Monday, March 30, 2009

This Week In Tech: Patent Reform, Pending

The Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday resumes its markup of legislation that would overhaul the U.S. patent system. The panel began consideration of Chairman Patrick Leahy's measure Thursday but saved the tougher topics for later. Proposals to address how damages are awarded in patent infringement lawsuits have been circulated among members, including language offered by Judiciary ranking member Arlen Specter and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., to provide courts with clearer requirements on handling evidence of infringement and determining damages.

Meanwhile, the House Homeland Security Emerging Threats Subcommittee Tuesday will examine whether payment card industry data standards reduce cybercrime. The security requirements, created to reduce the number and size of data breaches, apply to all businesses that store, process, or transmit cardholder data. Homeland Security Department-funded intelligence "fusion centers" will be the focus of a Wednesday hearing by the House Homeland Security Intelligence Subcommittee. Members will discuss the department inspector general's December report on the state-run facilities, as well as recently adopted operational baseline capabilities for fusion centers.

Washington will be the center of activity for the cable television biz this week when the industry's annual convention returns to the nation's capital and its convention center after a 38-year hiatus. The packed agenda features several marquee policymakers and executives, with Senate Commerce Communications Subcommittee Chairman John Kerry, D-Mass., kicking off the event Tuesday night with a speech. Senate Commerce ranking member Kay Bailey Hutchison, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor and House Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman will appear Wednesday.

On Thursday, highlights include Disney CEO Bob Iger, News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch and House Energy and Commerce Communications Subcommittee Chairman Rick Boucher, D-Va. National Cable and Telecommunications Association CEO Kyle McSlarrow conducts a question-and-answer session with acting FCC Chairman Michael Copps on Friday. The National Association of Broadcasters holds its annual State Leadership Conference Tuesday with Boucher delivering the keynote.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the House Judiciary Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee holds a hearing on jurisdictional issues regarding taxation of Internet-based telephone services. Boucher's panel holds a Thursday hearing on the $7.2 billion in broadband funding available through the economic stimulus package. The Freedom to Connect Internet conference also takes place Monday and Tuesday where panelists will discuss a range of topics from Web politics to municipal broadband networks.