Recent News + Events

Recent reports regarding NSA access to phone call metadata and online communications and data have highlighted the continued importance of government transparency. The Computer & Communications Industry Association commends the specific requests of both senators and companies today that would help.

Patent assertion entities, commonly referred to as patent trolls, have received a lot of attention recently.  In the last five years, lawsuits by patent assertion entities have increased more than 250% and now account for more than 60% of all patent litigation.

The White House just issued a series of executive orders and proposals in an effort to curb the growing troll problem and protect competition and innovation. Congress is also considering legislation to provide additional relief. The powers of our nation's antitrust regulators, however, are often overlooked.

A document leaked to the news media indicates government agencies requested records about every Verizon customer over at least a three- month period using a controversial power sanctified by secret court order. The order demanded that Verizon turn over metadata that includes what phone number was called, what number initiated the call, for how long, and potentially where the phone was located.

The White House is scheduled to announce several executive orders and legislative proposals today aimed at patent trolls, who harm U.S. businesses and the economy. President Obama has recognized that the nation can’t curb abuse of the patent system by so-called trolls without addressing problems with software patents, and this afternoon he’s offering reforms.

The Computer & Communications Industry Association outlined growing threats and policies that curb digital trade in testimony at a USTR hosted hearing Wednesday afternoon on the US/EU’s free trade agreement known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).