"As representing our nation's most influential software and hardware companies, the BSA CTOs have a unique perspective on how our public policies can bolster or hinder America's ability to innovate and compete globally," said Robert Holleyman, Business Software Alliance (BSA) President and CEO. "We trust that members of Congress will heed this advice as they look for solutions and opportunities to strengthen our economy."
Highlights of the CTO recommendations to Congress are as follows:
Fight Cyber Crime
The House of Representatives should adopt legislation to protect the United States against cyber threats, and Congress should support the president's budget request of $293.5 million to fund the National Cyber Security Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Cyber criminals are more organized and potent than ever, and the United States is their number one target. Just as the Senate unanimously adopted S. 2168 in November 2007, the House should move swiftly to adopt legislation that would update cyber crime laws and provide law enforcement with the necessary resources to protect against cyber threats.
Additionally, Congress should support the President's request for $293.5 million to fund the FBI's National Cyber Security Division to further deploy the EINSTEIN system on Federal networks. The system is an automated process for collecting, correlating, analyzing and sharing of computer security information, and it would be more widely used under the president's initiative.
Increase Data Security
Congress should adopt legislation that protects consumers' data while providing a workable, technology-neutral framework to businesses that handle such data. Passage of legislation addressing data security and data breach would provide the United States with a national framework that ensures an appropriate level of security for consumers' personal data, while also providing a clear and uniform system of notifying consumers when their data has been compromised.
Upgrade FBI Technology
Congress should approve $438 million to fund IT security and program enhancements at the FBI. Providing the FBI with such funding would support improved intelligence gathering, effective counterterrorism capabilities, streamlined information sharing, and modernized infrastructure. In short, supporting the president's budget request would ensure the FBI has the resources necessary to implement these critical improvements and better protect the American people.
Improve the U.S. Patent System
The Senate should pass S. 1145 to update the U.S. patent system, and Congress should support the President's $2.1 billion request to fund the Patent and Trademark Office.
Technology companies have first-hand knowledge of the problems created by the nation's antiquated patent system. In fact, BSA member companies combined hold more than 89,000 US patents, and several BSA members are among the top fifteen U.S. companies awarded patents in 2006 and 2007. The Senate can take a giant stride toward stimulating innovation, spurring job growth, helping consumers and boosting U.S. global competitiveness by completing action on S. 1145, which would update U.S. patent law for the first time since the 1950s.
During the past 15 years, nearly $1 billion dollars has been diverted from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), which harms the quality of patents and causes expensive and unnecessary litigation. Honoring the president's request for $2.1 billion to fully fund the PTO would allow the agency to retain its fees and help ensure that the PTO is able to modernize its electronic infrastructure, hire additional examiners, and provide prompt high-quality evaluations.
Support Trade Initiatives
Congress should continue to support trade policies and related initiatives that help American workers and businesses compete globally by supporting the president's request for $430 million to fund the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration.
Congress should help advance the United States' competitiveness in the global technology arena by increasing federal investment in basic research programs and enacting a permanent federal research and development tax credit. Additionally, a recommitment to math, science, engineering and IT education, and approving an H1-B visa program that is more responsive to market needs would foster a skilled and educated workforce. Taking steps to accelerate broadband deployment would also help the industry compete by providing better service to business customers.
