4/11. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA) released a report [76 pages in PDF] titled "Intellectual Property and the U.S. Economy: Industries in Focus".

This report states that "Direct employment in the subset of most IP-intensive industries identified in this report amounted to 27.1 million jobs in 2010, while indirect activities associated with these industries provided an additional 12.9 million jobs throughout the economy in 2010, for a total of 40.0 million jobs, or 27.7 percent of all jobs in the economy."

It also states that IP-intensive industries contributed $5.06 Trillion to the US economy, or 34.8 percent of GDP in 2010.

David Kappos (at right), head of the USPTO, stated in a release that announces and summarizes this report, that "America needs to continue investing in a high quality and appropriately balanced intellectual property system that will promote innovative, open, and competitive markets while helping to ensure that the U.S. private sector remains America's innovation engine."

This report also states that "Innovation -- the process through which new ideas are generated and successfully introduced in the marketplace -- is a primary driver of U.S. economic growth and national competitiveness. Likewise, U.S. companies’ use of trademarks to distinguish their goods and services from those of competitors represents an additional support for innovation, enabling firms to capture market share, which contributes to growth in our economy. The granting and protection of intellectual property rights is vital to promoting innovation and creativity and is an essential element of our free-enterprise, market-based system." (Footnote omitted.)

This report is not mandated by statute.

Previously, the International Intellectual Property Association (IIPA) released similar reports that addressed the contribution of the copyright industries, but not patent industries, to the U.S. economy. See for example, report [29 pages in PDF] titled "Copyright Industries in the U.S. Economy: The 2003-2007 Report", released in July 2009, and story titled "IIPA Report Estimates Contribution of Copyright Industries to US Economy" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,972, July 20, 2009. The author of those reports is Stephen Siwek of Economists Incorporated.

The just released USPTO/ESA report acknowledges and thanks many persons in government, and Stephen Siwek.

The IIPA stated in a release that the just released report "confirms and expands on the conclusions of a series of economic studies released by the" IIPA.

In addition, the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has commissioned countervailing studies on the contribution of fair use to the U.S. economy. See for example, 2011 CCIA report [36 pages in PDF] titled "Economic Contribution of Industries Relying on Fair Use", and story titled "CCIA Releases Report on Importance of Fair Use to U.S. Economy" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 2,259, July 15, 2011.

4/10. The CTIA announced in a release that certain wireless service providers will take coordinated action "to help deter smartphone thefts and protect consumer data".

The gist of the program is the creation of integrated databases of unique identifiers of mobile communications devices reported as stolen, by participating wireless service providers, combined with a commitment by such providers to not provide service to the unique identifiers associated with devices reported as stolen.

Neither the CTIA, nor others, released the text of any agreement.

The CTIA stated in a release that "Wireless providers will work to initiate, implement and deploy database solutions, using unique smartphone identifying numbers, designed to prevent smartphones reported by their customers as stolen from being activated and/or provided service on their own networks".

This release elaborates that by October 31, 2012, US GSM providers will implement this database so that GSM smart phones reported as stolen will not work on any US GSM network. Also, by November 30, 2013, US LTE providers will create a common database for LTE smart phones.

Also, by April 30, 2013, smart phone makers "will implement a system to notify/inform users via the new smartphones upon activation or soon after of its capability of being locked and secured from unauthorized access by setting a password".

Also, wireless service providers "will inform consumers, using communications including email or text messages, about the existence of -- and access to -- applications that can lock/locate/erase data from smartphones."

Finally, the CTIA release states that the industry will engage in consumer education efforts.

The CTIA announcement lacks many details about this program.

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) issued a release with some more specifics. It states that "major cell phone carriers in the United States ... have agreed ... to set up an integrated database of unique cell phone identifiers, known as International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, to allow cell phone companies to permanently disable stolen cell phones."

It adds that "stolen phones, like the iPhone and Android phones, are easily resold on the black market because they use SIM card technology".

It explains that under the just announced program, "carriers in the United States will no longer just deactivate SIM cards, which store a user's account information, but instead, they will deactivate the actual handheld device, using the phone's individual IMEI number. IMEI numbers are unique to the actual handheld device similar to a vehicle VIN number and can be found usually in battery compartments of phones".

This release also states that Sen. Schumer (at right) will introduce a bill in the Senate that would "make it a federal crime to tamper or alter a cell phone IMEI numbers in order to activate a stolen phone. Schumer's legislation will be modeled on similar federal statutes with respect to VIN numbers on automobiles. Anyone convicted of tampering with or altering the IMEI number on a cell phone could face a maximum of five years in prison."

Also, a CTIA spokesman told TLJ that "The databases will be made interoperable with appropriate international stolen smartphone databases."

Kathleen Grillo, Verizon Wireless SVP for federal regulatory relations, stated in a release that "Verizon Wireless has a long-standing commitment to protect our customers if their mobile device is stolen, including such resources as an internal system that does not allow devices reported as stolen to be activated on the Verizon Wireless network. We support the broader, industry-wide solutions announced today. We will work with policymakers and collaborate with other providers, device manufacturers, and application and software developers, to increase consumer protections and to empower consumers with additional resources to help ensure stolen devices cannot be used or accessed illegally."

AT&T's Jim Bugle stated in a release that "We have been working with carriers, manufacturers, OS providers, governments and law enforcement for some time now on finding a comprehensive solution that helps the law enforcement community do their job but that wireless carriers are able to quickly implement from a technical standpoint".

FCC Role. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) hosted an event for the announcement of this industry initiative on April 10.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski did not assert that the FCC possesses any statutory authority to regulate service providers or equipment manufacturers for the purpose of deterring smart phone theft.

Nor did he propose a rulemaking proceeding at this time. However, the FCC issued a release that states that "The FCC will launch a proceeding if progress on the above deliverables falls behind schedule".

Genachowski discussed the problem, praised the industry initiative, credited individual companies, and announced governmental involvement in, and approval of, this collaboration among competitors.

He stated in a short speech that "In DC, New York and other major cities, roughly 40% of all robberies now involve cell phones -- endangering both the physical safety of victims and the safety of the personal information on stolen devices".

He added that "The Major Cities Police Chiefs Association, representing more than 60 U.S. cities, serving 76 million people, and headed by Commissioner Ramsey, issued a declaration calling for action. They all said: This is a real problem; we need a solution."

He commended the "CTIA and the wireless companies including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Nex-Tech Wireless for their commitment to these steps." He also thanked "equipment manufacturers and operating system developers, Apple, Motorola, Qualcomm, HTC, Microsoft, Nokia, and RIM, for being part of this solution."

Legislative Activity. This industry announcement follows the commencement of legislative actions directed at imposing a regulatory framework for deterring smart phone theft and data loss.

On March 22, 2012, Rep. Eliot Engel and others introduced HR 4247 [LOC | WW], the "Cell Phone Theft Prevention Act of 2012", a bill that would require service providers to not provide service to a stolen phone. See, story titled "House Democrats Introduce Bill to Enable Service Blacklisting and Data Erasure for Stolen Mobile Devices" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 2,356, March 25, 2012.

On March 23 Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) sent similar letters to communications carriers, handset manufacturers, and operating system developers regarding what they are doing, or could be doing, to combat rising theft of smart phones, and protect consumers from theft of personal and financial information. See for example, letter to Apple. See also, story titled "House Commerce Committee Democrats Question Companies Regarding Smart Phone Theft" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 2,356, March 25, 2012.

Rep. Eshoo and Rep. Markey issued a release on April 10 praising this industry announcement.

Commentary. Wireless service providers already know how to terminate service to their own customers. This just announced program would enable termination of service to devices, and across all participating service providers.

Thus, once the just announced program is implemented, a thief, or subsequent purchaser of a stolen device, would not be able to obtain service, not only for the lawful owner's service provider, but from any participating service provider.

However, thieves, and downstream purchasers in the illegal market for stolen devices, might still acquire wireless service for stolen devices. First, they might acquire service by changing the device's unique identifier, thereby rendering the system incapable of identifying it as a stolen device.

Second, they might obtain service from non-participating service providers. For example, stolen devices might be exported abroad, and resold, in locations where service providers are not participating in any program for the termination of service to stolen US devices.

To the extent that such options remain viable, the deterrent impact of the just announced program would be diminished.

Also, hypothetically, the mission of this just announced program could be expanded to limiting activities other than theft, such as termination of service to devices alleged to be used for unauthorized access to computer systems, for infringing activity, or for other illegal purposes.

4/6. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a tentative agenda for its event titled "Open Meeting", scheduled for Friday, April 27, 2012. This agenda contains five items.

Cramming. The FCC is scheduled to approve a Report and Order (R&O) and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) regarding the common practice of cramming -- the placement of unauthorized charges on consumers' telephone bills.

On July 12, 2011, the FCC adopted and released a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) [48 pages in PDF]. It is FCC 11-106 in CG Docket Nos. 11-116 and 09-158, and CC Docket No. 98-170. See also, story titled "FCC Adopts Cramming NPRM" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 2,258, July 14, 2011.

However, the proposed rules in the July 2011 NPRM would only impose minimal new requirements on carriers. First, this NPRM does not propose either to prohibit third party charges on carriers' phone bills, or to require that consumers be given the option to block all third party charges.

Rather, this NPRM merely proposes to tinker with the arrangement of bills, and notices contained in bills. It proposes that FCC's rules be amended to provide that "Where charges for two or more carriers appear on the same telephone bill, the charges must be separated by service provider."

The Senate Commerce Committee (SCC) held a hearing on cramming on July 13, 2011. See, story titled "Senate Commerce Committee Holds Hearing on Phone Bill Cramming" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 2,258, July 14, 2011.

Broadcast Regulation. The FCC is scheduled to approve a R&O that would increase the regulatory burdens on broadcasters to disclose information about their operations. See, MM Docket No. 00-168 and MM Docket No. 00-44.

This R&O may adopt rules that implement some of the recommendations contained in the July 2011 FCC paper [468 pages in PDF] titled "Information Needs of Communities" written by Steven Waldman, who now works for the Columbia Journalism School.

Also, on April 20, at 12:15 PM, the New America Foundation (NAF) will host a panel discussion by proponents of new rules. The speakers will be Michael Calabrese (NAF), Steven Waldman (Columbia Journalism School), Corie Wright (Free Press), Harold Feld (Public Knowledge), and Kathy Kiely (Sunlight Foundation).

Other Items. The FCC's tentative agenda states that the FCC is scheduled to adopt a NPRM regarding "whether to allow noncommercial educational broadcast stations to conduct on-air fundraising activities that interrupt regular programming for the benefit of third-party non-profit organizations".

The FCC is scheduled to adopt a R&O that contains rules "for channel sharing among television licensees in connection with an incentive auction of spectrum".

The FCC is also scheduled to adopt a FNPRM regarding how universal service taxes are assessed and collected.

This event is scheduled for Friday, April 27, 2012, at 11:00 AM at the FCC headquarters, Room TW-C305, 445 12th Street, SW.

4/12. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced the agenda and speakers for its April 26, 2012, event titled "Paper, Plastic ... or Mobile? An FTC Workshop on Mobile Payments". See, notice.

4/11. Larry Strickling, head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), gave a speech at the Hudson Institute regarding the "Obama Administration’s blueprint to protect consumer data privacy".

4/11. The U.S. Court of Appeals (9thCir) issued its en banc opinion [PDF] in U.S. v. Nosal, construing the meaning of the term "exceeds authorized access" in the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA).

4/11. FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn gave a speech at Catholic University's 2012 Telecommunications Symposium

4/11. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) traveled to Hoboken, New Jersey, on April 11, to talk about mobile apps, and spurring high tech job growth, as if their brief presence could create jobs in Hoboken. See, Sen. Lautenberg's release, FCC's release, and Genachowski's speech.

4/10. The National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Computer Security Division (CSD) released its proposed revisions [4 pages in PDF] to its June 2009 FIPS 186-3 [130 pages in PDF] titled "Digital Signature Standard". The deadline to submit comments is May 25, 2012. See also, notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 77, No. 69, Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at Pages 21538-21539.

4/4. The National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Computer Security Division (CSD) released its draft NIST IR 7511 Rev. 3.01.165 [47 pages in PDF] titled "Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP) Version 1.0 Validation Program Test Requirements". The deadline to submit comments is April 20, 2012.

The House will not meet on the week of Monday, April 2, through Friday, April 6, or on the week of Monday, April 9, through Friday, April 13, except for pro forma sessions.

The Senate will not meet on the week of Monday, April 2, through Friday, April 6, or on the week of Monday, April 9, through Friday, April 13, except for pro forma sessions.

RESCHEDULED FROM MARCH 30. 12:00 NOON - 1:00 PM. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Robert McDowell will speak. Free. Brown bag lunch. The FCBA states that this is an FCBA event of its Young Lawyers Committee. Location: FCC, 8th floor South Conference Room, 445 12th St., SW.

Deadline to submit initial comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) [14 pages in PDF] regarding allowing Economic Area (EA) based 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) licensees to exceed a channel spacing and bandwidth limitation. The FCC adopted this NPRM on March 7, 2012, and released the text on March 9. It is FCC 12-25 in WT Docket No. 12-64; WT Docket No. 11-110. See, notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 77, No. 61, Thursday, March 29, 2012, at Pages 18991-18996.

Passover ends at sundown.

The House will return from its two week recess at 12:00 NOON. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 PM.

The Senate will return from its two week recess. It will resume consideration of S 2230 [LOC | WW], a tax bill.

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. The American Bar Association (ABA) will host a conference titled "Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Annual Spring Program 2012". The price to attend ranges from $75 to $450. See, notice. Location: Pepco Holdings, 701 9th St., NW.

8:30 AM - 5:00 PM. The Department of Commerce's (DOC) Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS) Emerging Technology and Research Advisory Committee (ETRAC) will hold a closed meeting. The BIS agenda for this meeting is undisclosed. See, notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 77, No. 62, Friday, March 30, 2012, at Page 19179. Location: Room 6527, DOC Hoover Building, 14th Street between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues, NW.

1:00 - 2:00 PM. The American Bar Association (ABA) will host an on site and telecast panel discussion titled "Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation: Cross Border Privacy Rules Introduction And Spotlight on Canada". The speakers will be Daniele Chatelois (Canadian government's Industry Canada) and Josh Harris (U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Technology and Electronic Commerce). Free. No CLE credits. See, notice. Location: Fulbright & Jaworski, 801 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.

1:00 - 2:30 PM. The Heritage Foundation will host a speech by Shintaro Ishihara (Governor of Tokyo) and panel discussion titled "The U.S.-Japan Alliance and the Debate Over Japan's Role in Asia". The other speakers will be Richard Lawless (former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs), James Auer (Vanderbilt University), and Walter Lohman (Heritage). See, notice. Location: Heritage, 214 Massachusetts Ave., NE.

TIME? The American Bar Association (ABA) will host a telecast panel discussion titled "Legal Issues Stemming from the Impending Shortage of Wireless Spectrum". The speakers will be Tarak Anada (Jones Walker), Babette Boliek (Pepperdine University School of Law), Michael Goggin (AT&T Mobility), and Daniel Brenner (Hogan Lovells). Different ABA notices provide different times. One states 3:00 - 4:00 PM. The other states 4:00 - 5:00 PM. See, notice.

The Executive Office of the President's (EOP) President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) will hold a partially closed meeting. The agenda includes a discussion of a report on the PCAST's Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP). The public portion of the meeting will be teleconferenced from 4:30 - 5:00 PM. The deadline to register to register is 12:00 NOON on April 12. See, notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 77, No. 60, Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at Pages 18798-18799.

5:00 PM. Deadline to submit comments to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (OUSTR) following its March 29 hearing to assist it in preparing its 2011 Annual GSP Product Review. See, original notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 77, No. 34, Tuesday, February 21, 2012, at Pages 10034-10036. See also, notice of change of date in the Federal Register, Vol. 77, No. 52, Friday, March 16, 2012, at Page 15841.

8:30 AM - 3:30 PM. The Department of Commerce's (DOC) Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS) Emerging Technology and Research Advisory Committee (ETRAC) will hold an open meeting. The agenda for this meeting includes a discussion of "Nanotechnology--Nanocoated Materials". See, notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 77, No. 62, Friday, March 30, 2012, at Page 19179. Nanocoating has many applications in ICT, including protecting electronics devices from moisture caused corrosion, producing flat panel displays, and adding antireflection coating to optical products. Location: Room 3884, DOC Hoover Building, 14th Street between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues, NW.

1:00 - 2:30 PM. The American Bar Association (ABA) will host a webcast and telecast panel discussion titled "The New World of Licensing Songs and Sound Recordings". The speakers will be Jeff Brabec (BMG Chrysalis), Todd Brabec, Henny Root (Lapidus Root). Prices vary. CLE credits. See, notice.

1:30 - 4:30 PM. The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC) will meet. See, notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 77, No. 62, Friday, March 30, 2012, at Pages 19300-19301. Location: 1310 N. Courthouse Road, Suite 300, Arlington, VA.

2:30 PM. The Senate Intelligence Committee (SIC) will hold a closed meeting. See, notice. Location: Room 219, Hart Building.

6:00 - 9:15 PM. The DC Bar Association will host the first part of a two part program titled "Preserving Intellectual Property Rights in Gov't Contracts". This first part is subtitled "A Beginner's Guide". The speakers will be David Bloch (Winston & Strawn), Richard Gray (Department of Defense), John Lucas (Department of Energy), and James McEwen (Stein McEwen). The price to attend this part ranges from $89 to $129. CLE credits. See, notice. For more information, call 202-626-3488. The DC Bar has a history of barring reporters from its events. Location: DC Bar Conference Center, 1101 K St., NW.

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. The Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology's (ONCHIT) HIT Standards Committee will meet. See, notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 77, No. 52, Friday, March 16, 2012, at Page 15760. Location: Renaissance Hotel, 999 9th St., NW.

10:00 AM. The Senate Judiciary Committee (SJC) will hold a hearing titled "Nominations to the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board". The witnesses will be the five nominees: James Dempsey (CDT), Elisebeth Cook, Rachel Brand, David Medine, and Patricia Wald. See, notice. See also, story titled "Obama to Nominate Dempsey and Cook to Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 2,181, December 17, 2010, and August 25, 2001 letter of the ACLU, EPIC and others. The SJC will webcast this hearing. Location: Room 226, Dirksen Building.

11:15 AM. The House Judiciary Committee's (HJC) Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement will hold a hearing titled "Document Fraud in Employment Authorization: How an E-Verify Requirement Can Help". See, HJC notice. See also, story titled "Rep. Lamar Smith Seeks Passage of E-Verify Bill" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 2,337, February 15, 2012. Location: Room 2141, Rayburn Building.

12:00 NOON - 1:15 PM. The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) will host a panel discussion titled "Internet Platform Competition and Market Convergence". The speakers will be Richard Bennett (ITIF), Anna-Marie Kovacs (Georgetown University), and Jonathan Sallet (O'Melveny & Myers). Location: Room B-318, Rayburn Building.

12:30 - 2:00 PM. The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) will host a webcast presentation titled "Are You the Weakest Link?  Making Certain that In-House and Outside Counsel Protect Their Client’s Trade Secrets". The speakers will be Mark Halligan (Nixon Peabody) and Janet Craycroft (Intel Corporation). CLE credits. CD, MP4 download, archived webcast, and other formats available. Prices vary. See, registration page.

1:00 - 2:30 PM. The American Bar Association (ABA) will host a audio webcast and telecast panel discussion titled "Remote Sales Tax and Nexus Issues: The Latest on Taxation of Internet Sales". The speakers will be Edward Bernert (Baker & Hostetler), George Isaacson (Brann & Isaacson), and Bruce Johnson (Utah State Tax Commission). Prices vary. CLE credits. See, notice.

2:00 PM. The House Science Committee's (HSC) Subcommittee on on Technology and Innovation will hold a hearing titled "Avoiding the Spectrum Crunch: Growing the Wireless Economy through Innovation". The witnesses will be Richard Bennett (Information Technology and Innovation Foundation), Mary Brown (Cisco Systems), Christopher McCabe (CTIA), Rangam Subramanian (Idaho National Laboratory), and James Olthoff (NIST). The HSC will webcast this event. See, notice. Location: Room 2318, Rayburn Building.

2:00 PM. The House Homeland Security Committee's (HHSC) Subcommittee on Transportation Security will hold a hearing titled "Building Secure Partnerships in Travel, Commerce, and Trade with the Asia-Pacific Region". See, notice. Location: Room 311, Cannon Building.

2:30 PM. The Senate Intelligence Committee (SIC) will hold a closed meeting. See, notice. Location: Room 219, Hart Building.

3:30 - 5:00 PM. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will hold an event titled "Inside the FCC: Tips on Effective Written Advocacy from FCC Staff". For more information, contact Brendan Carr (Wiley Rein) at bcarr at wileyrein dot com or Justin Faulb (Lampert O'Connor & Johnson) at faulb at lojlaw dot com. The FCBA states that this is an event of its Young Lawyers Committee. Location: FCC, Commission Meeting Room, 445 12th St., SW.

Deadline to submit initial comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to its Public Notice (PN) that seeks comment regarding whether to fund Rural Health Care Pilot Program participants who will exhaust funding allocated to them before or during funding year 2012 (July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2013). The FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) released this PN on February 27, 2012. It is DA 12-273 in WC Docket No. 02-60. See, notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 77, No. 47, Friday, March 9, 2012, at Pages 14364-14366.

8:30 AM - 1:30 PM. The Technology Policy Institute (TPI), Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) and Silicon Flatirons will host an event titled "The Innovation Consensus: Economic Growth in 2013 and Beyond". The speakers will include Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS), Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX), and Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI). See, TPI notice and ITIF notice. Location: Kaiser Family Foundation, 1330 G St., NW.

9:00 AM. The House Intelligence Committee (HIC) will hold a hearing titled "Ongoing Intelligence Activities". See, notice. Location: __.

10:00 AM. The House Ways and Means Committee's (HWMC) Subcommittee on Human Resources will hold a hearing titled "Use of Technology to Better Target Benefits and Eliminate Waste, Fraud, and Abuse". Location: Room 1100, Longworth Building.

10:00 AM. The Senate Judiciary Committee (SJC) will hold an executive business meeting. The agenda again includes consideration of the nominations of William Kayatta to be a Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals (1stCir), John Fowlkes (USDC/WDTenn), Kevin McNulty (USDC/DNJ), Michael Shipp (USDC/DNJ), and Stephanie Rose (USDC/SDIowa). The SJC will webcast this event. See, notice. Location: Room 226, Dirksen Building.

10:00 AM. The House Commerce Committee's (HCC) Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade will hold a hearing titled "Where the Jobs Are: Can American Manufacturing Thrive Again?". The witness will be Secretary of Commerce John Bryson. See, notice. Location: Room 2123, Rayburn Building.

12:15 - 1:45 PM. The Federal Communications Bar Association's (FCBA) Wireless Telecommunications Committee will host an event titled "A Panel Discussion on the Verizon/Spectrum Co. and Verizon/Cox Transactions". The price to attend is $17. Registrations and cancellations are due by 12:00 NOON on April 17. Location: Wiley Rein, 1776 K St., NW.

4:00 - 5:00 PM. Proponents of state control or regulation of alcohol sales will host a news briefing titled "The Dangers of an Uncontrolled Marketplace". For more information, contact Elizabeth Armstrong at 202-371-9792 or elizabeth dot armstrong at wswa dot org. Location: Holeman Lounge, National Press Club, 13th Floor, 529 14th St. NW.

4:30 - 6:30 PM. The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and Federalist Society (FS) will host a discussion of the book [Amazon] titled "Taming Globalization: International Law, the U.S. Constitution and the New World Order". The speakers will be the co-authors, Julian Ku (Hofstra University School of Law) and John Yoo (UC Berkeley School of Law), as well as Martin Flaherty (Fordham University School of Law), Jeremy Rabkin (George Mason University School of Law), and Jennifer Rubin (Commentary Magazine). See, notice. Location: AEI, 12th Floor, 1150 17th St., NW.

12:15 - 1:45 PM. The New America Foundation (NAF) will host a panel discussion by proponents of increasing regulatory burdens on broadcasters to disclose information. The speakers will be Michael Calabrese (NAF), Steven Waldman (Columbia Journalism School), Corie Wright (Free Press), Harold Feld (Public Knowledge), and Kathy Kiely (Sunlight Foundation). Waldman previously worked at the Genachowski FCC, where he wrote, among other things, the FCC report titled "Information Needs of Communities". Location: NAF, Suite 400, 1899 L St., NW.

12:15 - 1:30 PM. The DC Bar Association will host a program titled "Fundamentals of Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions". The speakers will be Daniel Fisher (Akin Gump), John Vasily (Debevoise & Plimpton), and Andrew Brady (Skadden Arps). Prices vary. No CLE credits. See, notice. For more information, call 202-626-3463. The DC Bar has a history of barring reporters from its events. Location: DC Bar Conference Center, 1101 K St., NW.

1:00 - 5:00 PM. The Public Knowledge (PK) will host an event titled "Open Source Hardware Comes to the Nation's Capital". Location: Room __, Rayburn Building, Capitol Hill.

Deadline to submit reply comments to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGAB) regarding whether certain docketed FCC proceedings should be terminated as dormant. See, February 15, 2012, Public Notice (DA 12-220 in CG Docket No. 12-39), and notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 77, No. 44, Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at Pages 13322-13323.

Deadline to submit comments to the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Computer Security Division (CSD) regarding its draft NIST IR 7511 Rev. 3.01.165 [47 pages in PDF] titled "Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP) Version 1.0 Validation Program Test Requirements".

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