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Daily Archives: April 20, 2007

Google DoubleClick Merger In the News

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Press release, April 13, 2007: “Google to Acquire DoubleClick – Combination Will Significantly Expand Opportunities for Advertisers, Agencies and Publishers and Improve Users’ Online Experience.”

  • Google Form 8-K, filed on April 18, 2007: Item 1.01 Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement – “On April 13, 2007, Google Inc. (“Google” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Google (“Sub”), and Click Holding Corp. (“DoubleClick”), a Delaware corporation, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Google will acquire DoubleClick by means of a merger of DoubleClick with and into Sub (the “Merger”), with DoubleClick continuing as the surviving corporation after the Merger.”
  • “EPIC, CDD and US PIRG today filed a complaint (pdf) with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), urging the Commission to open an investigation into the proposed acquisition. The groups urged the FTC to assess the ability of Google to record, analyze, track, and profile the activities of Internet users with data that is both personally identifiable and data that is not personally identifiable. The groups further urged the FTC to require Google to publicly present a plan to comply with well-established government and industry privacy standards such as the OECD Privacy Guidelines. Pending the resolution of these and other issues, EPIC encouraged the FTC to halt the acquisition. See EPIC’s FTC Google Complaint
  • Doubleclick Statement Regarding Data Ownership, New York, 4/20/2007 – DoubleClick Inc., the premier provider of digital marketing and technology services, issued the following statement regarding data ownership. Since the announcement of Google’s intention to acquire DoubleClick, several media reports have incorrectly suggested that data collected by the company’s online display advertising technology could be used by Google, or combined with information owned by Google. This is simply not the case.Information collected by DoubleClick DART® ad serving technology belongs to DoubleClick’s clients and not to DoubleClick. Any and all information collected by DoubleClick is, and will remain, the property of the company’s clients. Ownership rights, like the other terms of DoubleClick’s client contracts, will be unaffected by any acquisition. Further, Google would not be able to match its search data to the data collected by DoubleClick, as DoubleClick does not have the right to use its clients’ data for such purposes. By contract, DoubleClick has only the limited rights to use data for its aggregate reporting and to disclose data, if so required, to government authorities.”

    • TSA Canine Explosive Teams

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    Press release: “The Transportation Security Administration uses canine explosive-detection teams to search aircraft, vehicles, terminals, warehouses, and luggage in the airport environment. They dogs are the most mobile form of explosive detection and can be used in all areas of the airport. The dogs are bred, raised and trained by TSA and are initially trained… Continue Reading

    Election Assistance Commission Provides Spanish Language Glossary of Election Terms

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    Press release: “The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today voted to adopt a glossary that provides a translation of key election terms from English to Spanish and from Spanish to English. The glossary is available at www.eac.gov and EAC will distribute copies to jurisdictions throughout the nation.” Spanish Language Glossary of Election Terms Glossary of… Continue Reading

    Best Places to Work in the Federal Government 2007

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    “The Best Places to Work rankings are the most comprehensive and authoritative rating and analysis of employee engagement in the federal government. The 2007 rankings are the third edition of this ongoing series, following the 2003 and 2005 versions…Geared toward a broad audience of job seekers, researchers, federal employees and government leaders, Best Places to… Continue Reading

    EU Report on Digital Preservation, Orphan Works and Out-of-Print Works

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    “The Report on Digital Preservation, Orphan Works and Out-of-Print Works, Selected Implementation Issues is an advisory report on copyright issues to the European Commission, presented on 19 April by the EU’s High Level Expert Group on Digital Libraries – which includes, inter alia, stakeholders from the British Library, the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek, the Federation of European… Continue Reading

    FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System

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    Press release: “The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 required the Attorney General to establish the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This name check system is utilized by Federal Firearms Licensees to conduct background checks on potential buyers of firearms or explosives. The purpose of the background check is to ensure national… Continue Reading

    UK Consumers Not Risk Averse When Using Online Services According to New Report

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    Press release: “UK consumers are not as risk-averse when it comes to using online services as previously thought, according to recent research conducted by BT. Despite daily warnings about security threats and cyber-criminals, people are willing to take risks online, as long as they feel informed, and it is clear how consequences will be addressed.… Continue Reading

    EU Intellectual Property Infringement Proposal Galvanizes Opposition Groups

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    Press release: “The Electronic Frontier Foundation’s (EFF’s) European Office today announced a broad coalition aimed at fixing a poorly drafted intellectual property enforcement proposal that could make criminals of thousands of people in the European Union. The Second Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Directive (IPRED2) — set for vote in the European Parliament early next week… Continue Reading

    PBS Reports on Security versus Liberty: America at a Crossroads

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    “Following 9/11, the U.S. government adopted some controversial new tactics intended to prevent future terrorist attacks, including warrantless eavesdropping on Americans’ phone calls, secret demands for records under the Patriot Act, and FBI sting operations against people thought to be potential terrorists. The Bush Administration contends these tactics have helped to save American lives, but… Continue Reading