Microsoft put 22 patents up for sale in July, listing them all as in the "open source" category, with some of them, "Linux-focused." The ultimate buyer was the Open Invention Network, a consortium of Linux backers that wanted to take them off the market.. But in between Microsoft marketing and OIN ownership there was a bit of behind the scenes maneuvering. OIN was never approached by Microsoft to buy the patents, even though it was an obvious, interested party. And the actual bidder, Allied Security Trust, was acting as a front man for OIN as well as its own 11 members. OIN was approached by AST "early in the process and invited to be a surrogate bidder," unbeknownst to Microsoft, says OIN CEO Keith Bergelt. When AST's bid won the auction, AST and OIN signed a deal that made OIN the ultimate holder of the patents. The irony of the maneuver is that it was an unlikely outcome. The link for this article located at Information Week is no longer available. . Microsoft's sale of patents to OIN ignited strategic shifts in tech, prompting a reassessment of patent strategies and enhancing open-source collaboration across the industry. Microsoft Patent Sale, Open Invention Network, Linux Technology, Open Source Collaboration. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
The homeland security bill that the house passed last week includes provisions to streamline IT acquisition, Rep. Tom Davis said today at a Northern Virginia Technology Council conference. . .. The homeland security bill that the house passed last week includes provisions to streamline IT acquisition, Rep. Tom Davis said today at a Northern Virginia Technology Council conference . The bill would remove some restrictions on competitive buys and set limits on simplifying procurement emergencies for agencies slated to become part of the new Homeland Security Department, the Virginia Republican said. Separate legislation could extend to all agencies emergency authorizations to simplify procurement, he said. The bill, being considered this week by the Senate, also would amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to let agencies accept unsolicited proposals, he said. In addition, it would establish a Technology Assistance Team to act as a central clearinghouse for vendor information on terror-fighting technology. Also speaking at the conference, Homeland Security Office CIO Steve Cooper said he hopes to see pilots funded this year for a governmentwide integrated network to link existing networks for information sharing. Cooper said he hopes funding will be included in the still pending fiscal 2003 appropriations bills. He said he envisions short-term, three- to six-month pilots costing no more than $1 million each and connecting several layers of government users. The link for this article located at Government Computer News is no longer available. . The public safety legislation seeks to enhance technology procurement methods and facilitate rapid purchase procedures for organizations during crises.. Homeland Security Bill, IT Procurement, Technology Acquisition. . Anthony Pell
Today, Sendmail, Inc. acquired Nascent Technologies, a developer of the Mailspinner webmail server product. This acquisition enables Sendmail, Inc.'s customer's to access their email via any wireless device. Sendmail, Inc., a leading provider of Internet messaging solutions, today announced the . . . . Today, Sendmail, Inc. acquired Nascent Technologies, a developer of the Mailspinner webmail server product. This acquisition enables Sendmail, Inc.'s customer's to access their email via any wireless device. Sendmail, Inc., a leading provider of Internet messaging solutions, today announced the acquisition of Nascent Technologies. Through this transaction, Sendmail, Inc. will own and drive the direction of Nascent's Mailspinner product line, renamed Sendmail Mobile Message Server, which allows customers to access email through any Web browser, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) or iMode enabled wireless device. Sendmail, Inc. will also take over support of Nascent Technologies' customers, integrators and partners. The acquisition supports Sendmail, Inc.'s commitment to delivering extensive Internet messaging solutions to service providers and enterprises. Acquiring Nascent and its development team allows Sendmail, Inc. to accelerate its "anywhere, anytime, any device" access strategy to meet demand for access to messages from varied devices including desktops, portables, kiosks, wireless phones and PDAs. Sendmail, Inc. previously resold Mailspinner Web Mail with its Internet messaging products. The marriage of the two companies' technologies and development teams allows for full integration of the established Post Office Protocol (POP) and Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) message servers with webmail, WAP and iMode servers. "Email users have led the way in looking beyond the PC to remain connected with smart handhelds, telephones, pagers and other wireless devices that have yet to be invented," said Mark Levitt, research director at IDC. "This acquisition enables Sendmail, Inc. to offer itscustomers a choice of advanced wireless and webmail capabilities to meet their messaging needs." "With many of our users needing mobile access to e-mail messages critical to our university business, the Webmail portion of Bowling Green State University's email system is critical," said Toby Singer, executive director information technology services, Bowling Green State University. "Having both Nascent and Sendmail, Inc. under the same umbrella ensures that we can expect the same level of support and direction to which we have grown accustomed as well as the remote capabilities we need." Mailspinner satisfies the growing demand for universal access to Internet messages. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can increase revenue by providing user-friendly web-based services customized with their organization's unique brand. Application Service Providers (ASPs) can offer additional "anywhere, anytime, any device" message access to their corporate clients while wireless service providers can offer their customers rich, Internet messaging services through Mailspinner's highly reliable and scalable architecture. "Mailspinner has provided Texas Instruments employees with the flexibility to send and receive email from anywhere, allowing us to conduct business via email unconstrained by boundaries and ultimately supporting our leadership position in the DSP and analog solution markets, " said Evan Miller, internet email services manager, Texas Instruments. . Email Innovations, LLC purchases Quantum Solutions to improve cloud-based communication by integrating the Zenith Mail client into their services.. Sendmail,Nascent Technologies,Webmail Server,Mobile Email Access,Email Solutions. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
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