beSpacific - Accurate, focused law and technology newshttp://www.bespacific.com
By Sabrina I. Pacifici - bespacific@earthlink.net
Free weekday coverage on current issues
September 12, 2007
Headlines - Fair Use Economy Represents One-Sixth of U.S. GDP
- FTC Plays Critical Role in Online Consumer Protection
- DHS OIG Audits of Drug Control Funds and Background Check Process
- Federal Railroad Administration Issues Safety Advisory on Bridges
- EPA OIG Audits: Ensure Rural Texas Community Has Safe Drinking Water, Watershed Effort to Restore the Chesapeake Bay
- Presidential Advisors Report On Federal Networking And Informationtechnology R&D Program
- Today's GAO Reports: Defense Infrastructure. Disabled Veterans' Employment, Economic Development, SEC Examination Program, Space Based Infrared System
- Transcript of Witness Q&A: Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee Hearing
 Fair Use Economy Represents One-Sixth of U.S. GDP "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." Fair Use in the U.S. Economy - Economic Contribution of Industries Relying on Fair Use, September 2007 (45 pages, PDF) FTC Plays Critical Role in Online Consumer Protection Press release: "The FTC today told the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation Subcommittee on Interstate Commerce, Trade and Tourism that it has a robust record in protecting consumers and preserving competition in the marketplace...Speaking for the Commission, Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras said that much of the work of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection has been devoted to data security and identity theft, technology risks to consumers, fraud in the marketing of health care products, financial practices, telemarketing fraud, and enforcement of the National Do Not Call Rule." Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On Reauthorization: Major Activities, Planned Initiatives, and Legislative Recommendations, Presented by Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras Before the Subcommittee on Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate (September 12, 2007) "The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) plays a central role in combating mounting online threats like spyware and phishing and must be reauthorized to continue its vital consumer protection functions, CDT told a congressional panel today. Testifying before the Senate Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Interstate Commerce Trade and Tourism, CDT Deputy Director Ari Schwartz highlighted the agency's emergence as the lead government organization in the fight against spyware and other online scams. CDT also noted that the threats are growing in scope and sophistication and may require that the FTC be granted additional resources in the near future. September 12, 2007" Federal Railroad Administration Issues Safety Advisory on Bridges Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration Safety Advisory 2007-03, September 11, 2007. ACTION: Notice of Safety Advisory; Railroad Bridge Safety--Explanation and Amplification of FRA's "Statement of Agency Policy on the Safety of Railroad Bridges." [Federal Register: September 11, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 175)] [Notices][ Page 51898-51901] SUMMARY: "FRA is issuing Safety Advisory 2007-03 recommending that owners of track carried on one or more railroad bridges adopt safety practices to prevent the deterioration of railroad bridges and reduce the risk of casualties from train derailments caused by structural failures of such bridges." See also related postings on national bridge safety issues EPA OIG Audits: Ensure Rural Texas Community Has Safe Drinking Water, Watershed Effort to Restore the Chesapeake Bay 2007-P-00034 Complete Assessment Needed to Ensure Rural Texas Community Has Safe Drinking Water [Report PDF - 23 pages] [At a Glance PDF] September 11, 2007 2007-P-00031 Development Growth Outpacing Progress in Watershed Effort to Restore the Chesapeake Bay [Report PDF - 36 pages] [At a Glance PDF] September 10, 2007 Presidential Advisors Report On Federal Networking And Informationtechnology R&D Program Association for Computing Machinery: "The President's top advisory council on science and technology issues...released a report finding that the current supply of U.S. networking and information technology professionals is falling short of what is needed. In addition to an inadequate number of workers, the report states that worker education and training is lacking. To address this, the council recommends refocusing Federal programs intended to deal with IT workforce issues and improving curriculum to be more aligned with industry needs for computer science and other IT fields." Leadership Under Challenge: Information Technology R&D in a Competitive World, August 2007 (76 pages, PDF) Today's GAO Reports: Defense Infrastructure. Disabled Veterans' Employment, Economic Development, SEC Examination Program, Space Based Infrared System Defense Infrastructure: Overseas Master Plans Are Improving, but DOD Needs to Provide Congress Additional Information about the Military Buildup on Guam, GAO-07-1015, September 12, 2007 Disabled Veterans' Employment: Additional Planning, Monitoring, and Data Collection Efforts Would Improve Assistance, GAO-07-1020, September 12, 2007 Economic Development: Formal Monitoring Approaches Needed to Help Ensure Compliance with Restrictions on Funding Employer Relocations GAO-07-1005, September 10, 2007 Securities and Exchange Commission: Steps Being Taken to Make Examination Program More Risk-Based and Transparent, GAO-07-1053, August 14, 2007 Space Based Infrared System High Program and its Alternative, GAO-07-1088R, September 12, 2007
Search beSpacific archives back to September 2002 at http://www.beSpacific.com Copyright ©2002-2007 BeSpacific® LLC. All Rights Reserved. BeSpacific® LLC, P.O. Box 3554, Silver Spring, Maryland 20918 |
