Source: http://www.techlawjournal.com/alert/2005/09/13.asp
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 19:01:41+00:00

Document:
TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,212, September 13, 2005.
September 13, 2005, 9:00 AM ET, Alert No. 1,212.
9/12. EBay, an online auction company, announced that it will acquire Skype, a voice over internet protocol (VOIP) company based in Luxembourg, "for approximately $2.6 billion in up-front cash and eBay stock, plus potential performance-based consideration. See, eBay release [PDF] and substantially identical Skype release.
EBay stated that "Skype, eBay and PayPal will create an unparalleled ecommerce and communications engine for buyers and sellers around the world."
EBay explained the relationship between online auctions and VOIP communications. "Online shopping depends on a number of factors to function well. Communications, like payments and shipping, is a critical part of this process. Skype will streamline and improve communications between buyers and sellers as it is integrated into the eBay marketplace. Buyers will gain an easy way to talk to sellers quickly and get the information they need to buy, and sellers can more easily build relationships with customers and close sales. As a result, Skype can increase the velocity of trade on eBay, especially in categories that require more involved communications such as used cars, business and industrial equipment, and high-end collectibles."
See, also eBay's presentation slides [78 pages in PDF].
The design and operation of VOIP communications services are increasingly being regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), at the urging, in part, of the Department of Justice (DOJ). FCC employees contacted by TLJ did not immediately return phone calls.
9/12. Oracle announced that it will acquire Siebel Systems, a customer relations management (CRM) software company. See, Oracle release.
Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle, stated that "In a single step, Oracle becomes the number one CRM applications company in the world ... Siebel's 4,000 applications customers and 3,400,000 CRM users strengthen our number one position in applications in North America and move us closer to the number one position in applications globally."
Oracle also stated in its release that "The Board of Directors of Siebel Systems has voted in favor of the transaction, and Tom Siebel has agreed to vote his shares in favor of the acquisition. Siebel stockholders will convene in a special meeting to vote on the acquisition. Oracle stockholder approval is not required."
The transaction requires regulatory approval.
The Department of Justice's (DOJ) Antitrust Division filed an antitrust complaint in an effort to block Oracle's last major acquisition, PeopleSoft. However, the District Court ruled that the DOJ failed to show that the merger would likely substantially lessen competition in a relevant product and geographic market. See, story titled "DOJ Loses Oracle Case" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 974, September 10, 2004.
9/12. The Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) hosted a panel discussion titled "Global Internet Governance: Should There be an Enhanced Role for the U.N.?" The speakers were David Gross (Department of State) and Michael Gallagher (head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration).
On July 18, 2005, the United Nation's (UN) Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) released a report [24 pages in PDF] titled "Report of the Working Group on Internet Governance". This report states the UN's case for acquiring vast power to regulate various aspects of the operation and use of the internet. See also, story titled "UN Seeks Vast Authority to Regulate Operation and Use of the Internet" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,178, July 20, 2005.
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) will hold the second phase of its meeting titled "World Summit on Information Society" (WSIS) in Tunis, Tunisia, on November 16-18, 2005. The UN report will be discussed. See also, WSIS web site.
Gross (at right) said at the September 12 luncheon that "The United Nations will not be in charge of the Internet." Gallagher said that there is no need for another bureaucracy.
Gross stated while there is no need for a new UN bureaucracy, "this is actually very good news for the United States". He explained that previously, the US worked to convince other nations to adopt the internet. The UN report and upcoming meeting demonstrate that nations have adopted the internet, and that the dialogue has shifted to use and regulation of the internet.
He continued that the US will seek to preserve the "less regulated nature" of the internet, freedom of expression, and the protection of intellectual property rights. However, he conceded that even the nations that respect freedom of speech to do not so to the same extent as the US.
Gross said that many nations do not protect freedom of speech and expression on the internet. "China and a number of other countries have very effectively blocked content." He added that "content control by governments is pervasive" and that "we can't stop it".
See also, story titled "NTIA Rebuffs UN Efforts to Gain Control Over Internet Governance" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,166, July 1, 2005.
The event was hosted by the Advisory Committee to the Congressional Internet Caucus (ACCIC), which is headed by Jerry Berman. The ACCIC's events, publications and administration are funded by the Internet Education Foundation (IEF). Berman is its President. Berman is also President of the CDT. All three entities are located in the same offices. Hence, Tech Law Journal refers to these three entities, ACCIC, IEF, and CDT, as the CDT.
9/12. The U.S. Court of Appeals (3rdCir) issued its opinion [17 pages in PDF] in Franklin Prescriptions v. New York Times, a case regarding awarding damages for defamation.
The New York Times (NYT) published a news story regarding the online sale of drugs. Franklin Prescriptions is a small pharmacy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that specializes in fertility medications. It also operated an information only web site. It did not sell controlled substances through this web site; and, it only sold controlled drugs pursuant to a doctor's prescription. The NYT story described "unscrupulous" and "cloak and dagger" web sites that process online orders for controlled drugs without prescriptions. It did not mention Franklin, but included an partial image from the Franklin web site.
Franklin filed a complaint in U.S. District Court against the NYT and others alleging defamation. Jurisdiction was based on diversity of citizenship, and hence, Pennsylvania law regarding defamation applied. The trial court jury returned a verdict for Franklin, but awarded no damages. This appeal concerns the issue of whether Franklin was entitled to a jury instruction on presumed damages and defamation per se.
This case is Franklin Prescriptions v. New York Times, et al., U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, App. Ct. No. 04-3404, an appeal from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, D.C. No. 01-cv-00145, Judge Cynthia Rufe presiding. Judge Scirica wrote the opinion of the Court of Appeals, in which Judges Alito and Garth joined.
9/12. The Chamber of Commerce and the Business Software Alliance (BSA) postponed their event, titled "Intellectual Property Business Forum", which had been scheduled for September 12. The featured speaker Carlos Gutierrez, the Secretary of Commerce, spoke instead on hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
The House will meet at 12:30 PM for morning hour, and at 2:00 PM for legislative business. It will consider several non-technology related items under suspension of the rules. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 PM. See, Republican Whip Notice.
The Senate will meet at 9:45 AM for morning business. It will then resume consideration of HR 2862, the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill. At 12:10 PM it will resume consideration of SJRes 20, regarding the EPA's mercury rule.
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM. Day one of a three day meeting of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board (ISPAB). See, notice in the Federal Register, August 23, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 162, at Page 49257. Location: Doubletree Hotel and Executive Meeting Center, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD.
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM. The National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology will meet. Some of the meeting will be closed to the public. See, notice in the Federal Register, August 23, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 162, at Pages 49256-49257. Location: Employees Lounge, Administration Building, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD.
9:00 AM. The Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS) Regulations and Procedures Technical Advisory Committee will hold a meeting, part of which will be closed to the public. The agenda includes "Update on Encryption controls" and "Update on proposed rule on deemed export related regulatory requirements". See, notice in the Federal Register, September 6, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 171, at Pages 52982 - 52983. Location: Department of Commerce, Room 3884, 14th Street between Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues, NW.
9:30 AM - 8:30 PM. The Senate Judiciary Committee will continue its hearing on the nomination of Judge John Roberts to be Chief Justice of the United States. The agenda provides for 30 minute rounds of questioning by each of the Committee members, with one hour breaks for lunch and dinner at 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Location: Room 216, Hart Building.
9:30 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals (DCCir) will hear oral argument in ICO Global Communications v. FCC, No. 04-1248. Judges Randolph, Rogers and Williams will preside. Location: Prettyman Courthouse, 333 Constitution Ave., NW.
RESCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 22. 10:00 AM. The Senate Banking Committee will hold a hearing on "the financial services industry's responsibilities and role in preventing identity theft and protecting sensitive financial information". See, notice. Location: Room 538, Dirksen Building.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM. The National Science Foundation's (NSF) National Science Board's (NSB) Programs and Plans Committee will hold a meeting. The agenda includes "Review of NSF Draft Cyberinfrastructure Document". See, notice in the Federal Register: September 8, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 173, at Page 53396. Location: NSF, Public Meeting Room 110, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA.
12:30 PM. Peter Mandelson, the European Trade Commissioner, will give a luncheon speech titled "The Right Choices for International Trade and a Successful Doha Round". See, notice. Location: National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor.
1:00 - 3:00 PM. The Information Technology Association of America's (ITAA) Information Security Committee will hold a meeting. Jeffrey Wright, Director of the Department of Homeland Security's National Cyber Security Division's Exercise Program, will discuss "Cyber Storm". For more information, contact Patti Coen at pcoen at itaa dot org. See, notice. Location: ITAA, 1401 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1100, Arlington, VA.
6:00 - 9:15 PM. The DC Bar Association will host a continuing legal education (CLE) seminar titled "How to Litigate a Copyright Infringement Case". The speaker will be Kenneth Kaufman (Skadden Arps). The price to attend ranges from $80-$125. For more information, call 202-626-3488. See, notice. Location: D.C. Bar Conference Center, 1250 H Street NW, B-1 Level.
Day three of a three day conference hosted by the Future of Music Coalition (FMC) titled "Future of Music Policy Summit".At 9:15 AM, there will be a panel titled "IP in a Post Grokster World". The speakers will be Chris Amenita (ASCAP Enterprises Group), Preeta Bansal (Skadden Arps), Mia Garlick (Creative Commons), Cary Sherman (President of the RIAA), Siva Vaidhyanathan (NYU), Don Verrilli (Jenner & Block), and Fred von Lohmann (EFF). At 12:00 NOON, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) is scheduled to speak. At 12:45 PM, there will be a panel titled "Ethics of Innovation". It will address "how do attorneys counsel clients who have a business model or technology that could be used to infringe copyrights?" The speakers will be Jim Burger (Dow Lohnes), Jonathan Band (attorney), Chris Castle (Snocap), and Marty Lafferty (Distributed Computing Industry Association). See, conference web site. Location: Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St., NW, George Washington University, and other sites at or near GWU.
Deadline to submit reply comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to its Third Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), adopted on December 20, 2004, regarding whether to defer or eliminate the requirement in the rules that certain applications for equipment authorization received on or after January 1, 2005, specify 6.24 kHz capability. This item is FCC 04-292 in WT Docket No. 99-87 and RM-9332; See, notice in the Federal Register, June 15, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 114, at Pages 34726 - 34729.
Deadline to submit reply comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to its Public Notice [PDF] requesting comments on Continental Airlines' Petition for a Declaratory Ruling regarding the state Massachusetts' attempt to regulate Wi-Fi hotspots. Continental has installed a Wi-Fi hotspot for internet access and telecommunications at its frequent flyer lounge at Boston Logan Airport (Logan). An issue is whether the demands of the Massachusetts Port Authority for removal of the antenna are prohibited under the FCC's Over the Air Reception Devices (OTARD) rules. This public notice is DA 05-2213 in ET Docket No. 05-247.
The House will meet at 10:00 AM for legislative business. The agenda includes no technology related items. See, Republican Whip Notice.
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM. Day two of a three day meeting of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board (ISPAB). See, notice in the Federal Register, August 23, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 162, at Page 49257. Location: Doubletree Hotel and Executive Meeting Center, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD.
9:30 AM. The Senate Judiciary Committee will continue its hearing on the nomination of Judge John Roberts to be Chief Justice of the United States. The agenda provides for a second round of questioning by Committee members, with each member allowed 20 minutes. Location: Room 216, Hart Building.
RESCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 21? 9:30 AM. The Senate Judiciary Committee may hold a hearing titled "Able Danger and Intelligence Information Sharing". This involves data mining. Press contact: Blain Rethmeier (Specter) at 202 224-5225, David Carle (Leahy) at 202 224-4242 or Tracy Schmaler (Leahy) at 202 224-2154. Location: Room 226, Dirksen Building.
9:30 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals (DCCir) will hear oral argument in SBC Internet Service v. Recording Industry Association of America, No. 04-5325. This is an appeal from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia regarding DMCA subpoenas provided for by 17 U.S.C. � 512(h). See, SBC's brief [PDF]. Judges Sentelle, Randolph and Williams will preside. Location: Prettyman Courthouse, 333 Constitution Ave., NW.
11:00 AM - 12:00 NOON. The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Advisory Committee for the 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference will meet. See, FCC notice [PDF] and notice in the Federal Register, August 10, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 153, at Pages 46524. Location: FCC, Commission Meeting Room (TW-C305), 445 12th Street, SW.
11:15 AM. The U.S. District Court (DC) will hold an initial conference in ITC Deltacom Communications v. AT&T (No. 1:2005-cv-01360-ESH), Granite Telecommunications v. AT&T (No. 1:2005-cv-01416-ESH), and RCN Telecom Services v. AT&T (No. 1:2005-cv-01432-ESH). Location: Prettyman Courthouse, Courtroom 18, 333 Constitution Ave., NW.
TIME? The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will hold a public hearing on the People's Republic of China's compliance with its World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments to assist it in preparing an annual report to the Congress. See, notice in the Federal Register, August 3, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 148, at Pages 44714 - 44715. Location: Room 1, 1724 F Street, NW.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will hold its Low Power Television Auction, Auction No. 81. See, Public Notice [PDF] numbered DA 05-1624, and dated June 9, 2005.
Extended deadline to submit comments to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in response to its green paper describing and evaluating four options to reform restriction practice. See, notice of extension in the Federal Register, August 5, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 150, at Page 45370.
8:30 AM - 12:00 NOON. Day three of a three day meeting of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board (ISPAB). See, notice in the Federal Register, August 23, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 162, at Page 49257. Location: Doubletree Hotel and Executive Meeting Center, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD.
8:30 AM - 3:00 PM. The Chamber of Commerce will host an event titled "No More Excuses: Business and Health Information Technology". The speakers will include for Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-GA) and Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI). See, notice. The price to attend range from free to $145. Location: US Chamber, 1615 H Street, NW.
9:00 AM. The National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Judges Panel of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award will meet. This meeting is closed to the public. See, notice in the August 23, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 162, at Pages 49257 - 49258. Location: NIST, Administration Building, Lecture Room D, Gaithersburg, MD.
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM. The Senate Judiciary Committee will continue its hearing on the nomination of Judge John Roberts to be Chief Justice of the United States. The agenda provides for hearing all six of the panels outside witnesses in one day. If the Committee follows its agenda, then the fifth panel, which includes technology law professors Christopher Yoo and Patricia Bellia, would begin at about 3:00 PM. See, story titled "Tech Lawyers Scheduled to Testify at Roberts Confirmation Hearing" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,206, September 2, 2005. Location: Room 216, Hart Building.
9:30 AM. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will hold a meeting. See, agenda. The event will be webcast by the FCC. Location: FCC, 445 12th Street, SW, Room TW-C05 (Commission Meeting Room).
10:00 AM. The House Judiciary Committee's (HJC) Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property will hold a hearing titled "The Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 2795, the `Patent Act of 2005�". See, HR 2795. Press contact: Jeff Lungren or Terry Shawn at 202 225-2492. Location: Room 2141, Rayburn Building.
10:00 AM - 12:00 NOON. The House Science Committee (HSC) will hold a hearing titled "Cybersecurity: How Can the Government Help Address Vulnerabilities in Critical Industries?" The witnesses will be Donald "Andy" Purdy (Acting Director of the Department of Homeland Security's National Cyber Security Division), David Kepler (Dow Chemical), John Leggate (BP), and Gerald Freese (American Electric Power). The hearing will be webcast by the HSC. Press contacts: Elizabeth Grossman (Republicans) at 202 225-7858 and Jim Wilson (Democrats) at 202 225-6375. Location: Room 2318 Rayburn Building.
10:00 AM. The House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims will hold a partially closed hearing titled "Sources and Methods of Foreign Nationals Engaged in Economic and Military Espionage". Press contact: Jeff Lungren or Terry Shawn at 202 225-2492. Location: Room 2141, Rayburn Building.
10:00 AM. The Senate Banking Committee will hold a hearing on numerous pending nominations, including those of David McCormick (to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration), Darryl Jackson (to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce), and Franklin Lavin (to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade). See, notice. See also, story titled "Bush Nominates McCormick and Jackson for Export Control Office" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,165, June 30, 2005. Location: Room 538, Dirksen Building.
10:00 AM. The House Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment will host an event titled "Open Source Intelligence Technology and Policy Fair". Location: Rayburn Foyer.
10:30 AM. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on the nominations of Stewart Baker and Julie Myers to be an Assistant Secretaries of Homeland Security. See, notice. See also, story titled "Bush Picks Stewart Baker for DHS Policy Position" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,174, July 14, 2005. Location: Room 342, Dirksen Building.
12:00 NOON - 1:30 PM. The DC Bar Association will host a brown bag lunch titled "50 Hot Technology Tips And Web Sites: What Lawyers Should Know". The price to attend ranges from $15-$25. For more information, call 202-626-3463. See, notice. Location: D.C. Bar Conference Center, 1250 H Street NW, B-1 Level.
12:30 - 2:00 PM. The Forum on Technology and Innovation will host a luncheon briefing titled "Basic Research -- The Foundation of the Innovation Economy". See, notice. Location: Room 902, Hart Building, Capitol Hill.
POSTPONED. 1:30 PM. The House International Relations Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing titled "Broadcasting Board of Governors and the Middle East Broadcasting Network". See, notice. Location: Room 2172, Rayburn Building.
1:00 PM. The House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims will hold a partially closed hearing titled "Sources and Methods of Foreign Nationals Engaged in Economic and Military Espionage". The hearing will be closed from 1:00 - 1:30 PM. The remainder will be open to the public. Press contact: Jeff Lungren or Terry Shawn at 202 225-2492. Location: Room 2141, Rayburn Building.
2:00 - 5:00 PM. The Department of State (DOS) will host a meeting to hear public comment on the possible expansion of the mandate of the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) to include new oversight and regulatory responsibilities. See, notice in the Federal Register, September 7, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 172, at Page 53267. See also, the DOS's IMSO web page. Location: DOS, 2201 C St. NW.
The House may meet at 9:00 AM. See, Republican Whip Notice.
9:30 AM. The Senate Judiciary Committee will continue its hearing on the nomination of Judge John Roberts to be Chief Justice of the United States. Location: Room 216, Hart Building.
9:30 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals (DCCir) will hear oral argument in Kidd Communications v. FCC, No. 04-1274. Judges Garland, Silberman and Williams will preside. Location: Prettyman Courthouse, 333 Constitution Ave., NW.
9:30 AM - 12:45 PM. The DC Bar Association will host a continuing legal education (CLE) seminar titled "Supreme Court Review and Preview 2005". The speakers will be Judge Richard Roberts (U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia), Beth Brinkmann (Morrison & Foerster), Michael Dreeben (Office of the Solicitor General), and Thomas Goldstein (Goldstein Howe). The price to attend ranges from $80-$125. For more information, call 202-626-3488. See, notice. Location: D.C. Bar Conference Center, 1250 H Street NW, B-1 Level.
10:00 AM. The House Commerce Committee's (HCC) Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection will hold a hearing titled "Protecting Property Rights After Kelo". See, notice. The hearing will be webcast by the HCC. Press contact: Larry Neal at 202 225-5735. Location: Room 2123, Rayburn Building.
Deadline to submit comments to the Office of Federal Financial Management (OFFM) in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regarding the use of multiple principal investigators (PIs) on awards made under federal research and research related programs. See, notice in the Federal Register, July 18, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 136, at Page 41220 - 41222.
Deadline to submit reply comments to the Interim Chief Copyright Royalty Judge in response to the request for further comments regarding rules for the delivery and format of records of use of sound recordings for statutory licenses under 17 U.S.C. � 112 and 17 U.S.C. � 114. The Interim Chief Copyright Royalty Judge, on behalf of the Copyright Royalty Board, issued the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on April 27, 2005. The Board has received comments, which reflected sharp divisions among the parties. It now poses further questions. See, notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 70, No. 143, at Pages 43364 - 43368.
9:00 AM. The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) will meet. The agenda includes an update on nanotechnology. See, notice in the Federal Register, September 6, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 171, at Pages 53029 - 53030. Location: Room 100, National Academies Keck Center, 500 5th St., NW.
9:30 AM. The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) North American Numbering Council (NANC) will meet. See, notice in the Federal Register, August 31, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 168, at Page 51814. Location: FCC, 445 12th St., SW., Room TW-305.
6:00 - 8:15 PM. The DC Bar Association will host a continuing legal education (CLE) seminar titled "Ten Ways to Protect Intellectual Property When Drafting E-Commerce Agreements". The speaker will be Walter Effross (American University law school). The price to attend ranges from $80-$125. For more information, call 202-626-3488. See, notice. Location: D.C. Bar Conference Center, 1250 H Street NW, B-1 Level.

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