27 Monday Dec 2010
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) voted Dec. 21 to adopt new network neutrality rules for broadband providers. The 194-page Report and Order will take some time to read with a critical eye so I’ll update once completed. Here is the full text for those who can’t wait:
22 Monday Nov 2010
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In a ceremony last week in the White House East Room, President Obama bestowed the National Medal of Science on 10 researchers and awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to three individuals and a three-person team.
The medals represent the government’s highest honor for scientists, engineers and inventors.
Obama said their achievements “stand as a testament to the ingenuity, to their zeal for discovery and to the willingness to give of themselves and to sacrifice in order to expand the reach of human understanding. All of us have benefited from their work.”
Recipients of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation are:
For more info on these awards and the recipients of the National Science Award, see Wall Street Journal Online.
17 Tuesday Aug 2010
Posted in Bloggers, Federal Initiatives, Patent, Tech Developments, Trademark
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has launched its official page on Facebook. Intended to engage the public and the intellectual property community directly and provide real-time information, the USPTO’s page on Facebook will offer a series of regular updates on a range of issues, and gives Facebook users the chance to comment on, discuss, and offer feedback to the USPTO about announcements and initiatives. The page can be found at www.facebook.com/uspto.gov.
The Facebook page will not replace the Agency’s Web site (www.uspto.gov) as the official source of USPTO information. Rather, the Facebook page will provide a new channel for the public to connect with the USPTO.
In addition to communicating directly with the USPTO, Facebook users can expect to see an array of content and information, including press releases, posts from Director Kappos’ “Director’s Forum” blog, event information, photos and video.
21 Monday Jun 2010
Posted in Federal Initiatives, Indiana, Tech Developments
Governor Mitch Daniels recently announced the establishment of WGU Indiana, a new online, competency-based university aimed at expanding access to higher education for Hoosiers. Formed by a partnership between the state and Western Governors University, the nation’s only non-profit, competency-based university, WGU Indiana offers fully accredited bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing.
“Today we mark the beginning of, in a real sense, Indiana’s 8th state university. WGU Indiana will fill the clearest and most challenging gap remaining in our family of higher education opportunities, helping thousands of adult Hoosiers attain the college degrees they’ve wanted and needed, on a schedule they can manage, at a cost they can afford,” said Daniels, who was elected to the board of directors of WGU in January.
WGU Indiana’s academic model is unique–rather than earning degrees based on credit hours or time spent in class, students are required to demonstrate competency in degree subject matter. They advance by writing papers, completing assignments, and passing exams that demonstrate their knowledge of required subject matter. This allows students to move quickly through areas where they have prior work or academic experience and focus on the areas they still need to learn. Learning is individualized and guided by the one-on-one support of a faculty mentor. Degree programs are rigorous and challenging, but designed to allow students to schedule their studies to accommodate work and family obligations. Tuition is affordable, approximately $6,000 per year for most degree programs, and Indiana state and federal financial aid are available.
WGU Indiana is being established with support from the Lumina Foundation for Education and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The university will operate independent of direct state funding and be self-sustaining on tuition. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education has adopted a resolution supporting the governor’s executive order that establishes WGU Indiana in partnership with Western Governors University.
Allison Barber has been appointed as WGU Indiana Chancellor. A native of Indiana and former Indiana public school teacher, Ms. Barber has served in development and education roles in the government and non-profit sector for nearly 20 years. She will be based in the WGU Indiana main office in Indianapolis, but will work with community and business leaders throughout the state to help increase awareness of the university. In addition, the governor has named seven Hoosiers to the WGU Indiana Advisory Board:
Source: WGU Indiana
04 Monday Jan 2010
Posted in Authors, Copyright, Federal Initiatives, Legislation
Current US law extends copyright protections for 70 years from the date of the author’s death. (Corporate “works-for-hire” are copyrighted for 95 years.) But prior to the 1976 Copyright Act (which became effective in 1978), the maximum copyright term was 56 years (an initial term of 28 years, renewable for another 28 years). Under those laws, works published in 1953 would be passing into the public domain on January 1, 2010.
This includes: 
Click here for a full discussion and additional works.
