BSA Names Reps. Billy Tauzin and Ellen Tauscher 'Cyber Champions' At Fifth Annual CEO Forum.

Business Editors

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 7, 2000

The Business Software Alliance (BSA) honored Representatives Billy Tauzin (R-LA) and Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) with its Cyber Champion Award for their unwavering support of policies that will ensure the continued growth of the high tech industry.

The awards were presented today by Greg Bentley, Chairman and President of Bentley Systems, at BSA's fifth Annual CEO Forum.

"Representatives Tauzin and Tauscher have demonstrated enormous skill and leadership on high tech public policy issues, and their continued efforts will help ensure that the U.S. high tech industry maintains its status as a global leader," Bentley said in presenting the awards.

"The Business Software Alliance and its members voted to honor Representatives Tauzin and Tauscher because they understand that the high tech industry is driving income and job growth in the national economy," said Robert Holleyman, President and CEO of BSA. "These lawmakers have displayed extraordinary leadership and foresight, serving as persuasive, forceful and early advocates when others didn't fully comprehend the issues facing the industry."

"As chairman of the House Telecommunications Subcommittee, Representative Tauzin was instrumental in the House Commerce Committee's approval of the Security and Freedom through Encryption (SAFE) Act," Holleyman said. "This key piece of legislation directly led to the changes in policy that opened the doors for U.S. companies to export strong encryption products--helping sustain and grow America's technological leadership overseas. Representative Tauzin also believes strongly in copyright protection and was a major factor in the passage of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

This session of Congress, the Congressman is diligently working on getting the E-Signature bill through Congress." Holleyman went on to say that as Chairman of the Telecommunications Subcommittee, Representative Tauzin "plays a pivotal role in efforts to ensure that broadband technology is widely deployed in this country."

"Representative Tauscher played a critical role as a member of the New Democratic Coalition and the House Armed Services Committee in encouraging the Administration to lift the export restrictions on encryption for the safety, security, and economic well-being of all Americans," Holleyman said. "Her strong support for passage of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act brings the U.S. into compliance with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaties, and will give all publishers of copyrighted information the means to combat online piracy." According to Holleyman, Representative Tauscher was recently a "key supporter of expanding high tech trade opportunities through her vote to extend PNTR status to China. She has a real understanding of matters that advance the new economy and e-commerce."

The Cyber Champion award is presented to a select group of policy makers in recognition of their efforts on issues critical to the success of the high tech industry. Previous recipients include Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Howard Coble (R-NC), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), David Dreier (R-CA); Sens. Spencer Abraham (R-MI) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT); and Secretary of Commerce William Daley and U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky.

Since 1988, the Business Software Alliance has been the voice of the world's leading software developers before governments and with consumers in the international marketplace. Its members represent the fastest growing industry in the world. BSA educates computer users on software copyrights; advocates public policy that fosters innovation and expands trade opportunities; and fights software piracy. BSA members include Adobe, Apple Computer, Autodesk, Bentley Systems, CNC Software/Mastercam, Compaq, Corel Corporation, IBM, Intel, Intuit, Lotus Development, Macromedia, Microsoft, Network Associates, Novell, Sybase, Symantec and Walker Digital. BSA websites: www.bsa.org; www.nopiracy.com.