2/28. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Michael Copps gave a speech [6 pages in PDF] regarding homeland security, interoperability, public safety spectrum, DTV transition, health care communications, and 911 issues. He addressed the availability of 911 service with voice over internet protocol (VOIP) services. He said that it is "our solemn and pressing obligation to make sure that it is available".

Copps (at right) stated that "we have a real challenge with VOIP" and 911. He added that "Let me be the first to say that I do not have a ready answer for the VOIP 911 question. Certainly we need to understand that VOIP doesn’t use the same technology as the circuit-switched network and this should be reflected in our rules. And we need to figure out when one player offers an application and another is a service provider."

Then, he stated that "This problem has to be fixed. And it has to be fixed soon. It is simply unacceptable that a child can pick up a phone and dial 9-1-1 to get the police in an emergency and instead she gets a recording saying that 9-1-1 is not available. A 9-1-1 call can be the single most important call that child, or any of us, ever makes. So it is our solemn and pressing obligation to make sure that it is available and that it works."

2/25. The Antitrust Modernization Commission (AMC) released a revised draft of a memorandum [5 pages in PDF] on the formation of study groups, and issues selected for study.

The AMC last met on January 13, 2005. It next meeting is on March 24, 2005 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 NOON. This public meeting will be held at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Conference Center Rooms A & B, 601 New Jersey Ave., NW.

Two of the study groups are technology related. They are named "New Economy Issues" and "Regulated Industries".

The "New Economy Issues" study group will address "Antitrust analysis applied to industries characterized by significant technological innovation" and "Balancing the protection of IP rights and promotion of competition".

The memorandum identifies two intellectual property rights issues to be addressed by the new economy issues study group: "Should industries involving significant technological innovation be treated differently under the antitrust laws?" and "How does the current intellectual property regime affect competition?"

This study group will also examine single firm conduct, which would include such things as product design by companies like Microsoft. The memorandum states that this study group will examine the following: "Are there features of the modern (or ``new´´) economy that warrant different treatment -- whether harsher or more lenient -- of single-firm or vertical conduct in ``new economy´´ industries?"

The memorandum does not identity any regulated industries, or industry sector regulators that conduct antitrust related proceedings. However, the "Regulated Industries" study group would address communications and information technology industries, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The memorandum lists three issues to be studied by this regulated industries study group.

First, "How should responsibility for the enforcement of antitrust laws in regulated industries be divided between the antitrust agencies and other regulatory agencies?"

Second, "What is the appropriate standard for determining the extent to which the antitrust laws apply to regulated industries where the regulatory structure contains no specific antitrust exemption and/or contains a specific antitrust savings clause?"

And third, "Should Congress and regulatory agencies set industry-specific standards for particular antitrust violations that may conflict with general standards for the same violations?"

Finally, the memorandum identifies one more issue: "Undertake a comprehensive empirical examination of the effects of antitrust enforcement on consumers and the economy." However, it states that this issue is "Deferred for additional development".

2/28. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released several orders denying complaints regarding broadcast indecency. These orders were adopted on February 3, 2005 and February 14, 2005, but not announced or released until February 28, 2005.

The FCC released a Memorandum Opinion and Order [9 pages in PDF] denying the complaint of the American Family Association (AFA) and others asserting that ABC's 8:00 PM broadcast of the movie titled "Saving Private Ryan" violated the statute and rules regarding indecent materials. The FCC determined that the use of profanity within the overall context of the movie was not indecent. This order was adopted on February 3. It is FCC 05-23. See also, FCC release.

FCC Chairman Michael Powell wrote in a separate statement [PDF] that "we reaffirm that content cannot be evaluated without careful consideration of context. Saving Private Ryan is filled with expletives and material arguably unsuitable for some audiences, but it is not indecent in the unanimous view of the Commission."

He added that "This film is a critically acclaimed artwork that tells a gritty story -- one of bloody battles and supreme heroism. The horror of war and the enormous personal sacrifice it draws on cannot be painted in airy pastels. The true colors are muddy brown and fire red and any accurate depiction of this significant historical tale could not be told properly without bringing that sense to the screen. It is for these reasons that the FCC has previously declined to rule this film indecent."

The FCC released a Memorandum Opinion and Order [4 pages in PDF] denying the complaint of the Parents Television Council (PTC) asserting the Fox Television Stations' broadcast of a program titled "Arrested Development" violated the statute and rules regarding indecent materials. This order was adopted on February 14. It is FCC 05-36. See also, FCC release.

The FCC released a Memorandum Opinion and Order [4 pages in PDF] denying the complaint of the PTC asserting the NBC Telemundo Licensing Co.'s broadcast of a program titled "Will and Grace" violated the statute and rules regarding indecent materials. This order was adopted on February 14. It is FCC 05-38. See also, FCC release.

The FCC released a Memorandum Opinion and Order denying the complaint of the PTC asserting the WBDC Broadcasting, Inc.'s broadcast of a program titled "Angel" violated the statute and rules regarding indecent materials. This order was adopted on February 14. It is FCC 05-37. See also, FCC release.

3/1. Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK), the Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, gave a speech to a National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention. See, audio [MP3] of prepared speech. (This audio file does not include his followup statements, or his statements to reporters after the speech.)

Most of the speech focused on broadcast indecency. However, he also touched on media concentration, must carry, DTV transition, the operations of the Senate Commerce Committee, and other topics.

He again stated that he and Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI), the ranking Democrat on the Committee, cooperate like brothers. He also said that the Committee is holding closed "listening sessions", rather than open public hearings, to obtain information on various issues.

Stevens said in his prepared speech that "I'm not prude", but "sexual content is rampant on television", and that cable TV is worse.

He said in his prepared speech, which he cleared with Sen. Inouye, that "no one wants censorship; but we want your cooperation".

In comments to reporters afterwards he said that he favors extending the indecency requirements from broadcast radio and television to cable TV and satellite radio and TV.

Sen. Stevens reviewed HR 310, the "Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005", which would amend the Communications Act by increasing the maximum penalty for obscene, indecent, or profane material in radio or television broadcasts from $32,500 to $500,000 per violation. He also discussed Senate Commerce Committee consideration of related legislation.

The House approved its bill on February 18, 2005. See also, story titled "House Commerce Committee Approves Bill to Increase Broadcast Indecency Fines" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,074, February 10, 2005.

Brent Bozell, President of the Parents Television Council (PTC), commented on Sen. Stevens' statements. Bozell wrote in the PTC web site that "We support cable consumer choice as the best way to protect families from content they find offensive or that may be indecent and to protect free speech concerns. But if the cable operators refuse to allow consumer choice, then we believe that any cable network which is included in the basic or expanded basic tiers should be forced to comply with the same decency standards as the broadcast networks. Such a policy would force those networks that don’t adhere to such standards onto a separate subscription tier."

3/1. Michael Sievert was named corporate vice president for Windows product management at Microsoft. He will be responsible for "marketing, product management and product planning for the Windows Client, including the next version of Microsoft Windows, code-named ``Longhorn,´´ slated for release in 2006". See, Microsoft release. He was previously EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at AT&T Wireless Services. Before that, he was EVP and chief global marketing and sales officer at E*TRADE. And before that, he worked for IBM.

3/1. Robert Sachs, the former P/CEO of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), rejoined Continental Consulting Group, LLC, effective March 1. He was replaced at the NCTA by Kyle McSlarrow. See, NCTA release. See also, story titled "NCTA Picks Kyle McSlarrow to Replace Sachs" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,065, January 28, 2005.

2/28. Deborah Klein was named acting Chief of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Media Bureau (MB). She is currently the Chief of Staff at the MB. She has worked at the FCC since 1994. She will replace Kenneth Ferree, who is leaving on March 4, 2005. See, FCC release [PDF].

3/1. The Supreme Court issued a short order in the Brand X case. This case pertains to the regulatory classification of cable modem service. The Court wrote that "The motion of the Acting Solicitor General for divided argument is granted." See, Order List [19 pages in PDF] at page 12. This proceeding is NCTA v. Brand X Internet Services, No. 04-277, and FCC v. Brand X, No. 04-281. Oral argument is scheduled for Tuesday, March 29, 2005. See, March calendar [PDF]. See also, story titled "Supreme Court Grants Certiorari in Brand X Case" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,029, December 3, 2004.

3/1. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a report titled "Interference Potential of Ultrawideband Signals: Part 1: Procedures to Characterize Ultrawideband Emissions and Measure Interference Susceptibility of C-Band Satellite Digital Television Receivers". This report is the first in a series of three. See, short abstract, table of contents [2 pages in PDF], and report [huge PDF file].

3/1. Tessera Technologies, Inc. filed a complaint in U.S. District Court (EDTex) against Infineon Technologies AG and Micron Technology, Inc. alleging patent infringement. See, Tessera release. Tessera is based in San Jose, California. Infineon, which was spun off from Siemens AG, is based in Germany. Micron is based in Boise, Idaho. The Eastern District of Texas is a forum of choice for corporate plaintiffs in certain technology cases.

2/28. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announced the filing of hundreds more complaints, on behalf of record companies, alleging copyright infringement in connection with the use of peer to peer systems. See, RIAA release.

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The House will meet at 10:00 AM for legislative business. It will consider several non-technology related items under suspension of the rules. See, Republican Whip notice.

The Senate will meet at 9:15 AM for morning business. At 10:15 AM, it will resume consideration of S 256, the "Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005".

10:00 AM. The House Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet will hold a hearing titled "Competition in the Communications Marketplace: How Technology Is Changing the Structure of the Industry". The first panel of witnesses will be comprised of Edward Whitacre (Ch/CEO of SBC), David Dorman (Ch/CEO of AT&T), Ivan Seidenberg (Ch/CEO of Verizon), Michael Capellas (CEO of MCI), Gary Forsee (Ch/CEO of Sprint), and Timothy Donahue (P/CEO of Nextel). The second panel will be comprised of Mark Cooper (CFA), Jeff Halpern (equity research analyst at Sanford Bernstein), James Speta (Northwestern University School of Law), and Phil Weiser (University of Colorado School of Law). See, notice. The hearing will be webcast by the Committee. Press contact: Jon Tripp (Barton) at 202 225-5735 or Sean Bonyun (Upton) at 202 225-3761. Location: Room 2123, Rayburn Building.

2:00 PM. The House Homeland Security Committee's (HHSC) Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity will hold a hearing on the President's FY 2006 budget request. Deborah Spero, Deputy Commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Jim Williams, Director of the DHS's US-VISIT program, and Carol DiBattiste, Deputy Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will testify. Location: Room 2318, Rayburn Building.

10:30 AM. The Senate Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Homeland Security will hold a hearing on the President's FY 2006 budget request for (1) states, citizenship and immigration services, (2) customs and border protection, and (3) immigration and customs enforcement. The witnesses will be Robert Bonner, Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Michael Garcia, Assistant Secretary, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Eduardo Aguirre, Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Location: Room 138, Dirksen Building.

2:00 PM. The House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Science, State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing on the President's FY 2006 budget request. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Guitierrez will testify. The hearing will be webcast. Location: Room 2358, Rayburn Building.

2:00 PM. The House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Homeland Security will hold a hearing on the President's FY 2006 budget request. Secretary Michael Chertoff will testify. The hearing will be webcast. Location: Room 2359, Rayburn Building.

2:00 - 4:00 PM. The Department of State's International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) will meet to prepare for the International Telecommunications Union's (ITU) Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG) meeting. See, the ITU's calendar of meetings. See, notice in the Federal Register, December 20, 2004, Vol. 69, No. 243, at Page 76027. For more information, including the location, contact Julian Minard at minardje@state.gov. Location: undisclosed.

Day one of a three convention hosted by the Center for Homeland and Global Security titled "4th Annual Homeland and Global Security Summit". Charles McQuery, Under Secretary of Homeland Security, will speak at 1:15 PM. Stewart Verdery, Assistant Secretary Secretary of Homeland Security, will speak at 1:40 PM. See, notice. Location: Washington Convention Center.

The House will meet at 10:00 AM for legislative business. It will consider several non-technology related items under suspension of the rules. See, Republican Whip notice.

8:30 AM - 4:00 PM. The Executive Office of the President's (EOP) Office of Science and Technology Policy's (OSTP) National Science and Technology Council's (NSTC) Manufacturing Research and Development Interagency Working Group (IWG) will hold a one day public forum on manufacturing research and development in nanomanufacturing, manufacturing for the hydrogen economy, and intelligent and integrated manufacturing systems. See, notice in the Federal Register, February 1, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 20, at Page 5181. Location: auditorium, Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Ave., NW.

9:30 AM. The House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property (CIIP) will meet to mark up several items: S 167, the "Family Entertainment and Copyright Act of 2005", HR 683, the "Trademark Dilution Revision Act of 2005", HR __, technical corrections to the "Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004", HR __, technical corrections to the "Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act of 2004", HR __, the "Multidistrict Litigation Restoration Act of 2005", and HConRes 53, regarding the issuance of the 500,000th design patent to DaimlerChrysler. Location: Room 2141, Rayburn Building.

9:30 AM. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold an executive business meeting. See, notice. 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.

10:00 AM. The Senate Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary will hold a hearing on the President's proposed budget FY 2006 for the Department of Commerce. Location: Room 192, Dirksen Building.

2:30 PM. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on several judicial nominees: Terrence Boyle, (to be a Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit), James Dever (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina), and Robert Conrad (U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina). See, notice. Press contact: Blain Rethmeier (Specter) at 202 224-5225, or Tracy Schmaler (Leahy) at 202 224-2154. Location: Room 226, Dirksen Building.

3:00 PM. The House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities will hold a hearing the Fiscal Year 2006 national defense authorization budget request on tactical command, control, communications, and computer (C-4) systems. The hearing is titled "Why Does the DoD Have So Many Different Systems Performing the Same Functionally?". The witnesses will be Linton Wells (Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration), Vice Admiral R.F. Willard (U.S. Navy, Director for Force Structure, Resources and Assessment), Lt. Gen. Robert Shea (U.S. Marine Corps, Director for Command, Control, Communications and Computer Systems), and Lt. Gen. Robert Wagner (U.S. Army, Deputy Commander, United States Forces Command). Location: Room 2212, Rayburn Building.

2:30 PM. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on judicial nominees. Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) will preside. 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.

4:00 PM. David Nimmer (Irell & Manella) will present a draft paper titled "Codifying Copyright Comprehensively". See, notice of event. This event is part of the Spring 2005 Intellectual Property Workshop Series sponsored by the Dean Dinwoodey Center for Intellectual Property Studies at the George Washington University Law School (GWULS). For more information, contact Robert Brauneis at 202 994-6138 or rbraun at law dot gwu dot edu. The event is free and open to the public. Location: GWULS, Faculty Conference Center, Burns Building, 5th Floor, 716 20th St., NW.

TIME? There will be a meeting of the Executive Office of the President's (EOP) Office of Science and Technology Policy's (OSTP) National Science and Technology Council's (NSTC) Committee on Science's Subcommittee on Research Business Methods. The meeting is closed to the public. For more information, contact Megan Columbus at 301 435-0937. Location: undisclosed.

6:00 - 8:00 PM. The Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) will host an event titled "FCBA Biennial Congressional Reception". The price to attend ranges from $25 to $75. See, registration form [PDF]. Location: Room HC-5, Capitol Building.

Day two of a three convention hosted by the Center for Homeland and Global Security titled "4th Annual Homeland and Global Security Summit". See, notice. Location: Washington Convention Center.

Deadline to submit reply comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding BellSouth's and Sprint's petition for reconsideration of the FCC's schools and libraries Fifth Report and Order. The FCC adopted this 5th R&O at its August 4, 2004 meeting, and released it on August 13, 2004. See, FCC Public Notice (DA 05-103). This 5th R&O is FCC 04-190 in CC Docket No. 02-6.

Day three of a three convention hosted by the Center for Homeland and Global Security titled "4th Annual Homeland and Global Security Summit". See, notice. Location: Washington Convention Center.

Deadline to submit reply comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding Qualcomm's Petition for Declaratory Ruling seeking clarification of rules and the establishment of a streamlined review process to accelerate the deployment of new services in the 700 MHz band. See, FCC Public Notice (DA 05-87). This proceeding is WT Docket No. 05-7.

Deadline to submit comments to Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) in response to the Department of Defense's (DOC) and Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) National Cyber Security Division's (NCSD) request for public comments regarding the National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) and security flaws in commercial software products. See, notice in the Federal Register, February 2, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 21, at Page 5420.

9:30 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals (DCCir) will hear oral argument in i2way v. FCC, No. 03-1174. This is a petition for review of an order of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) interpreting its rule that provides that no more than ten channels for a trunked mobile radio operation may be applied for in a single application. See, FCC's brief [25 pages in PDF]. Judges Randolph, Roberts and Williams will preside. Location: Prettyman Courthouse, 333 Constitution Ave., NW.

10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals (FedCir) will hear oral argument in Storage Technology, Corp. v. Custom Hardware Engineering & Consulting, Inc., No. 04-1462. This is an appeal from the U.S. District Court (DMass), in a case involving patent infringement, DMCA, copyright, trade secret and antitrust claims. This is D.C. No. 02-12102-RWZ. Location: Courtroom 402, 717 Madison Place, NW.

10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals (FedCir) will hear oral argument in Ericsson Radio Systems, Inc. v. Interdigital Comm. Corp., a patent case involving cell phone technology. This is an appeal from the U.S. District Court (NDTex), D.C. No. 04-1484, Location: Courtroom 402, 717 Madison Place, NW.

10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals (FedCir) will hear oral argument in Space Systems v. Lockheed Martin, 04-1501. Location: Courtroom 203, 717 Madison Place, NW.

12:15 PM. The Federal Communications Bar Association's (FCBA) Transactional Practice Committee will host a brown bag lunch "to discuss and plan upcoming programs". RSVP to Tammi Foxwell at tfoxwell at dlalaw dot com or 202 776-2699. Location: Dow Lohnes & Albertson, 1200 New Hampshire Ave., NW, 8th floor.

2:00 PM. The U.S. Court of Appeals (FedCir) will hear oral argument in PMI Photomagic, Ltd. v. Foto Fantasy, Inc., No. 04-1362. Location: Courtroom 402, 717 Madison Place, NW.

2:00 PM. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on the nomination of Michael Jackson to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. See, notice. Location: Room 342, Dirksen Building.

2:00 PM. The U.S. Court of Appeals (FedCir) will hear oral argument in Mirror Imaging, LLC v. Affiliated Computer Services, Inc., No. 04-1479. Location: Courtroom 402, 717 Madison Place, NW.

Deadline to submit comments to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in response to its notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) regarding various pay and work schedule issues. Among the subjects addressed in this NPRM is the e-Payroll initiative. See, notice in the Federal Register, January 5, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 3, at Pages 1067 - 1110.

8:00 - 9:30 AM. Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), Chairman of the House Republican Study Committee, will be the speaker at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Policy Insiders event. The price to attend ranges from free to $55. See, notice. For more information, contact Matt Haller at mhaller at uschamber dot com or 202 463-3176. Location: Herman Lay Room, U.S. Chamber, 1615 H St., NW.

9:00 AM. The Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS) Regulations and Procedures Technical Advisory Committee (RPTAC) will meet. The meeting agenda includes an "Update on computer and microprocessor technology controls" and an "Update on encryption controls". (Emphasis added.) See, notice in the Federal Register, February 18, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 33, at Pages 8342-8343. Location: Room 3884, Herbert Hoover Building, 14th Street between Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues, NW.

9:30 AM. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on judicial nominations. 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.

10:00 AM - 12:00 NOON. The Department of State's International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) will meet to prepare for the Organization of American States' (OAS) Inter-American Telecommunication Commission's (CITEL) Permanent Consultative Committee II meeting in Guatemala to be held in April 2005. See, notice in the Federal Register, December 30, 2004, Vol. 69, No. 250, at Pages 78515-78516. For more information, including the location, contact Cecily Holiday at holidaycc@state.gov or Anne Jillson at jillsonad@state.gov. Location: undisclosed.

10:00 AM. The President's Export Council's Subcommittee on Export Administration will hold hold a partially closed meeting. See, notice in the Federal Register, February 11, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 28, at Page 7232. Location: Room 4832, Department of Commerce, 14th Street between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues, NW.

Deadline to submit initial comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to its notice of proposed rulemaking regarding revisions to its Schedule of Regulatory Fees. See, notice in the Federal Register, February 28, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 38, at Pages 9575-9606.

RESCHEDULED FOR MARCH 3. The Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) will host an event titled "FCBA Biennial Congressional Reception".

8:30 AM - 5:30 PM. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will host a plenary meeting of the Technical Guidelines Development Committee. This pertains to the developing the security and usability of computer voting systems. See, NIST notice, and NIST voting web site. Location: NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Building 101, Gaithersburg, MD.

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. The Advisory Committee to the Congressional Internet Caucus will host an event titled "RFID Exhibition & Policy Primer". See, notice. Location: Room 902, Hart Building.

9:30 AM. Clayton Christensen, a professor at Harvard Business School, will give a speech titled "How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Communications Industry". He is the author of The Innovator's Dilemna [Amazon], The Innovator's Solution: Creating and Sustaining Successful Growth [Amazon], and Seeing What's Next: Using Theories of Innovation to Predict Industry Change [Amazon]. Breakfast will be served at 8:30 AM. RSVP to 202 380-0620 or conferences at hbsp dot harvard dot edu. Location: Ballroom, National Press Club, 529 14th St., NW.

10:00 AM. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on the President's budget request for FY 2006 for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). See, notice. Room 342, Dirksen Building.

Day one of a three day conference host by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) titled "IAPP National Summit". See, conference web site. Location: Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert St., NW.