Both the Congress and the nation will be well served by his renewed leadership.
CCIA Expresses Concern Over Gingrich Speech
File Under: 2006, CCIA
Nov 30, 2006
Washington, D.C. – The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) expressed concern today over former Speaker Newt Gingrich’s call to curtail free speech on the Internet at the Nackey S. Loeb First Amendment award dinner.
CCIA’s Black on Squawkbox Tuesday A.M.
File Under: 2006, CCIA
Nov 27, 2006
Washington, D.C. – Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) President and CEO Ed Black is scheduled to appear on CNBC’s Squawkbox at 8:10 AM Tuesday Nov. 28. Black will address upcoming Supreme Court arguments in KSR International, a patent case that seems certain to affect innovators for years to come.
CCIA to President: Delay Surveillance Bill
File Under: 2006, CCIA, Privacy
Nov 14, 2006
Washington, D.C. – The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) urged the President of the United States to not push for warrantless electronic surveillance legislation in a letter to the White House yesterday.
CCIA Congratulates Newly Elected Senators and Representatives
File Under: 2006, CCIA
Nov 8, 2006
Washington, D.C. - The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) congratulates the newly elected Senators and Representatives of the 110th Congress and looks forward to working with them to pass legislation of critical importance to the technology industry, CCIA said in a statement today.
CCIA Scores Congress on Technology Votes
File Under: 2006, CCIA
Nov 1, 2006
Washington, D.C. - A slow-moving 109th Congress yielded little of substance for supporters of technology, according to a report released today by the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA).
CCIA urges defeat of House wiretapping bill
File Under: 2006, CCIA
Sep 19, 2006
WASHINGTON -- The Computer & Communications Industry Association today urged the House Judiciary Committee to vote down HR 5825, an electronic surveillance bill that threatens US technology businesses as well as the basic civil liberties of ordinary Americans. In a letter sent to Judiciary Chair James Sensenbrenner, Ranking Member John Conyers and members of the Committee, CCIA urged Members to consider the bill's effect o n international commerce and human rights policy. The measure will come to a vote tomorrow.
CCIA Cautions Against Legislation on Electronic Surveillance
File Under: 2006, CCIA
Sep 7, 2006
WASHINGTON – Policymakers should proceed slowly before broadly authorizing warrantless electronic surveillance of personal and business communications, the Computer & Communications Industry Association told the Senate Judiciary Committee in a letter today.
CCIA Welcomes Introduction of SKIL Act in House
File Under: 2006, CCIA
Jul 5, 2006
The Computer & Communications Industry Association welcomes the introduction of H.R. 5744, the Securing Knowledge, Innovation, and Leadership (SKIL) Act. The bill includes the skilled immigration reform provisions supported by CCIA, such as an increase in the H-1B visa cap to 115,000 and making the cap a flexible market-based one, as well as an exemption from the H-1B visa cap and from the employment-based green card cap for holders of advanced degrees from U.S. universities. CCIA commends the bill’s sponsor, Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ), for acting to ensure that U.S. technology companies continue to have access to the highly skilled foreign workers they need.
CCIA Warns Against Copyright Amendments
File Under: CCIA, 2006
Jun 6, 2006
For Immediate Release
Joining a diverse group of information and communication technology companies, non-profit associations, and library and consumer interest organizations, the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) warned the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property that a proposed copyright amendment being billed as a technical fix for online music services could threaten technology innovators and restrict consumers’ fair use rights if not properly circumscribed. The proposal, known as the Section 115 Reform Act (SIRA), would amend copyright compulsory licenses with respect to digital music.
CCIA Announces Speaker Line-up for May 17th Washington DC Caucus
File Under: 2006, CCIA
May 15, 2006
When the leading minds of science, business and popular opinion all agree that change is upon us, can politics be far behind?
In announcing the line-up, President Ed Black said, “Our industry has become evermore important to the economy and to the lives of more and more individuals. The temptation to revise the policies and regulatory environment, which have fostered the innovative and creative ecosystem surrounding the Internet, has also continued to grow.”
CCIA Hails McNealy’s Founding Vision, Welcomes Sun CEO Schwartz.
File Under: 2006, CCIA
Apr 25, 2006
WASHINGTON – Background: Sun Microsystems announced yesterday that co-founder and Chairman Scott McNealy would turn the title of CEO over to Sun President and COO Jonathan Schwartz.
"Scott McNealy led a revolution in the computing industry," Computer & Communications Industry Association President Ed Black said. "Scott has been a bold industry leader whose drive and genius gave us technological advances such as Java."