This Week In Tech: IP, FTC, Music & More
As the 111th Congress gets underway, the coming week includes several events that feature -- or are at least likely to touch upon - the intellectual property debate.
▪ Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy will discuss his committee's legislative agenda for the 111th Congress in a Monday speech at Georgetown University. While his address, entitled "Restoring Trust in the Justice System," is expected to center on oversight of the Justice Department in the new administration, Leahy -- who is currently moving to reintroduce legislation overhauling the patent system -- may also take the opportunity to discuss the U.S. patent and copyright regimes and other intellectual property issues.
▪ The chief executive of computer chip manufacturer Intel will visit Capitol Hill Tuesday afternoon to discuss how investments in innovation can help drive the nation's long-term economic growth. Intel CEO Paul Otellini will share the floor of the Russell Caucus Room with senators from states where the company has facilities like Arizona, California, New Mexico and Oregon. Otellini will speak earlier in the day to the Economic Club of Washington. That evening, he will attend a reception celebrating the merger of the Information Technology Industry Association and the American Electronics Association.
▪ The FTC Wednesday and Thursday will hold the second in a series of hearings exploring the evolving market for intellectual property. The session, which will feature a keynote by U.S. District Judge Sue Robinson of Delaware, will examine remedies for patent infringement. The topic of how damages are handled in patent lawsuits -- an issue that sunk sweeping patent legislation in the 110th Congress -- also will be discussed, as will the impact of permanent injunctions in the wake of a landmark 2006 Supreme Court case involving Internet auction site eBay.
▪ The annual Future of Music Coalition summit, taking place Wednesday, will focus on issues arising in the courts, Congress, and the FCC as well as at the U.S. Copyright Office. Acting FCC Chairman Michael Copps and FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein are scheduled to speak, along with representatives from Free Press, Media Access Project, Recording Industry Association of America, Songwriters Guild of America, among others.
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