Category: Corporate Power
GMail Alternatives in the PRISM Age: How to Host Your Own Email Server in the Cloud
Update: You may be interested in Filtered, my new open source IMAP-based mail filtering application which includes the capability to encrypt selected messages, removing them from your IMAP or Gmail account. I’ve posted a new tutorial called, How to Install Your...
Seattle Dance Clubs Fundraise to Pay Microsoft’s Tax Bill
In April 2010, Washington State’s Legislature changed the definition of its software royalty tax and effectively granted amnesty to Microsoft, helping the company lock up $1.51 billion in savings from its thirteen-year Nevada tax dodge – and more than $100 million...
Hunter’s Promised Royalty Tax Revenue Never Materialized
But the point of adding only royalty tax apportionment (out of scores of other B&O classifications) to the 2010 services apportionment bill was never meant to generate additional revenue, it was meant to eliminate the issue of Microsoft’s worldwide licensing...
The Third Anniversary of Washington State’s Big Tax Gift to Microsoft
Wednesday will be the third anniversary of the biggest corporate tax break in Washington State history. On April 10, 2010, the Legislature changed the definition of the state’s royalty tax and effectively granted amnesty to Microsoft, helping the company lock...
Is it time for the U.S. Treasury to provide digital cash?
Update: I originally posted this piece about the weight of credit card fees on our economy to TalesofChange.org in 2010 and was reminded of it today by Kim Dotcom’s tweet above. See also the Guardian’s Bitcoin: more than just the currency of digital vice....
Phonebook Lawsuit Cost Seattle $264,503 in Legal Fees
Update: Seattle Weekly reports that the city has announced a $517,500 settlement with the phonebook companies. The total cost of the settlement and legal fees to the city therefore is $781,503. City says phonebook opt-out service will be taken offline soon....
Why You Should Care About Seattle’s Phonebook Debacle
Update: In response to my public records request, the City of Seattle reports it has paid $264,503 in outside legal fees during the Yellow Pages Lawsuit. Reading through the comments on BoingBoing about Seattle’s proposed $500,000 settlement with phonebook companies highlighted for me how misunderstood...