Jonathan Zuck and Software Patents
Jonathan Zuck works as President for the Association for Competitive Technology, a Washington based lobbying proxy for Microsoft. Zuck also took part the EU debate over the antitrust ruling against Microsoft as a lobbying hitman and recently also got involved in software patents lobbying.
Latest news
2006-03-10 US Groklaw: The Latest Attacks on GPLv3 and a Word About Tivo (links about Mr Zuck)
2006-02-27 DE FFII: Microsoft puppet at WIPO conference makes german SMEs complaining
2005-08-31 EU EUObserver: Protecting software patents essential to innovation
2005-02-18 US TechCentralStation: The Really Important Battle on the Horizon
Sourcewatch - underestimates the MS bias
ACT about Zuck and his journo-lobbying work
- a widely known and respected leader in the technology industry. As a professional software developer and IT executive with more than 15 years of experience, Mr. Zuck brings an insider's perspective to his role as President of the Association for Competitive Technology. Since assuming leadership of ACT, Mr. Zuck has provided analysis, commentary and background information on a wide range of technology issues to the media... He has been called on as a technology expert for the major news networks including CNN, CNBC and ABC, he is a frequent contributor to national and local radio news programs, and is consistently quoted in the trade and popular press. A prolific writer whose work has appeared in trade publications including PC Magazine, PC Week, Windows Tech Journal and in several books, Mr. Zuck is in high demand as a speaker at trade conferences around the world.
- Zuck was founder of User Friendly Inc.
- Zuck often uses military phrases to describe the "warmap"
- Der Spiegel said J. Zuck was as charming as a used car seller.
Open Source - no bread for developers
Zuck Email What the hell is wrong with wanting to support your domestic software industry EVEN including Microsoft and tens of thousands others. It s not like all of other proprietary software firms are big fans of OSS mandates in governments here and abroad. We need to make a decision as a society if we are truly out to destroy the software industry and are prepared for the consequences. Who s going to put food on the table of the OSS developer if not the commercial software companies that employ them?
A really important battle
CW: And this time went to Brussels, it was kind of figurative pie in the face because as soon as he [Bill Gates] left, the European Parliament starts shooting down software patents. [EU-Parliament Juri Committee and !CoP request to the Commission for a restart.]
JZ: Well, software patents is the really important battle that we've got on the horizon. And I think that Microsoft is right to continue to use all means of negotiation and just presence in these debates. You know, I don't think any one of them is going to be the magic bullet or the ultimate blunder. I think that it's an ongoing and continuous discussion that needs to happen with European governments and I think they're looking to starting to do. So I think that's the right strategy. I just don't think anything is going to happen over night.
Note: Jonathan Zuck does not adhere to European wording standards on Software Patents. (see: CIIisSwEn)
CW: No. They haven't yet found this silver bullet argument, whether it's, as you've said, setting a bad precedent or an absurd precedent or killing innovation or even harming the economy at a time when Europe is talking about trying to revive its economy. So I guess they need to look for that?
Microsoft lobbying is known to be ineffective and often backfires. Hunzinger, DK blackmail, ...
JZ: They do and they don't. I think part of the process for Microsoft is just going to be continue to be engaged. You know, and continuing to grow the European operation and, as they become more and more of multinational, European governments will have to deal with them as a European company as opposed to an American one. ... I think as it becomes a more global corporation, then there's more of an understanding that what's good for Microsoft is good for Europe.
Jonathan Zucks remark "Microsoft is right to continue to use all means of negotiation" could be a reference to the alleged DK blackmail attempt and other unsound lobbying methods experienced in the past.