Government/ Industries

Gov't Legislation/Regulation Topic Center

News and analysis about laws and rules that affect how IT does its job

Next round of 'meaningful use' rules for eHealth records expected Thursday

The second of three sets of rules established by the federal government for attaining 'meaningful use' of electronic medical records by healthcare facilities is expected to be published online Thursday.
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FCC chairman calls on ISPs to adopt new security measures

U.S. Internet service providers should take new steps to protect subscribers against cyberattacks, including notifying customers when their computers are compromised, the chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission said Wednesday.

Group files FTC complaint against Google for privacy changes

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission should force Google to halt its plan to consolidate user identities across its services and fine the company for violating an October privacy settlement with the agency, privacy group the Center for Digital Democracy said in a complaint filed Wednesday.

Apple threatens to sue Chinese firm in iPad trademark dispute

Apple has threatened to take legal action against a little-known Chinese firm for inflaming an ongoing dispute over the iPad trademark, alleging that the company's founder and its lawyers have made misleading statements that could damage the U.S. tech giant's business in China.

U.S. lawmakers want FTC to probe Google over Safari cookies

Three lawmakers from the U.S. House of Representatives have asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether last week's report of privacy violations of Safari users by Google violated a consent agreement the company had reached with the FTC last year.

Chinese court orders vendor to halt iPad sales in trademark dispute

A Chinese court has ordered a local electronics vendor to stop selling the iPad, as part of an escalating trademark dispute that threatens to stop Apple from selling its iconic tablet in the country.

LightSquared owner explores lawsuit vs FCC, GPS industry

LightSquared's primary investor, Philip Falcone, is exploring possible lawsuits against the FCC and the GPS industry in the wake of the FCC's rejection of the carrier's plan for a 4G cellular network, sources familiar with the company's planning confirmed on Friday.

Congress passes bill that opens up TV spectrum

The U.S. Congress has passed legislation that will allow the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to set aside a piece of unlicensed spectrum before new mobile spectrum auctions, despite opposition from some lawmakers who wanted all the available spectrum to be auctioned.

Google's tracking of Safari users could lead to FTC investigation

Google's alleged circumvention of do-not-track controls on Apple's Safari browser could lead to big fines from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission if the agency determines Google has violated a privacy settlement the company agreed to in March, some privacy advocates said Friday.

Apple could face U.S. lawsuit related to iPad trademark dispute in China

A trademark dispute in China over the iPad could spill over into U.S courts, after a little-known Chinese company threatened on Friday to sue Apple in the U.S. for among other things allegedly setting up a "fake company" to purchase the rights to the trademark.

Are Google and Apple really 'monopolies'?

Recent charges claiming that Google or Apple are monopolies, are monopolistic or wield monopoly power are simply false. And those who use the M word about these companies are misleading you, writes columnist Mike Elgan.

SOPA Controversy

Internet censorship or protecting creative work from theft? The controversy over SOPA and PIPA legislation.

15 top quotes of 2011

As another year draws to a close, we look back on the IT-related comments that stuck with us.

Has the spam problem been solved?

Microsoft founder Bill Gates said in 2004 that the problem of spam would be solved within two years. His timing was off, but I was shocked to realize this week that I really don't get much spam anymore.

Why net neutrality is better for business

President Obama threatened to veto a bill this week that overturns new FCC rules stating that Internet providers cannot limit lawful network traffic. On Thursday, the Senate voted the same bill down. Under the new FCC rules put into force last December, mobile broadband providers can't block applications that compete with their services. The administration's position on the rules and the bill introduced to overturn them is clearly stated here.

Continuing coverage: Patent wars

Tech companies are hitting the courts in droves. We track the patent madness.

5 reasons why SIEM is more important than ever

IT environments are growing ever more distributed, complex and difficult to manage, making the role of security information and event management (SIEM) technology more important than ever. Here's why.

QuickPoll: Is there a conspiracy to take down Android with patent lawsuits?

Patents cases are mounting against Android and makers of products that run on Android. The latest: Samsung's Tab has been barred from sale in Europe. Google charges that rivals, among them Apple, are waging a 'hostile, organized campaign against Android' using 'bogus patents.' Is it a conspiracy?

Apple gets injunction barring Samsung Tab sales in Europe

Apple on Tuesday confirmed that a German court has granted a preliminary injunction blocking Samsung from selling the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablets across all European Union nations, except for the Netherlands.

10 hard truths IT must learn to accept

Unsanctioned devices, compromised networks, downtime -- today's IT is all about embracing imperfections.