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October 4, 2002, 9:00 AM ET, Alert No. 523.
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Reps. Boucher and Doolittle Introduce Digital Media Consumer Rights Act
10/3. Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) and Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA) introduced the Digital Media Consumers’ Rights Act of 2002. Rep. Boucher gave a lengthy speech at an event to announce the introduction of the bill. He stated that the bill would "reaffirm and reinforce the Fair Use doctrine in this digital era."
Rep. Boucher (at right) summed up the problem that the bill addresses. He said that "The Fair Use doctrine is threatened today as never before. Historically, the nation’s copyright laws have reflected a carefully calibrated balance between the rights of copyright owners and the rights of the users of copyrighted material as reflected in the Fair Use doctrine. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (DMCA) dramatically tilted the copyright balance toward complete copyright protection. The 1998 law enables the copyright owner to enshroud his material with a technological protection measure and then makes it a civil wrong and a potential federal felony for anyone to circumvent the technical measure for any purpose. Even people who have purchased and paid for copyrighted material would be liable if they bypass the technical protection for the purpose of making Fair Use of the work they have lawfully acquired."
He continued that "The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 places the force of law behind the technical barriers put in place by copyright owners. We have no quarrel with a law which prohibits circumvention of a technological protection measure for the purpose of infringing the copyright. We have a huge quarrel with the current law which punishes circumvention to make Fair Use -- or any non-infringing use -- of copyrighted material.
"Accordingly," said Rep. Boucher, "the bill we are introducing today will amend Section 1201 of the DMCA to provide that the only time the act of circumvention is prohibited when the purpose of the circumvention is to infringe the copyright in the work. Circumvention for Fair Use purposes will no longer be penalized when our bill is enacted into law."
Rep. Boucher has long been active on IPR, tech and telecom issues. Rep. Doolittle (at right), in contrast, has not heretofore been a leader in these areas. He is a conservative Republican who was first elected to Congress in 1990. He now sits on the Appropriations Committee. His 4th District lies to the West of Sacramento. While it includes much of the Sierra Nevada range, including Yosemite National Park, it is also home to the facilities and employees of some tech companies located in the Sacramento area. Two of the leading employers in his district are Hewlett Packard and Intel.
Intel sent a representative to the press conference to speak in support of the bill. So, did Gateway. Sun Microsystems did not have a representative speak. However, it wrote a letter expressing its support.
The bill also enjoys support in the telecommunications industry. Verizon announced its support at the event.
The bill also has the support, as has long been the case, of companies that make the devices that consumers can use to store and play back digitally recorded music. Representatives of both the Consumer Electronics Association and Phillips Electronics spoke at the press conference.
Finally, the bill is supported by traditional proponents of broad fair use rights, including library groups, the Consumers Union, and the newly formed group named Public Knowledge.
Rep. Boucher predicted that "we inevitably are going to prevail", but he did not say when. Since the current Congress is about to end, he stated that the bill will be reintroduced in the next Congress.
Boucher said that the bill "borrows the Betamax standard, and applies it to the provisions in the DMCA that apply to circumvention devices. And that is really all it does. That is an important change to make."
Rep. Boucher has advocated many changes to fair use under copyright law in the last few years. See, for example, his speech of March 6, 2001. This bill, however, does not address all of his concerns.
For example, this bill does not deal with peer to peer networks. Boucher stated that "this legislation is designed to address circumvention devices, and really, is drafted in such a way as is limited to circumvention devices. And, peer to peer file sharing architectures are really not circumvention devices."
However, he added that "I have my own views about the value of peer to peer networks for non-infringing purposes. And they are applicable to many non-infringing purposes, and I think, a valuable addition to the Internet architecture. And, I support the expansion of peer to peer networks, consistent with sound copyright principles. But, that is a debate beyond the scope of this bill."
Boucher predicted that record companies, movie companies and book publishers "will oppose the passage of this legislation."
Summary of the Digital Media Consumer Rights Act
10/3. The Digital Media Consumers’ Rights Act of 2002, introduced by Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) and Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA) on October 3, would do two things. First, it would  require that certain information be placed on the labels of music discs, and that a violation would constitute an unfair or deceptive trade practice within the meaning of the Federal Trade Commission Act. Second, and more importantly, the bill would roll back the anti- circumvention provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Specifically, it would create fair use exceptions to the bans on circumvention of technological measures to protect copyrighted works.
Anti Circumvention and Fair Use. The Boucher Doolittle bill would make two changes to the DMCA's anti- circumvention provisions. First, it would provide an exception for scientific research into technological protection measures. Second, the key language of the bill would create a fair use exception to the DMCA's bans on circumvention.
Currently, § 1201(a)(1)(A) of the Copyright Act, which was added in 1998 by the DMCA, provides that "No person shall circumvent a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work protected under this title."
Then, § 1201(a)(2)(A) provides that "No person shall manufacture, import, offer to the public, provide, or otherwise traffic in any technology, product, service, device, component, or part thereof, that --- (A) is primarily designed or produced for the purpose of circumventing a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work protected under this title;"
Furthermore, § 1201(b)(1)(A) provides that "No person shall manufacture, import, offer to the public, provide, or otherwise traffic in any technology, product, service, device, component, or part thereof, that --- (A) is primarily designed or produced for the purpose of circumventing protection afforded by a technological measure that effectively protects a right of a copyright owner under this title in a work or a portion thereof;"
The Boucher Doolittle bill would add to both of these sections an exception for scientific research. Specifically, the bill provides that "Subsections (a)(2)(A) and (b)(1)(A) ... are each amended by inserting after ‘‘title’’ in subsection (a)(2)(A) and after ‘‘thereof’’ in subsection (b)(1)(A) the following: ‘‘unless the person is acting solely in furtherance of scientific research into technological protection measures’’."
Perhaps, this could be called the Professor Edward Felton exception.
Then, there is the critical part of the bill. Currently, § (c)(1) provides that "Nothing in this section shall affect rights, remedies, limitations, or defenses to copyright infringement, including fair use, under this title."
The Boucher Doolittle bill would to this sentence the following phrase: "and it is not a violation of this section to circumvent a technological measure in connection with access to, or the use of, a work if such circumvention does not result in an infringement of the copyright in the work".
Also, the bill would add to § (c) the following new subparagraph: "(5) It shall not be a violation of this title to manufacture, distribute, or make noninfringing use of a hardware or software product capable of enabling significant noninfringing use of a copyrighted work."
Neither of these two additions to § 1201(c) uses the term "fair use"; and neither references § 107, which codifies the fair use doctrine. However, the title of the subsection of the bill that contains these two additions is "FAIR USE RESTORATION".
Labeling and Unfair Trade Practices. The bill also imposes certain labeling requirements for digital music discs.
It provides that "The introduction into commerce, sale, offering for sale, or advertising for sale of a prerecorded digital music disc product which is mislabeled or falsely or deceptively advertised or invoiced, within the meaning of this section or any rules or regulations prescribed by the Commission pursuant to subsection (d), is unlawful and shall be deemed an unfair method of competition and an unfair and deceptive act or practice ..."
Next, the bill provides that "Prior to the time a prerecorded digital music disc product is sold and delivered to the ultimate consumer, it shall be unlawful to remove or mutilate, or cause or participate in the removal or mutilation of, any label required by this section or any rules or regulations prescribed by the" FTC.
And hence, the bill also gives the FTC authority to engage in rule making proceedings to promulgate rules that would, among other things, "require the proper labeling of prerecorded digital music disc products".
Moreover, the bill gives the FTC civil enforcement authority. However, the reach of this part of the bill is limited to music discs. It would not apply to e-books and movie DVDs. 
More News
10/3. The General Accounting Office (GAO) released a report [51 pages in PDF] titled "Critical Infrastructure Protection: Commercial Satellite Security Should Be More Fully Addressed". The GAO reported that "Although federal agencies rely on commercial satellites, federal customers do not dominate the commercial satellite market, accounting for only about 10 percent of it. As a result, federal customers generally have not influenced security techniques used for commercial satellites. Federal agencies do reduce their risk by securing those system components under their control -- the data links and communications ground stations -- but most components are typically the responsibility of the satellite service provider: the satellite; the telemetry, tracking, and control links; and the satellite control ground stations" and "by relying on redundant or backup capabilities, such as additional satellite services."
10/3. The The General Accounting Office (GAO) released a report [100 pages in PDF] titled "World Trade Organization: Analysis of China's Commitments to Other Members". The report is an analysis of PR China's World Trade Organization (WTO) accession agreement, 800 pages of legal documents that set forth China obligations to other WTO members, and how China will adhere to the WTO's underlying agreements, principles, rules, and specific procedures. The report was prepared for Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) and Rep. Bill Thomas (R-CA), the Chairmen of the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee.
10/3. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced that its now offers the complete collection of over 6.5 Million U.S. patents on DVD-ROM discs. See, release.
Charles James to Leave Antitrust Division
10/3. Charles James, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Antitrust Division, will leave the DOJ to become Vice President and General Counsel of Chevron Texaco Corporation. He has only been head of the Antitrust Division for just over one year. See, DOJ release.
During his short tenure, he settled the DOJ's antitrust case against Microsoft, without seeking a breakup. He has also sought improved coordination with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and foreign competition authorities.
FTC Chairman Timothy Muris stated in a release that "Thanks to his leadership, cooperation between the Department of Justice and the FTC has never been better."
Fed Vice Chairman Addresses Post 9/11 Continuity in Data Storage and Communications
10/3. Roger Ferguson, Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, gave a speech titled "Business Continuity after September 11". He spoke at the SWIFT Sibos World Forum in Geneva, Switzerland. He addressed disaster recovery and business continuity in financial institutions, financial markets, and operations centers, including data storage and communications issues.
Roger FergusonFerguson (at right) said that "To help prevent and contain the effects of a regional event, financial utilities and critical firms should regionally diversify their back offices and operational sites that support clearing and settlement for critical markets. In particular, primary operations and backup operations need to be significantly more diverse in order to meet the greater regional risks. The old model of having primary and backup operations centers in close proximity so that they can be served by a common labor pool does not address the possibility of a significant threat to an entire region and labor pool."
He also spoke about the challenges in addressing the risks of regional disruptions. He said that one of these challenges involves technology. He stated that "Some key technologies for data storage and communication do not accommodate regional diversification as readily as we all would like. The challenge here will be to modify existing arrangements, solve technological problems, and find new ways to facilitate diversification. I am sure that the firms attending Sibos are very aware of these issues, and I trust that the market for these technologies will see a flow of very creative solutions over the coming months."
Finally, he mentioned telecommunications. He said that "We have known for some time that our progress in automating the financial markets has made us highly dependent on telecommunications. In our own discussions within the Federal Reserve and our discussions with others, the issue of telecommunications circuit diversity is very important. I encourage firms to take this issue seriously and to discuss it with individual telecommunications providers, industry groups, and appropriate government officials." 
FCC Announces Agenda for October 10 Meeting
10/3. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the agenda for its Thursday, October 10 meeting.
The agenda includes four items. First, the FCC will consider a NPRM concerning the reform of the International Settlements Policy, its international simple resale and benchmarks policy, and the issue of foreign mobile termination rates. This is IB Docket No. 96-261. Second, the FCC will consider a First Report and Order regarding digital operation by terrestrial radio broadcasters. This is MM Docket No. 99-325. Third, the FCC will consider a Forfeiture Order concerning compliance with the shared transport condition of the SBC Ameritech merger order. Finally, the FCC's Enforcement Bureau will report on recent enforcement activities.
The meeting will be open to the public. It will be held in the Commission Meeting Room (TW-C305), 445 12th Street, SW, at 9:30 AM.
Bills Introduced
10/2. Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) introduced S 3034, a bill to facilitate check truncation by authorizing substitute checks, to foster innovation in the check collection system without mandating receipt of checks in electronic form, and to improve the overall efficiency of the nation's payments system. It was referred to the Senate Banking Committee. Sen. Johnson stated that this bill "improves America's check payments system by allowing banks to exchange checks electronically. Current law requires banks to physically present and return original checks, a tedious, antiquated and expensive process. This legislation will also reduce infrastructure costs for banks, allowing for more flexibility and greater cost savings for the consumer."
10/2. Sen. Tim Hutchinson (R-AR) introduced S 3035, the Eliminating Profiteering through Illegal Cigarette Sales (EPICS) Act, a bill to prohibit the sale of tobacco products through the Internet or other indirect means to underage individuals, and facilitate the collection of taxes on cigarette. It was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. He stated that "The EPICS Act prohibits online sales of cigarettes to minors. It also ensures that minors are not able to purchase cigarettes online using a false identification by enacting strict identification verification requirements. In order to assist states enforcement of age requirements and collection of taxes, this bill will dramatically strengthen the Jenkins Act. This law requires anyone who ships or sells tobacco products over state lines other than to licensed dealers to report those sales to the state tax administrator. When this is done, states can ensure that sales are not being made to minors and that due taxes have been collected." 
People and Appointments
10/2. The Senate approved the nomination of James Gardner to be a Judge of the U.S. District Court (EDPenn).
10/2. The Senate approved the nomination of Ronald Clark to be a Judge of the U.S. District Court (EDTex).
10/2. The Senate approved the nomination of Lawrence Block to be a Judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims for a term of fifteen years.
Commentary: Commerce Versus Judiciary Committee Jurisdiction
10/3. Rep. Rick Boucher's (D-VA) and Rep. John Doolittle's (R-CA) bill, the Digital Media Consumers’ Rights Act of 2002, fundamentally deals with intellectual property rights, which ordinarily falls within the jurisdiction of the House Judiciary Committee. The bill's most significant provision would create a fair use exception to the anti- circumvention provisions of the DMCA, which is part of the Copyright Act. However, they have carefully drafted their bill in a manner that gives primary jurisdiction over the bill to the House Commerce Committee.
The bill is nine pages long. It is not until the bottom of page 8 that the amendments to the anti- circumvention provision are stated. The previous pages deal with amendments to the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTCA) regarding music disc labeling, unfair trade practices under the FTCA, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule making proceedings, and reports by the FTC. The FTC and the FTCA fall within the jurisdiction of the Commerce Committee.
By drafting so much of the bill as amendments to the FTCA, Rep. Boucher and Rep. Doolittle seek to put this bill within the primary jurisdiction of the Commerce Committee.
Rep. Boucher spoke about jurisdiction at a press conference to announce the introduction of the bill. He stated that "the committee to which this bill is referred is the Committee on Commerce. We are standing in a Commerce Committee hearing room today. This is the Committee that will have primary jurisdiction of this bill." He added that "the Judiciary Committee will have a sequential referral of this measure when it is reported from the House Committee on Commerce. And, the Judiciary Committee, in anticipation of that sequential referral, could have hearings on this measure at any time."
He further explained that "we have written the bill in such a way as to invoke Commerce Committee jurisdiction".
There are significant strategic reasons for writing this bill to place it within the primary jurisdiction of the Commerce Committee. The two Committees are quite different in outlook. And, legislative procedures, including assignments of jurisdiction, can affect legislative outcomes. In this case, the bill is more likely to receive favorable action from the Commerce Committee than from the Judiciary Committee.
The differences between the two Committees are based on their different missions and different constituencies.
In the minds of many Judiciary Committee members, and especially its Courts, Internet and Intellectual Property (CIIP) subcommittee members, America leads the world economically and culturally because it has the most innovative and creative people and businesses. One of the main reasons Americans invent and create so prolifically is because they are rewarded for creative efforts by legal protections created by legislation written by the CIIP subcommittee. To CIIP members, its is a Constitutional mission handed down to them by the Founding Fathers. Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution provides that "Congress shall have Power ... To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries".
CIIP members tend to see it as their mission, that as new technologies and industries evolve, and as new methods for infringement appear, they must adjust the law so that the creators of intellectual property have well defined quasi property rights, and the legal recourse to adequately protect those rights. This means passing new laws, and creating new legal causes of action.
Moreover, this view tends to be reinforced by their regular interaction with an intellectual property creating constituency. It consists primarily of creators and owners of intellectual property, businesses and groups which serve the intellectual property community, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and the unions which represent USPTO workers.
There is wide consensus within this constituency that strong intellectual property laws are a good thing. These are all people who depend on the protection of intellectual property, or at least observe the catastrophic effects when intellectual property protections are lacking.
In contrast, the members of the Commerce Committee tend to see things altogether differently. They are just a patriotic, just as committed to promoting prosperity, and just as convinced that they too have a Constitutional mission. Their mission derives from Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which provides that "Congress shall have Power ... To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States ..." But, they tend to have a vastly different take on intellectual property matters.
Many of the problems that the Commerce Committee deals with on a regular basis involve monopolies and bottlenecks in the economy, burdensome regulation by government bureaucracies, and the consequences of frivolous and expensive class action lawsuits. The members tend to see their mission as promoting free enterprise, and the marketplace. They tend to see monopolies, bottlenecks, bureaucracies and litigation as drags on economic efficiency. They tend to pursue their mission, not by creating new laws, and new rights, but by ending monopolies, repealing laws, and restricting lawsuits.
Many members of the Commerce Committee view intellectual property in this light. They tend to view it as creating monopolies and bottlenecks. They tend to view the Copyright Act, and the Byzantine rules promulgated by the Copyright Office, as impenetrable bureaucratic regulation. Finally, the method by which intellectual property is enforced -- litigation -- is antithetical to many Commerce Committee members.
Moreover, the companies and groups that the Commerce Committee, and particularly its Telecom and Internet Subcommmittee, deal with on a regular basis tend to be consumers, rather than producers, of intellectual property. Telecom and Internet companies do not like paying for broadcast content, or for access databases. They do not like being subpoenaed by content companies for the alleged infringing conduct of their customers. And, they do not want to have to police the conduct of their customers to protect the intellectual property rights of others.
Hence, it is only natural for the Commerce Committee members to want to leave intellectual property protection to the marketplace, rather to create statutory rights and causes of action.
Rep. Boucher is an oddity in the House. He sits on both the Judiciary Committee and the Commerce Committee. Hence, he is acutely aware of the differences between the two Committees, and the consequences of jurisdictional decisions. By writing a bill designed to place primary jurisdiction with the Commerce Committee, Rep. Boucher seeks to have his bill reviewed and molded by the Committee that is far more sympathetic to the principles underlying his bill.
Friday, October 4
The House will meet at 9:00 AM for legislative business. The agenda includes several non tech related matters. See, Whip Notice.
9:30 AM. The U.S. District Court (DDC) will hear oral argument in Recording Industry Association of America v. Verizon Internet Services, a subpoena enforcement proceeding involving application of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. This is D.C. No. 1:02MS00323; Judge John Bates will preside. See, TLJ story titled "Verizon and Privacy Groups Oppose RIAA Subpoena", August 30, 2002.
9:30 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals (DCCir) will hear oral argument in Southern Company Services, Inc. v. FCC, No. 01-1326. This is a petition for review of a final order of the FCC regarding 47 U.S.C. § 224 (Section 703 of the 1996 Act) and rates, terms and conditions of access for attachments by cable operators and telecommunications carriers to utility poles, ducts, conduits and rights of way. See, FCC order [78 pages in PDF in three parts: 1 | 2 | 3] titled "Consolidated Partial Order on Reconsideration", released on May 25, 2001. This in the proceedings titled "In the Matter of the Commission's Rules and Policies Concerning Pole Attachments" (CS Docket No. 97-98), and "In the Matter of the Implementation of Section 703(e) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996" (CS Docket No. 97-151). Judges Edwards, Rogers and Garland will preside. Location: 333 Constitution Ave., NW.
9:30 - 10:45 AM. Paul Gallant (Chair of the FCC's Media Ownership Working Group) will participate on a panel titled, "Media Ownership and the Public Interest: The Role of the FCC" at a Consumer Federation of America's conference on energy and communications regulation. Location: Radisson Barcelo Hotel.
12:15 PM. The FCBA's Wireless Committee will host a luncheon titled "Wireless Industry Consolidation: Is It Needed? Will It Happen?" The scheduled speakers are Chris Murphy (Consumers Union), Rudy Baca (Precursor Group), and Lauren Patrich (FCC Commercial Wireless Division). The price to attend is $15. RSVP to wendy @fcba.org. Registrations and cancellations due by 5:00 PM on October 1. Location: Sidley Austin, 1501 K Street, NW, Conference Room 6E.
Monday, October 7
The Supreme Court will return from its recess, which it began on June 28, 2002.
9:30 - 11:00 AM. The Markle Foundation will hold a panel discussion, and will release a report, titled "Protecting America's Freedom in the Information Age". The scheduled speakers are Zoe Baird (Markle Co-Chair), James Barksdale (Markle Co-Chairs), Gov. Michael Leavitt (R-UT), Philip Zelikow (Miller Center for Public Affairs), William Crowell (former Deputy Director of the National Security Agency), Esther Dyson (EDVenture Holdings), Jerry Berman (Center for Democracy and Technology), and Frank Sesno (former CNN Washington Bureau Chief). Press contact: Kristine Gager at 202 326-1747 or Kristine.Gager @edelman.com. Location: National Press Club, 13th Floor, Holeman Lounge, 529 14th Street, NW.
12:00 NOON. The FCBA's Engineering and Technical Practice Committee will hold a brown bag lunch to discuss committee planning and priorities for the rest of the year. Location: Paul Hastings, 1299 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, 10th floor.
2:00 PM. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing to examine pending judicial nominations. Location: Room 226, Dirksen Building.
2:00 - 4:00 PM. The FCC will hold an en banc hearing on "the current state of the telecommunications sector and to discuss steps needed to restore its financial health". See, notice [PDF]. Location: FCC, Commission Meeting Room (TW-C305), 445 12th St., SW.
Extended deadline for the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) to complete its investigation titled "Certain Integrated Circuits, Processes for Making Same, and Products Containing Same". This is the USITC's Investigation No. 337-TA-450. See, notice in the Federal Register.
Tuesday, October 8
The Supreme Court will hear oral argument in FCC v. Nextwave, Case No. 01-653, and Arctic Slope Corp. v. Nextwave, Case No. 01-657.
Day one of a three day public workshop hosted by the FTC to "explore how certain state regulations and private business practices may be having significantly anticompetitive effects on e-commerce". See, FTC release. Location: FTC, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.
10:00 AM. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a business meeting. See, notice. Press contact: Blythe McCormick at 202 224-9437. Location: Room 226, Dirksen Building.
10:00 AM. The Copyright Office (CO) will hold a status conference regarding data format and delivery for record keeping requirements to be established by the CO for the Section 112 and 114 statutory licenses. See, notice [PDF].
12:15 PM. The FCBA's Professional Responsibility Committee will hold a brown bag lunch to discuss the scheduling of committee events and activities for the upcoming year. For More Information: Frank Montero. No RSVP is required. Location: Arnold & Porter, 555 12th Street, NW.
12:30 PM. Tom Donahue, P/CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will give a luncheon address. Location: National Press Club, Ballroom, 529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor.
Wednesday, October 9
The Supreme Court will hear oral argument in Eldred v. Ashcroft, Case No. 01-618.
Day one of a two day symposium titled "The Rule of Law in the Information Age: Reconciling Private Rights and Public Interest" hosted by the Catholic University of America School of Law. See, schedule. Location: CUA, Walter Slowinski Court Room.
10:00 AM. The House Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection will hold a hearing titled "Telecommunications and Trade Promotion Authority: Meaningful Market Access Goals for Telecommunications Services in International Trade Agreements". Web cast. See, notice. Location: Room 2322, Rayburn Building.
10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals (FedCir) will hear oral argument in Northrop Grumman v. Intel, No. 02-1024. Location: Courtroom 402, 717 Madison Place, NW.
Day two of a three day public workshop hosted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to "explore how certain state regulations and private business practices may be having significantly anticompetitive effects on e-commerce". See, FTC release. Location: FTC, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.
TIME? The Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) will meet to "obtain information from interested individuals, organizations, and groups about potential future projects". See, notice in Federal Register.
Deadline to submit comments to the FCC regarding SBC's Section 271 application with the FCC to provide in region interLATA service in the state of California. This is WC Docket No. 02-306. See, FCC notice [PDF]. 
Thursday, October 10
9:30 AM. The FCC will hold a meeting. The agenda includes four items. First, the FCC will consider a NPRM concerning the reform of the International Settlements Policy, its international simple resale and benchmarks policy, and the issue of foreign mobile termination rates. (IB Docket No. 96-261). Second, the FCC will consider a First Report and Order regarding digital operation by terrestrial radio broadcasters. (MM Docket No. 99-325). Third, the FCC will a Forefeiture Order concerning compliance with the shared transport condition of the SBC Ameritech merger order. Finally, the FCC's Enforcement Bureau will report on recent enforcement activities. Location: FCC, 445 12th Street, SW, Room TW-C05 (Commission Meeting Room).
12:00 PM. The Cato Institute will host a book forum. Jagdish Bhagwati (Columbia University) will discuss his book, Free Trade Today, and a collection which he edited, Going Alone: The Case for Relaxed Reciprocity in Freeing Trade. Robert Litan (Brookings) will comment. Webcast. Lunch will follow the program. See, notice. Location: Cato, 1000 Massachusetts Ave., NW.
Day two of a two day symposium titled "The Rule of Law in the Information Age: Reconciling Private Rights and Public Interest" hosted by the Catholic University of America School of Law. See, schedule. Location: CUA, Walter Slowinski Court Room.
Day three of a three day public workshop hosted by the FTC to "explore how certain state regulations and private business practices may be having significantly anticompetitive effects on e-commerce". See, FTC release. Location: FTC, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.
Day one of a two day Annual Update Conference on Export Controls and Policy hosted by the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). See, agenda. Location: to be announced.
Deadline to submit comments to the FCC regarding BellSouth's Section 271 application with the FCC to provide in region interLATA service in the states of Florida and Tennessee. This is WC Docket No. 02-307. See, FCC notice [PDF].
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