IP: High-Tech Industry, Long Shy, Is Now Belle of Ball NYT

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

High-Tech Industry, Long Shy, Is Now Belle of Ball
  
By LIZETTE ALVAREZ

Washington, Dec. 25 -- At a time when Congress is bitterly divided and unable to reach consensus on issues like gun 
control and health care, Democrats and Republicans are happily reaching across party lines to pass legislation backed 
by high-tech companies. 
The high-tech industry, at the same moment, is lavishing new attention on Washington and changing its once-aloof 
posture toward the federal government. 

Republicans and Democrats are both eager to win the loyalties of high-tech companies and executives, knowing that they 
represent untold jobs, wealth and, ultimately, votes and campaign contributions. 

For its part, the industry has realized that the federal government can do its members as much harm as good. Microsoft, 
and its battle with the Justice Department, along with a spate of other threatened legal problems, drilled this point 
home. 
"Microsoft was a poster child for our industry

http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/12/biztech/articles/26hitech.html


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A Happy Holiday and a safe New Year

from Dave and GG Farber

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