A California woman has filed what could become a class-action suit against Microsoft, claiming the software giant's flaw alert and patching system is inadequate and fails to protect consumers. The action, being handled by a California attorney known for taking on big business on behalf of consumers, stems from an apparent case of identity theft that the woman says was made possible by weaknesses in Microsoft's products. It alleges that because Microsoft products are so widely used, their weaknesses constitute harm to consumers. In addition, the lawsuit alleges Microsoft engaged in unfair business practices. It seeks unspecified damages as well as an injunction that would require the company to revamp its alert system. It also seeks treatment as a class action, which could enable thousands if not millions of other California residents to join the lawsuit if they have been affected by Microsoft flaws.

In mid-September, International Business Law Services (IBLS), a privately held company that provides global Internet legal services and acts as a clearinghouse for e-commerce-related legal information and resources, held its Strategic Global Summit for E-Commerce, featuring legal experts from several countries tackling a host of e-commerce issues, including legal implications of e-mail in the workplace, matters to consider when taking an e-business offshore, and common pitfalls that Web site providers must avoid when conducting business in the European Union. U.S. Federal Trade Commissioner Mozelle Thompson touched on several pertinent e-commerce topics, the role the FTC has assumed as the Internet has developed into a means of conducting business, and what legal counsel needs to consider when advising the companies they work with. In addition to taking action against companies suspected of engaging in unfair business practices, the FTC has worked to shape Internet policy in a range of areas, including online disputes and resolutions, Internet-based fraud and privacy concerns. The case of the phony "U.S. Consumer Protection Agency" that had its own Web site, seal and board of directors and sent e-mails to companies saying that for $1,000 they could purchase the right to display its seal of approval was pointed to as an example of the recent types of scams over the Internet.

The number of new foreign workers allowed to enter the country will be sharply limited in the coming year, as Congress declined to renew a higher annual cap it set for a controversial visa program at the height of the technology boom. Known as the H1-B visa, the program allows employers to hire foreign workers with special skills they can't find among American job applicants. But recently, the annual limit on new H1-B visas automatically rolled back to 65,000 -- a cap set in 1990. As the economy boomed during the late 1990s, Congress raised the cap to 115,000 and eventually to 195,000 in 2000 at the request of the business community. But with unemployment at 6.1%, the economy still shaky and immigration issues woefully unpopular since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, employers didn't protest as the rollback went into effect as scheduled on Oct. 1, the start of the federal fiscal calendar.

The Intranet software company, Mindbridge, joins an elite group of organizations in this year's list of the fastest-growing private companies compiled by Inc. Magazine. Mindbridge helps clients improve their corporate communications and management information with their Intranet software suite, IntraSmart. Scott Testa, COO of Mindbridge, stated that, “The Inc. 500 listing reflects our continued strong growth which is the result of innovative product enhancements, superb support for our customers, and a system that delivers high ROI by significantly improving productivity.” According to Inc. editor-in-chief John Koten, “The entrepreneurs you'll find on the Inc. 500 have the type of attitude we need to get this economy moving again. For them, a tough market is not an excuse for poor performance, but an opportunity to innovate and rise above the competition.” The Inc. 500 ranks privately held companies according to sales growth over the past five years. With 75% of all new job creation in the U.S. coming from small businesses, the Inc. 500 is a prescient indicator of the companies and industries that are driving the economy forward. Over the years, the Inc. 500 has identified the next generation of world-class companies, with Microsoft, Timberland, Oracle, Princeton Review, Morningstar, E* Trade, and Intuit all appearing on the list before they became industry powerhouses. To be eligible for this year's Inc. 500, companies had to be independent and privately held through their fiscal year 2002, have had at least $200,000 in sales in the base year of 1998, and their 2002 sales had to exceed 2001 sales. Inc. verifies all information using tax forms and financial statements from certified public accountants and by conducting interviews with company officials. Mindbridge ranked #346 on the list with a five-year sales growth of 523%. With clients like The American Bar Association, ADP, The March of Dimes and Fidelity Bank, Mindbridge is supplying a tool that companies customize to match their organization, culture, and business processes. This enables them to build teamwork by developing new, creative methods for sharing information and knowledge.

Allan Eric Carlson, 39, was arrested by FBI agents at his home in a Los Angeles suburb and charged with hacking, spoofing return addresses, launching spam attacks, and stealing identities by using fake e-mail addresses. He was released on $25,000 bail and ordered not to use the Internet, said Michael Levy, an assistant U.S. attorney in Philadelphia. Carlson faces up to 471 years in prison and $117.25 million in fines. The spam messages were critical of Phillies management and the media, including one e-mail that had a subject line reading, "Corrupt Philly Media Keeps Phils in Cellar," according to the indictment. Carlson used fake return addresses, belonging to sports reporters at the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News, the indictment said. Many of spam messages bounced back to the reporters' e-mail accounts, crippling the servers where they were stored, according to the indictment.

Telephone regulators recently issued a series of guidelines to help cell phone carriers meet an upcoming deadline to let customers switch to rival companies but keep their old phone numbers. The Federal Communications Commission said carriers should let defecting customers keep their old number even if their account has an unpaid balance and also found no technical reason why such subscribers should have to wait longer than two-and-a-half hours before their old number is "ported" to their new dialing plan. The guidelines came under immediate attack by the telephone industry. Verizon previously announced its support for this mandate, believing that when consumers compare pricing plans and are allowed to retain their current cell phone number, that Verizon will become their provider of choice.

E-COMMERCE RELATED EVENTS AND INFORMATION

The following are links to upcoming seminars and other events that our readers might have an interest in and/or other information related to e-commerce.

The Intranet software company, Mindbridge, joins an elite group of organizations in this year's list of the fastest-growing private companies compiled by Inc. Magazine. Mindbridge helps clients improve their corporate communications and management information with their Intranet software suite, IntraSmart. Scott Testa, COO of Mindbridge, stated that, “The Inc. 500 listing reflects our continued strong growth which is the result of innovative product enhancements, superb support for our customers, and a system that delivers high ROI by significantly improving productivity.” According to Inc. editor-in-chief John Koten, “The entrepreneurs you'll find on the Inc. 500 have the type of attitude we need to get this economy moving again. For them, a tough market is not an excuse for poor performance, but an opportunity to innovate and rise above the competition.” The Inc. 500 ranks privately held companies according to sales growth over the past five years. With 75% of all new job creation in the U.S. coming from small businesses, the Inc. 500 is a prescient indicator of the companies and industries that are driving the economy forward. Over the years, the Inc. 500 has identified the next generation of world-class companies, with Microsoft, Timberland, Oracle, Princeton Review, Morningstar, E* Trade, and Intuit all appearing on the list before they became industry powerhouses. To be eligible for this year's Inc. 500, companies had to be independent and privately held through their fiscal year 2002, have had at least $200,000 in sales in the base year of 1998, and their 2002 sales had to exceed 2001 sales. Inc. verifies all information using tax forms and financial statements from certified public accountants and by conducting interviews with company officials. Mindbridge ranked #346 on the list with a five year sales growth of 523%. With clients like The American Bar Association, ADP, The March of Dimes and Fidelity Bank, Mindbridge is supplying a tool that companies customize to match their organization, culture, and business processes. This enables them to build teamwork by developing new, creative methods for sharing information and knowledge.

www.mindbridge.com

  PROCUREMENT AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

The following is a listing of recently published technology procurement or Federally funded opportunities with various governmental entities. We hope our readers take the opportunity to investigate these postings and increase their business :

Federal Funding Opportunities

Department of Defense (DoD)
The Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate invites proposals for funding under the Novel Optically diVerse Applications program . Research is sought in 13 technical areas, including: active and passive satellite imaging concepts, polarimetric characterization phenomenology, vibrometry, lightweight optics compensation and structures, relay mirror concepts, optical components engineering lab and optical component analysis support, foveated imaging technologies, active illuminator development, and imaging, beam control, acquisition, pointing and tracking. A total of approximately $49 million is expected to be available over 60 months. Multiple awards are anticipated. This acquisition is unrestricted; full and open competition is encouraged. White papers are due Oct. 24, 2003; however, this solicitation will remain open for a year. More information is available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AFRLPLDED/Reference%2DNumber%
2D03%2DDE%2D03/listing.html

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals for research in advanced lithography for fabrication of components for advanced military systems . This includes maskless lithography, non-conventional lithography, and device and tool demonstrations. Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in science, devices or systems. Awards totaling approximately $15 million over three years are expected to be made during the first half of calendar year 2004. Multiple awards are anticipated. All responsible sources capable of satisfying the government's needs may submit proposals, which are due Jan. 9, 2004. More information is available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/BAA03%2D42/listing.html

DARPA also is soliciting proposals for research, development, modeling, design and testing services to support the Self-Regenerative Systems program . This program seeks to address deficiencies by creating a new generation of security and survivability technologies. The first phase of this effort is planned to be 18 months long. Any offeror may submit a proposal. To be considered during the initial evaluation phase, proposals must be submitted by Nov. 26, 2003. This solicitation will remain open until Sept. 24, 2004. More information is available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/Reference%2DNumber%2DBAA03%2D44/
listing.html

Department of Energy (DOE)
The DOE Idaho Operations Office is soliciting applications for funding under the Nuclear Engineering Education Research program . Research is sought in eight areas: reactor physics, reactor engineering, reactor materials, radiological engineering, radioactive waste management, applied radiation science, nuclear safety and risk analysis, and innovative technologies for next generation reactors, space power and propulsion, or radiation sources. Approximately $5 million is expected to be available in FY 2004 to fund 25 awards. Recommended budgets for applicants are $100,000 a year or less for performance periods of 1-3 years. Only U.S. colleges and universities with nuclear engineering degree programs or options or licensed, operating research reactors are eligible to apply. Applications are due Nov. 12, 2003. More information is available at: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/03-24873.htm

National Science Foundation (NSF)
NSF's Directorate for Engineering is exploring concept development of a new cyberinfrastructure project known as the Collaborative Large-scale Engineering Analysis Network for Environmental Research (CLEANER). CLEANER will be an integrated network of environmental field facilities to support fundamental engineering research and education on large-scale, environmental problems. Approximately $1 million is expected to be available to fund 10 planning grants of up to $100,000 each for a duration of 1-2 years. Only U.S. academic institutions are eligible to submit proposals, which are due Jan. 7, 2004. More information is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf03607

Source: SSTI Weekly Digest
A Publication of the State Science and Technology Institute
Email: ssti@ssti.org      Website: http://www.ssti.org