High Tech Policy
4 Things That Can Get Done in Washington in 2014
When folks ask me what policy actions are going to take place in 2014, an election year, my knee jerk reaction is to say, “not much.” But when I spend a moment to think about it, there is a substantial agenda of things that can be accomplished next year from a tech industry perspective. …
Statement by Cisco General Counsel Mark Chandler on House Passage of the “Innovation Act”
“The House of Representatives today took measured and reasonable steps against the misuse of the legal system by patent assertion entities, by passing legislation to dry up the financial incentives that allow patent assertion entities to thrive. As a company that has a portfolio of over 10,000 US pa…
Statement by Cisco General Counsel Mark Chandler on House Judiciary Committee Passage of the “Innovation Act”
“For years, patent assertion entities – otherwise known as patent trolls – have been targeting businesses large and small with frivolous lawsuits, threat letters, and intimidation tactics. Lately, the problem has been getting worse, with 60% of new lawsuits filed by patent assertion entities, up fr…
The FCC’s Moment is Now
With Senate confirmation of incoming FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and Republican Commissioner Michael O’Rielly, the FCC is now back at full strength. A full plate of issues critical to the future of innovation and the national economy now awaits the five men and women who sit atop the agency. Most FCC…
Statement by Cisco General Counsel Mark Chandler on Introduction of the “Innovation Act”
“Cisco applauds introduction of the Innovation Act, legislation which aims to address the growing problem of patent assertion entities, often called patent trolls. “According to a new study released this week, the problem is getting worse. Nearly 60 percent of new patent lawsuits are being filed b…
Cisco and Oracle Support Cybersecurity Bill that Promotes Voluntary Industry-led Approach
Cisco and Oracle today announced their support for S. 1353, the Cybersecurity Act of 2013, sponsored by the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, Senators Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and John Thune (R-SD). In a letter of support, Cisco’s VP of Global Government Affairs, Mic…
Statement on FCC Effort to Modernize E-Rate
In opening this rulemaking, the FCC has taken a major step toward modernizing the E-Rate program. Since its inception 15 years ago, E-rate has connected over 100,000 schools and millions of children to the Internet in all 50 states. It’s the cornerstone of America’s efforts to provide quality dig…
Tech Leaders including John Chambers Call on Senate to Approve Immigration Reform
The tech industry is at its strongest in Washington, DC when we speak with one voice. That’s just what happened today, when more than 100 tech leaders, including Cisco Chairman and CEO John Chambers, called on the U.S. Senate to pass a strong and fair immigration bill. Cisco believes that immigrati…
Cisco Calls on Congress and FCC to Provide More Spectrum for Broadband
Doug Webster – Cisco’s VP of Marketing for Service Provider Routing, Video, and Mobility – testified yesterday in front of the Senate Commerce Committee on trends in mobile data, highlighting Cisco’s Visual Networking Index and the need for more spectrum for broadband. The following is the te…