Summary: Lobbyists and US diplomats push the agenda of Microsoft by expanding the reach of software patents while fighting a ban on Xbox 360

THE BSA, a Microsoft front group, was recently seen lobbying regarding patents in the US, but this time we see it jumping to Microsoft’s defence a lot more directly in light of a legal fight Microsoft started against Motorola. As Motorola gets its way against Apple and Microsoft (cases dropped) we learn that the BSA lobbies again. To quote: “The Business Software Alliance (BSA) this week urged the US International Trade Commission not to issue market exclusion orders against certain gaming consoles, smartphones, tablet computers, and related technologies that use internationally recognized technology standards which Motorola says infringe on its patents, because it would have a chilling effect on competition and harm consumers, a press release by the Alliance stated.

“BSA submitted public-interest comments for the ITC to consider in investigations it is conducting into complaints Motorola has lodged against Microsoft and Apple (investigation numbers 337-TA-752 and 337-TA-745, respectively).”

It’s about the ITC and XBox 360.

“Based on Cablegate, those treaties are nothing more than imperialism and a form of corruption.”Others joined the BSA in their action regarding the US ITC. There are other fights at the ITC, which helps embargo products on behalf of US interests (it’s imperialist by design). Meanwhile we learn that more pressure is also put on New Zealand to legalise software patents there. To quote: “New Zealand’s lack of opposition to the “investor-state dispute provisions” in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is evident from a leaked draft negotiation text, says TPPA critic Jane Kelsey. However Kelsey acknowledges that New Zealand has not irrevocably signed up to provisions that would allow foreign investors to sue our government.

“She explains that the punctuation of the leaked document reveals much about the negotiation positions of TPPA parties.”

Based on Cablegate, those treaties are nothing more than imperialism and a form of corruption. How long will we see lobbyists batting like this not just in companies’ home countries but also abroad? Those treaties are against the interests of actual people; no sane person would tolerate them, but superorganisms such as corporations would. █

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