5/13. Rep. Darrrell Issa (R-CA), the ranking Republican on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee (HOGRC) introduced HR 2392 [LOC | WW], the "The Government Information Transparency Act".

The HOGRC will meet on Thursday, June 4, 2009, at 10:00 AM to mark up this bill. It will meet in Room 2154 of the Rayburn Building. See, notice.

This bill would require the "Federal Government to standardize the collection, analysis, and dissemination of business and financial information regarding business activities of companies through the use of a single data standard known as eXtensible Business Reporting Language".

The bill would also require agencies to "ensure that the information collected under the standard is accessible to the general public to the extent permitted by law".

Rep. Issa (at right) spoke and asked questions about the use of XBRL in documents related to the federal government's Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) at a hearing of the HOGRC's Subcommittee on Domestic Policy on March 11, 2009. See, video [5:35 YouTube].

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) already allows use of eXtensible Business Reporting Language, or XBRL, in certain reporting to the SEC. It also refers to XBRL formatted filings as interactive data.

Companies such as Comcast, General Electric, Infosys, and Microsoft, are already inserting into the source code of certain electronic filings XBRL tags that enable software to read and extract information from those filings. In addition, the SEC has proposed making use of XBRL mandatory for certain filings.

See also, stories titled "SEC Proposes Rules Requiring XBRL Tagged Filings" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,767, May 15, 2008; "What Shakespeare Had to Say About XBRL and Interactive Data" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,760, May 5, 2008; and "SEC General Counsel Predicts SEC Will Soon Propose Making XBRL Mandatory" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,746, April 14, 2008.

Former SEC Chairman Chris Cox was an early and enthusiastic promoter of XBRL. He frequently gave speeches on merits of interactive data. See, for example, speech of November 7, 2005, in Tokyo, Japan, and speech of November 11, 2005, in Boca Raton, Florida. See also, story titled "SEC Chairman Cox Discusses Use of Interactive Data in Corporate Reporting" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,250, November 9, 2005.

See also, SEC's web section on XBRL.

6/2. The Senate Commerce Committee (SCC) will hold a hearing on June 3, 2009, at 2:30 PM titled "GM And Chrysler Dealership Closures: Protecting Dealers And Consumers". See, notice.

All of the announced witnesses are from the auto industry: Fritz Henderson (CEO of General Motors Corporation), James Press (President of Chrysler), John McEleney (Chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association), Russell Whatley (Owner/Dealer, Russell Whatley Motor Company), and Pete Lopez (P/CEO of Spencer Auto Group).

Many persons have written papers that argue that state laws that protect auto dealers from internet competition create inefficiency, raise prices, and harm consumers. Yet, none of these persons, such as Robert Atkinson, Gerald Bodisch, or Mark Cooper, are on the witness list.

DOJ Economic Analysis. On May 29, 2009, the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Antitrust Division released a paper by DOJ economist Gerald Bodisch titled "Economic Effects of State Bans on Direct Manufacturer Sales to Car Buyers".

The paper notes that GM and Chrysler "have received $17.4 billion in loans under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and have indicated that they may need up to an additional $21.6 billion in federal assistance to restructure their operations". Hence, there is a new focus on cost cutting.

The paper suggests that "direct manufacturer sales to car buyers may present an additional opportunity to lower distribution costs. Such sales might range from consumers' simply ordering assembled vehicles of their choice directly from automakers to a scenario along the lines of the ``Dell Direct´´ build-to-order model that revolutionized the personal computer production and sale process."

However, he also notes that while GM has successfully implemented a direct sales model in Brazil, in the U.S. "direct manufacturer auto sales are prohibited in almost every state by franchise laws requiring that new cars be sold only by dealers".

Moreover, "Analysis of the economic effects of these laws has led some to conclude that they harm consumers and should be eliminated." Bodisch's paper cites eight papers by other authors as support for this proposition.

This paper contains a footnote that states that "The views expressed herein are entirely those of the author and are not purported to reflect those of the" DOJ.

Revenge of the Disintermediated. Robert Atkinson, who is now head of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), previously worked at the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI). In January 2001, while at the PPI, he wrote a landmark paper [23 pages in PDF] titled "Revenge of the Disintermediated: How the Middleman is Fighting E-Commerce and Hurting Consumers".

He wrote that "Car dealers and their trade associations have fiercely resisted these new business models, and over the years have managed to get individual state legislatures to pass laws protecting their franchises. Automobile franchise laws prohibit manufacturer-owned auto dealers from selling cars in approximately 40 states. And direct sales of automobiles by manufacturers and online sellers without a franchise presence are prohibited in every state except Alaska."

Atkinson continued that "Likewise, in the past 12 months, car dealers in nine states, including Texas, have sought successfully to toughen state franchise laws, which make it virtually impossible for manufacturers to sell cars directly -- such as over the Internet -- rather than through locally franchised dealers. Auto dealers have succeeded in passing a host of other laws and regulations to protect themselves at the expense of consumers, including relevant market area laws that effectively prohibit new dealerships within a designated radius of an existing dealership selling the same make auto. Not only do these laws inhibit competition, they result in an enormously inefficient and high-cost distribution system."

"The National Automotive Dealers Association (NADA) claims that franchise laws are good for consumers. They protect consumer interests against unscrupulous manufacturers. Yet there is no evidence of this," wrote Atkinson.

See also, paper [11 pages in PDF] by Solveig Singleton (then of the Cato Institute) titled "Will the Net Turn Car Dealers into Dinosaurs? State Limits on Auto Sales Online", dated July 25, 2000, and paper [46 pages in PDF] by Mark Cooper (Consumer Federation of America) titled "A Roadblock on the Information Superhighway: Anticompetitive Restrictions on Automotive Markets".

Stearns Bill. In July of 2001, Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), the then Chairman of the House Commerce Committee's (HCC) Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, introduced HR 2421 (107th Congress), the "Jurisdictional Certainty Over Digital Commerce Act".

This bill would have provided a blanket preemption of numerous state laws protecting intermediaries from internet commerce. It provided that "No State or political subdivision thereof may enact or enforce any law, rule, regulation, standard, or other provision having the force or effect of law that regulates, or has the effect of regulating, digital commercial transactions."

States, and the interests that successfully lobbied the states, opposed it. Rep. Stearns' Subcommittee held one hearing. No action was taken on the bill. See, story titled "House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on State Impediments to E-Commerce" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 518, September 27, 2002.

6/2. The House Commerce Committee's (HCC) Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection will meet to mark up four bills on June 3, 2009, at 10:00 AM. The first item on the agenda is HR 2221 [LOC | WW], the "Data Accountability and Trust Act". See, notice.

Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL), the Subcommittee Chairman, introduced this bill on April 30, 2009. The original cosponsors are Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA).

The bill contains data breach notification requirement. It provides that "Any person engaged in interstate commerce that owns or possesses data in electronic form containing personal information shall, following the discovery of a breach of security of the system maintained by such person that contains such data ... notify each individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States whose personal information was acquired by an unauthorized person as a result of such a breach of security", and notify the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

This bill would also require the FTC to promulgate regulations mandating that "each person engaged in interstate commerce that owns or possesses data in electronic form containing personal information, or contracts to have any third party entity maintain such data for such person, to establish and implement policies and procedures regarding information security practices for the treatment and protection of personal information".

The bill would also require the FTC to conduct a study on the "destruction of obsolete paper documents and other non-electronic data containing personal information".

The bill would also require that each information brokers "shall establish reasonable procedures to verify the accuracy of the personal information it collects".

The bill would also require that each information broker shall provide "a means for the individual to review any personal information regarding such individual", allow each such individual to make a written request disputing the accuracy of any such information, and then correct inaccuracies.

The bill would also prohibit the practice of pretexting by information brokers.

In the wake of the Hewlett Packard pretexting scandal, the Congress criminalized pretexting to obtain confidential phone records. That prohibition was enacted in HR 4709 (106th Congress), the "Telephone Records and Privacy Act of 2006". This act was signed into law on January 12, 2007. It is now Public Law No. 109-476.

For more information on pretexting, see stories titled "Summary of Existing Federal Laws Related to Pretexting", "Federal Criminal Statutes Related to Pretexting", "Civil and Administrative Actions by Federal Agencies Related to Pretexting", "Federal Private Rights of Action Related to Pretexting", and "FCC License Revocation, Renewal and Transfer Proceedings" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,463, October 6, 2006. See also, stories titled "California Charges Patricia Dunn and Others With Four Felonies", "Cingular Sues Pretexting Firm Involved in HP Scandal", and "Verizon Wireless Files John Doe Complaint Against HP's Pretexters" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,462, October 5, 2006.

The mark up will take place in Room 2322 of the Rayburn Building.

6/2. Several persons praised President Obama's forthcoming renomination of Robert McDowell to be a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Robert McDowell (at left) has been in recent years the most free market oriented of the FCC Commissioners. He is perhaps best known for his recusal in the AT&T BellSouth antitrust merger review, and his opposition to the FCC's assertion of authority to regulate the network management practices of broadband service providers in its August 2008 Comcast order.

Sen. Kay Hutchison (R-TX), the ranking Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee (SCC), stated in a release that "Robert McDowell will provide continuity for many important issues on the FCC, including the upcoming digital television transition ... I look forward to working with Chairman Rockefeller to ensure that he receives a fair nomination hearing and is confirmed."

FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein stated in a release [PDF] that "Rob's hard work and outstanding performance as Commissioner for the past three years merit this renomination. A thoughtful and conscientious public servant, Rob strives tirelessly to be knowledgeable about the granular details of all the issues that come before the Commission and to be fair to all interested parties representing views across the spectrum. He has earned a reputation for having the utmost integrity, demonstrating collegiality during very challenging times, and adhering to the rule of law -- all the hallmarks of excellence for this position."

He added that "I consider Rob to be not just a colleague, but also a friend, and know that, if confirmed, he will continue to make great contributions to the work of the Commission."

Steve Largent, head of the CTIA, stated in a release that "Robert McDowell is an excellent choice to continue to serve as a FCC Commissioner. Since 2006, Mr. McDowell has clearly demonstrated his understanding and knowledge of the complexities of the telecommunications policy, and the unique attributes of the wireless industry.  On behalf of the wireless industry, I congratulate Mr. McDowell on his nomination, and we at CTIA look forward to continuing to work with him."

Susanne Guyer, Verizon SVP of Federal Regulatory Affairs, stated in a release that "Robert McDowell has shown a deep understanding of this industry and the role that market incentives play in stimulating both wireline and wireless broadband deployment. At this crucial time for broadband investment, jobs and the economy, there needs to be a full team of commissioners in place. So we hope Congress will act quickly to approve the nominees."

President Obama's announced his selection of Julius Genachowski to be FCC Chairman in January. That nomination remains pending in the Senate. His nomination of Mignon Clyburn for another Democratic seat on the FCC is also pending. President Obama has not yet nominated Meredith Baker, or anyone else, for the second Republican seat on the FCC. Jonathan Adelstein will leave the FCC. Michael Copps will remain as the third Democrat on the Commission.

6/2. George Canellos was named the Regional Director of the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) New York Regional Office. He previously worked in the New York City office of the law firm of Milbank Tweed. Before that, he worked in the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York. See, SEC release.

5/29. The American Antitrust Institute (AAI) announced changes to its Advisory Board, following the appointment of some members to the positions in the Obama administration. See, AAI release.

6/2. A grand jury of the U.S. District Court (WDMich) returned a two count indictment that charges Bradley J. Hansen, a former Superintendent of the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District (MAISD), with conspiracy to accept a bribe from a vendor and to deprive his former employer and the citizens of Michigan of his honest services, and obstruction of justice, in connection his employer's involvement in the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) fraud plagued e-rate tax and subsidy program. See, DOJ release.

6/2. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) released the results of its latest survey on computer and video games. It found that 68% of U.S. households play computer or video games, up from 65% in 2008. It further found that the average game player is 35 years old, and that 57% are male. See, ESA release.

6/2. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report [57 pages in PDF] titled "Information Technology: FDA Needs to Establish Key Plans and Processes for Guiding Systems Modernization Efforts".

6/2. The Telework Exchange (TE), which advocates teleworking, hosted an event in Washington DC at which it announced winners of it telework awards to state and federal agencies. It gave awards to, among others, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), and U.S. Navy. See TE release. The USPTO explained in a release that the participants in its Office of General Law Telework Program "receive the Enterprise Remote Access (ERA) equipment and the Nortel Multimedia Communication System (MCS) ... MCS performs as a digital telephony solution and as a collaboration tool for the Office of General Law (OGL) participating attorneys ... In-house clients contact the attorney at a USPTO phone number, and the teleworker receives the call through his or her laptop computer via voice-over Internet protocol (VOIP). OGL teleworkers are provided with a Webcam to conduct interviews, meetings, or informal discussions while working remotely."

6/1. The Supreme Court denied certiorari in Ninestar Technology v. ITC. See, Orders List [8 pages in PDF] at page 2. This lets stand the January 13, 2009, order [2 pages in PDF] of the U.S. Court of Appeals (FedCir), affirming the decision of the U.S. International Trade Commission in a Section 337 proceeding involving importation of printer cartridges. This case is Ninestar Technology Co., Ltd., et al. v. International Trade Commission, Epson Portland Inc., Epson America, Inc., and Seiko Epson Corporation, Supreme Court of the U.S., Sup. Ct. No. 08-1261, a petition for writ of certiorari to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, App. Ct. No. 2008-1201. See, Supreme Court docket.

6/1. The U.S. Court of Appeals (9thCir) issued an amended opinion [37 pages in PDF] in USA v. SDI Future Health, a case regarding the circumstances under which corporate executives can challenge under the 4th Amendment a search of company premises. See, story titled "9th Circuit Considers Employee 4th Amendment Challenges to Search of Company Premises" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,892, February 5, 2009. This case is USA v. SDI Future Health, Inc., Todd Stuart Kaplan, and Jack Brunk, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, App. Ct. No. 07-10261, an appeal from the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, D.C. No. CR-05-00078-PMP.

6/1. Gigi Sohn, head of the Public Knowledge (PK), stated in a release that Time Warner's new terms of service raise "serious questions about the company's commitment to an Internet free of discrimination". She asserted that the new terms of service put "its customers at risk if they use the Internet for services that may compete with Time Warner, such as video or telephone-like services". She also stated that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) "should conduct inquiries to determine the extent to which they hamper the free flow of information online and to which they are anticompetitive". The PK release does not state that the PK has filed a complaint with the FTC or FCC. Also, the FCC's "Search for Filed Comments" database lists no PK filing on June 1 or 2, 2009.

5/29. The U.S. Court of Appeals (8thCir) issued its opinion [9 pages in PDF] in CDI Engergy Services v. West River Pumps, an oil industry case based on diversity jurisdiction regarding state trade secret protection law. The Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court's denial of a motion for preliminary restraining order. This case is CDI Energy Services, Inc. v. West River Pumps, Inc., John Martinson, Dale Roller, and Kent Heinle, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, App. Ct. No. 08-1031, an appeal from the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota.

6/1. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (OUSTR) announced that USTR Ron Kirk and others will travel to St. Petersburg, Russia, to attend the International Economic Forum (IEF) on June 3-4, 2009. See, OUSTR release and IEF agenda.

5/26. The Securities and Exchange Commission (FCC) filed a civil complaint [23 pages in PDF] in U.S. District Court (NDCal) against Pegasus Wireless, Jasper Knabb, and Stephen Durland alleging violation of federal securities laws. This case is SEC v. Pegaus Wireless Corporation, et al., U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco Division, D.C. No. CV-09-2302.

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The House will meet at 10:00 AM for legislative business. The agenda includes numerous non-technology related items. See, Rep. Hoyer's schedule for week of June 1, and schedule for June 3.

The Senate will meet at 9:30 AM. It will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to HR 1256 [LOC | WW], the "Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act".

8:00 AM - 12:00 NOON. Day two of a two day closed meeting of the Defense Intelligence Agency's National Defense Intelligence College Board of Visitors. See, notice in the Federal Register, May 8, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 88, at Page 21666.

8:30 AM - 1:00 PM. Day two of a two day meeting of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Advisory Committee for Cyberinfrastructure. See, notice in the Federal Register, May 5, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 85, at Page 20741. Location: NSF, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Room 1235, Arlington, VA.

9:30 AM. The House Judiciary Committee's (HJC) Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy will hold a hearing titled "Pay to Delay: Are Patent Settlements That Delay Generic Drug Market Entry Anticompetitive?". See, notice. The HJC will webcast this event. Location: Room 2141, Rayburn Building.

9:30 AM. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will hold an event titled "Open Meeting". Location: FCC, Room TW-C305, 445 12th St., NW.

10:00 AM. The House Commerce Committee's (HCC) Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection will meet to mark up four bills. The first item on the agenda is HR 2221 [LOC | WW], the "Data Accountability and Trust Act". See, notice. Location: Room 2322, Rayburn Building.

10:00 AM. The Senate Judiciary Committee (SJC) will hold a hearing on S 424 [LOC | WW] and HR 1024 [LOC | WW], the "The Uniting American Families Act: Addressing Inequality in Federal Immigration Law". The House Judiciary Committee (HJC) has yet to hold a hearing on this bill. See, notice. Location: Room 226, Dirksen Building.

2:00 - 3:00 PM. The Heritage Foundation will host a panel discussion titled "Unfair Government Competition: A Threat to the U.S. Economy". The speakers will include Sen. John Thune (R-SD) and Rep. John Duncan (R-TN). See, notice. Location: Heritage, 214 Massachusetts Ave., NE.

2:30 PM. The Senate Commerce Committee (SCC) will hold a hearing titled "GM And Chrysler Dealership Closures: Protecting Dealers And Consumers". The witnesses will be Fritz Henderson (CEO of General Motors Corporation), James Press (President of Chrysler), John McEleney (Chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association), Russell Whatley (Owner/Dealer, Russell Whatley Motor Company), and Pete Lopez (P/CEO of Spencer Auto Group). See, notice. Location: Room 253, Russell Building.

Day three of a four day conference titled "Computers, Freedom, and Privacy 2009". See, conference web site. Location: Marvin Center, George Washington University.

The House will meet at 10:00 AM for legislative business. The agenda for the week includes numerous non-technology related items. See, Rep. Hoyer's schedule for week of June 1.

9:30 AM. The Senate Appropriations Committee's (SAC) Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science will hold a hearing on appropriations for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The witness will be FBI Director Robert Mueller. Location: Room 192, Dirksen Building. The Subcommittee will then meeting in closed session in Room SVC-217.

10:00 AM. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will meet to mark up several bills, including HR 2392 [LOC | WW], the "The Government Information Transparency Act". See, notice. Location: Room 2154, Rayburn Building.

10:00 AM. The Senate Judiciary Committee (SJC) will hold an executive business meeting. The agenda yet again includes consideration of S 417 [LOC | WW], the "States Secret Protection Act", and HR 985 [LOC | WW] and S 448 [LOC | WW], both titled the "Free Flow of Information Act of 2009". See, stories titled "Senate Judiciary Committee to Consider State Secrets Bill" and "9th Circuit Rules in State Secrets Case" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,933, April 29, 2009. The agenda also again includes consideration of the nominations of David Hamilton to be a Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals (6thCir), Andre Davis to be a Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals (4thCir), and Thomas Perez to be Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Rights Division. The SJC rarely follows its published agendas. See, notice. Location: Room 226, Dirksen Building.

10:00 AM. The House Commerce Committee's (HCC) Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing titled "Commercial Sales Of Military Technologies". Location: Room 2322, Rayburn Building.

10:00 AM. The House Commerce Committee's (HCC) Subcommitte on Communications, Technology and the Internet will hold an oversight hearing on the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Location: Room 2123, Rayburn Building.

10:00 AM. The House Small Business Committee will hold a hearing titled "Legislative Initiatives to Strengthen and Modernize the SBIR and STTR Programs". SBIR is the Small Business Innovation Research program. STTR is the Small Business Technology Transfer program. Location: Room 2360, Rayburn Building.

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) Online Safety and Technology Working Group (OSTWG) will hold its organizational meeting. The OSTWG was created by Section 214 of S 1492 [LOC | WW]. Part I of this bill is the "Broadband Data Improvement Act"; Part II is the "Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act". It is now Public Law No. 110-385. See, story titled "NTIA Seeks Members for Online Safety and Technology Working Group" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,863, November 25, 2008. See also, notice in the Federal Register, May 21, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 97, at Page 23846. Location: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th St., SW.

11:00 AM. The House Judiciary Committee's (HJC) Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law will hold a hearing on HR 1508 [LOC | WW], the "Sunshine in Litigation Act of 2009". See, notice. The HJC will webcast this event. Location: Room 2237, Rayburn Building.

Tom Tauke (Verizon's EVP of Public Affairs, Policy and Communications) will host a media briefing and Q&A. Box lunches will be served. For more information, contact David Fish at 202-515-2514 or david dot m dot fish at verizon dot com.

2:00 PM. The House Judiciary Committee's (HJC) Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties will hold a hearing on HR 984 [LOC | WW], the "States Secret Protection Act". See, notice. The HJC will webcast this event. Location: Room 2141, Rayburn Building.

2:30 PM. The Senate Appropriations Committee's (SAC) Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch will hold a hearing on appropriations for the Library of Congress. Location: Room 138, Dirksen Building.

2:30 PM. The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Bureau of Economics (BOE) will host an untitled seminar by Devin Pope (University of Pennsylvania) He is an economist, and author of the paper titled "The Effect of the Internet on Matching Markets: Evidence from Craigslist". Location: FTC Conference Center, 601 New Jersey Ave., NW.

Day four of a four day conference titled "Computers, Freedom, and Privacy 2009". See, conference web site. Location: Marvin Center, George Washington University.

Day one of a two day meeting of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Services Division's Advisory Policy Board. This Division administers the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System, the Interstate Identification Index, Law Enforcement Online, National Crime Information Center, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, the National Incident-Based Reporting System, Law Enforcement National Data Exchange, and Uniform Crime Reporting. See, notice in the Federal Register, April 15, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 71, at Page 17524. Location: Gaylord National, 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD.

Deadline to submit oppositions to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to the petitions for partial reconsideration of the FCC's Second Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration (also know as the second internet based TRS order) filed by the Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc. and the TDI Coalition, and by GoAmerica, Inc. The FCC adopted and released this second internet based TRS order [47 pages in PDF] on December 19, 2008. It is FCC 08-275 in CG Docket No. 03-123 and WC Docket No. 05-196. See, notice in the Federal Register, May 20, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 96, at Pages 23715-23716.

Deadline to submit initial comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to the FCC's notice regarding the National Exchange Carrier Association's (NECA) proposed compensation rates for interstate traditional telecommunications relay service (TRS), interstate Speech-to-Speech (STS) relay service, interstate captioned telephone service (CTS) and interstate and intrastate Internet Protocol (IP) captioned telephone service (IP CTS), interstate and intrastate IP Relay, and interstate and intrastate Video Relay Service (VRS). This is also the deadline to submit initial comments in response to the proposed carrier contribution factor and funding requirement for the Interstate TRS Fund. This item is FCC 09-39 in CG Docket No. 03-123 and WC Docket No. 05-196. See, notice in the Federal Register, May 21, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 97, at Pages 23859-23860.

Deadline to submit initial comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking whether or not it should adopt new Video Relay Service (VRS) reimbursement rates that reflect the cost data in the fund administrator's recent filing with the FCC, rather than continuing the current rates. This item is FCC 09-39 in CG Docket 03-123. See, notice in the Federal Register, May 21, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 97, at Pages 23815-23816.

Deadline to submit initial comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order [63 pages in PDF] regarding revising the FCC's Schedule of Regulatory Fees. The FCC adopted this item on May 11, 2009, and released the text on May 14. It is FCC 09-38 in MD Docket No. 09-65. See also, notice in the Federal Register, June 2, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 104, at Pages 26329-26360.

The House may meet at 9:00 AM for legislative business. The agenda for the week includes numerous non-technology related items. See, Rep. Hoyer's schedule for week of June 1.

10:00 AM. The Senate Finance Committee (SFC) will hold a hearing on the nomination of Miriam Sapiro to be Deputy U.S. Trade Representative. See, notice. Location: Room 215, Dirksen Building.

12:00 NOON - 2:00 PM. The Free State Foundation (FSF) will host a lunch titled "Broadband Nation: Where Does the U.S. Really Stand in the World Rankings?". The speakers will be David Gross (Wiley Rein), Rob Atkinson (Information Technology and Innovation Foundation), Link Hoewing (Verizon), and Christopher McCabe (CTIA). RSVP to Susan Reichbart at sreichbart at freestatefoundation dot org. Location: Congressional Meeting Room North, Capitol Visitor Center.

Day two of a two day meeting of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Services Division's Advisory Policy Board. This Division administers the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System, the Interstate Identification Index, Law Enforcement Online, National Crime Information Center, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, the National Incident-Based Reporting System, Law Enforcement National Data Exchange, and Uniform Crime Reporting. See, notice in the Federal Register, April 15, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 71, at Page 17524. Location: Gaylord National, 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD.

Day one of a five day event hosted by the Federation Internationale Des Conseils En Propriete Industrielle (FICPI) titled "World Congress". This event is open to FICPI members only. See, conference brochure [PDF]. Location: JW Marriott.

Day two of a five day event hosted by the Federation Internationale Des Conseils En Propriete Industrielle (FICPI) titled "World Congress". This event is open to FICPI members only. See, conference brochure [PDF]. Location: JW Marriott.

9:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Day one of a two day event hosted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) titled "2009 Software Developers Conference". See, notice in the Federal Register, April 27, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 79, at Page 19124. Location: Marriott Crystal Gateway Hotel, 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.

10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals (FedCir) will hear oral argument in Sky Technologies v. SAP, App. Ct. No. 2008-1606. Location: Courtroom 201.

Day three of a five day event hosted by the Federation Internationale Des Conseils En Propriete Industrielle (FICPI) titled "World Congress". This event is open to FICPI members only. See, conference brochure [PDF]. Location: JW Marriott.

Deadline to submit reply comments to the Copyright Royalty Judges (CRJ) in response to its Notice of Inquiry (NOI) regarding "the costs of census versus sample reporting to assist the Judges in the revision of the interim regulations for filing notices of use and the delivery of records of use of sound recordings under two statutory licenses of the Copyright Act". See, notice in the Federal Register, April 8, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 66, at Pages 15901-15904. See also, the CRJ's notice in the Federal Register regarding its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), Federal Register, December 30, 2008, Vol. 73, No. 250, at Pages 79727-79734, and the CRJ's web page with hyperlinks to the comments submitted in response to the NPRM.

Deadline to submit initial comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to its Notice of Inquiry [59 pages in PDF] regarding the drafting of a "national broadband plan", as required by Section 6001(k) of HR 1 [LOC | WW], the huge spending bill passed by the Congress in February. See also, "Broadband Plan Statute: Public Law No. 111-5, § 6001(k)" and stories titled "FCC Releases NOI on Broadband Plan" and "Additional Questions Asked by FCC's Broadband Plan Notice of Inquiry" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,924, April 11, 2009. This NOI is FCC 09-31 in Docket No. GN 09-51.

Deadline to submit comments to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in response to its notice of inquiry (NOI) regarding the September 30, 2009, expiration of the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) between the NTIA and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). There are hyperlinks to the original JPA and its amendments and modifications ICANN web page titled "ICANN's Major Agreements and Related Reports". See, notice in the Federal Register, April 24, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 78, at Pages 18688-18690.

Deadline to submit applications to the Department of State's (DOS) Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs' (BECA) Office of English Language Programs for grants under its E-Teacher Scholarship Program and Professional Development Workshop. The DOS will give $750,000 in grants to universities to teach English via the internet to persons in other countries. See, notice in the Federal Register, April 24, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 78, at Pages 18786-18792.

Deadline to submit applications to the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Privacy Office for appointment to the DHS Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee. See, notice in the Federal Register, May 5, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 85, at Pages 20718-20719.

Deadline to submit reply comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the petition for extension of waiver filed by AT&T and Sprint Nextel requesting a one year extension of the current waiver of the FCC's rules to the extent that provision requires TRS providers providing relay service via the PSTN or a TTY to automatically and immediately call an appropriate PSAP when receiving an emergency 711-dialed call placed by an interconnected VOIP user. See, FCC Public Notice of April 1, 2009 (DA 09-749), and notice in the Federal Register, May 7, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 87, at Pages 21364-21366. This relates to WC Docket No. 04-36, CG Docket No. 03-123, WT Docket No. 96-198 and CC Docket No. 92-105

8:30 AM - 5:00 PM. Day one of a two day meeting of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology (VCAT). The agenda includes a discussion of documentary standards and health care information technology. See, notice in the Federal Register: May 15, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 93, at Page 22887. Location: Employees Lounge, Administration Building, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD.

9:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Day two of a two day event hosted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) titled "2009 Software Developers Conference". See, notice in the Federal Register, April 27, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 79, at Page 19124. Location: Marriott Crystal Gateway Hotel, 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.

9:00 AM. The Department of Commerce's (DOC) Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS) Regulations and Procedures Technical Advisory Committee (RPTAC) will hold a partially closed meeting. See, notice in the Federal Register, May 26, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 98, at Page 23998. Location: Room 3884, Hoover Building, 14th St. NW, between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues.

9:00 - 11:00 AM. The Heritage Foundation will host an event titled "The Taiwan Relations Act's Enduring Legacy on Capitol Hill". See, notice. Location: Heritage, 214 Massachusetts Ave., NE.

10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals (FedCir) will hear oral argument in ResQNet.com v. Lansa, App. Ct. No. 2008-1365. Location: Courtroom 201.

2:00 - 3:30 PM. The Department of Justice's (DOJ) Antitrust Division will host a seminar conducted by Cory Capps (Bates White) on his paper titled "Antitrust Treatment of Nonprofits". Capps is an economist who focuses on the health care sector. To request permission to attend, contact Patrick Greenlee at 202-307-3745 or atr dot eag at usdoj dot gov. Location: Bicentennial Building, 600 E St., NW.

Day one of a two day event titled "World Copyright Summit". See, conference web site. Location: Ronald Reagan Center.

Day four of a five day event hosted by the Federation Internationale Des Conseils En Propriete Industrielle (FICPI) titled "World Congress". This event is open to FICPI members only. See, conference brochure [PDF]. Location: JW Marriott.

8:30 - 11:45 AM. Day two of a two day meeting of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology (VCAT). The agenda includes a discussion of documentary standards and health care information technology. See, notice in the Federal Register: May 15, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 93, at Page 22887. Location: Employees Lounge, Administration Building, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD.

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Privacy Office will host a public workshop titled "Privacy Compliance Fundamentals -- PTAs, PIAs, and SORNs". See, notice in the Federal Register, May 26, 2009, Vol. 74, No. 99, at Pages 24864-24865. Location: auditorium, GSA Regional Headquarters Building, 7th and D Streets, SW.

10:00 AM - 12:00 NOON. The House Science Committee's (HSC) Subcommittee on Research and Science Education will hold a hearing titled "Cyber Security R&D". The witnesses will be Seymour Goodman (Georgia Institute of Technology), Liesyl Franz (TechAmerica), Anita D'Amico (Applied Visions, Inc.), Fred Schneider (Cornell University), and Timothy Brown (CA Security Management). The HSC will webcast this event. See, notice. Location: Room 2318, Rayburn Building.

12:00 NOON. The Cato Institute will host a panel discussion titled "Who Are the Real Free Traders in Congress?". The speakers will include Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Daniel Griswold (Cato). See, notice and registration page. Lunch will be served. Location: Room 608, Dirksen Building.

12:00 NOON - 3:00 PM. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will host a public seminar regarding compliance with its new rules requiring that financial reports be filed using XBRL. See, notice. Location: SEC, Room L-002, 100 F St., NW.

5:30 - 7:30 PM. TechAmerica will host an event titled "Annual Technology for Government Reception". The speakers will include Vint Cerf. Prices vary. Location: Mayflower Hotel.

Day five of a five day event hosted by the Federation Internationale Des Conseils En Propriete Industrielle (FICPI) titled "World Congress". This event is open to FICPI members only. See, conference brochure [PDF]. Location: JW Marriott.