A long time ago - I think it was 1995 - I was seated at a long dinner table in a rather nice home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Around the table were all the officers and directors of Cyrix - the microprocessor company that was later acquired by National Semiconductor.
One of our directors was Jack Kemp, quarterback and politician extraordinaire. Jack, who can really work a room, eventually turned the conversation to politics. The question put to the table was whom did we like in the upcoming Republican primaries and why.
I instantly panicked. I didn't even know who the candidates were. I wasn't a Democrat; I just didn't care much about politics. Back then, my opinion of political candidates was based solely on the effect they would have on my taxes.
Thankfully, the inquisition went the long way around the table. By the time it got to me, I was able to fudge a pretty good answer.
I'm more politically astute these days - which isn't saying much - but I'm still not sure if it matters to the technology industry who wins the upcoming presidential election.
(Credit:
Greg Sandoval/Declan McCullagh/News.com)
A March phone survey of 600 technology employees had Obama and McCain tied.
I also checked out the CNET Technology Voters' Guide, which had Barack Obama's and John McCain's answers to a questionnaire. There was some good content regarding specific issues there, but it wasn't what I wanted to know.
All I care about is our nation's ability to compete in an increasingly global world economy. To be more specific, these are the top three technology-related political issues I'm interested in:
1. Protecting the intellectual property rights of U.S. companies overseas;
2. Helping to improve the competitiveness of U.S. companies overseas; and
3. Helping to prepare our children for an increasingly competitive and global marketplace.
Sure, there are other issues, but I think they pale in comparison to these three.
So I ask you - the ever-knowledgeable and opinionated CNET reader - which candidate will be better for our nation's global competitiveness? Or, if you think there are bigger issues, please enlighten us.
Note: the first part of this post is based on a story originally published here.
After years of heated debate and lobbying, the Patent Reform Act of 2007, which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives and was scheduled for a Senate vote this session, has been taken off the Senate's calendar. It can be revived, but its momentum has effectively fizzled.
Apparently, the Senate has better things to do with its time.
At this point, I don't wish to rehash the issues of, or my viewpoint on, the Patent Reform Act. Besides, as I've said, both sides in the debate were after only their own self-interests. Such is life in a capitalist society. (I think that's a good thing.)
What does fascinate me, though, are the strange alliances the debate over patent reform created. The Coalition for Patent Fairness--a group of more than 150 high-tech and financial-services companies that included Adobe Systems, Apple, Cisco Systems, eBay, Google, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Lenovo, Microsoft, News Corp., Oracle, SAP, Time Warner, and virtually all the big banks--supported and lobbied heavily for the bill.
... Read more
(Credit:
Qualcomm Inc.)
Intellectual property (IP) companies are unique business entities. Theirs is a complex, controversial world characterized by huge capital investments, epic legal battles, rollercoaster stock rides, fanatical investors, and of course, lots of patents.
Why should you care? Because, their technology helps almost all your gadgets work the way they do. And for that privilege, their executives, employees and investors go through hell. ... Read more
The proposed Patent Reform Act of 2007 will be coming up for a vote in the Senate in a few months. A similar version of the bill has already passed in the House.
The bill has certain relatively benign provisions, but let's ignore them since they just cloud the argument and are of little interest to either side in the debate.
United States Senate
Let's instead just cut to the chase. In lay terms, the bill makes it easier to challenge issued patents and harder for patent holders to obtain compensation through the U.S. legal system.
Regardless of how that sounds to you, make no mistake - this debate is between two opposing sides with their own interests at heart. ... Read more
Have you ever, I mean ever, copied software, a CD, a DVD, or a video tape without permission or paying? How about downloading music, video, pictures, or art?
If you answered yes, congratulations, you're just like everybody else.
On the other hand, you probably also think U.S. screenwriters are being screwed by the studios. And that China and other countries shouldn't be illegally copying and selling material copyrighted in the U.S.
That, my friend, is called a double standard.
Something else to consider:
Did you read this post about Trend Micro suing Barracuda Networks for patent infringement. Do you agree with the blogger? Do you think companies like Qualcomm, Rambus, or Trend Micro are patent trolls that unjustly enrich their shareholders at the expense of consumers? ... Read more
Here we go again. This time it was New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo who ceremoniously launched an investigation into monopolistic practices by Intel.
"Our investigation is focused on determining whether Intel has improperly used monopoly power to exclude competitors or stifle innovation," Cuomo said in a statement.
The competitors in question are AMD, AMD, and of course, AMD. ... Read more
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