The Open Computing Alliance seeks to encourage productivity, growth and employment through the greater use of information, communications and technology (ICT). Recognising the development of new technological opportunities arising from distributed and networked computing, it seeks to foster openness and to promote:
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November 5, 2010 
The Government Leaders Forum held on October 4, 2010, "Building a Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Europe - EU2020 in Action", examined ways that the European nations could strengthen competitiveness to build a sustainable European future. Tim Cowen of the OCA attended. Click the link below to read his comments.
November 4, 2010 
On 4 November 2010, the European Commission adopted a strategic Communication on a comprehensive strategy on data protection in the European Union highlighting its main ideas and key objectives on how to revise the current rules on data protection.
A public consultation is open until 15 January 2011 on the proposals included in the Commission's Communication.
Click here to read the complete Communication.
Click here to read the press release.
Click here to read the memo.
November 1, 2010 
(eGov) By Prachi Shirur
Issues around security, standardisation and availability for public cloud exist, but private clouds can be a safe bet for government.
Click here to read the article in eGov.
September 2, 2010 
The Cloud Computing Project at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies of Queen Mary University of London School of Law has published a paper by Simon Bradshaw, Christopher Millard and Ian Walden entitled 'Contracts for Clouds: Comparison and Analysis of the Terms and Conditions of Cloud Computing Services'.
Abstract: Cloud computing offers an attractive solution to customers keen to acquire computing infrastructure without large up-front investment, particularly in cases where their demand may be variable and unpredictable. But the greater flexibility of a Cloud computing service as compared with a traditional outsourcing contract is balanced by less certainty for the customer in terms of the location of data placed into the Cloud and the legal foundations of any contract with the provider. This paper reports on a detailed survey and analysis of the Terms and Conditions offered by Cloud computing providers.
Click here to download the paper. The authors welcome comments here.
July 21, 2010 
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department, has issued draft recommendations for securely configuring and using full virtualization technologies, which, by means of software, duplicate a computer's operating system and its applications on other machines.The draft of NIST Special Publication 800-125, Guide to Security for Full Virtualization Technologies may be obtained from the NIST Computer Security Resource Center here. Submit comments here with "Comments SP 800-125" in the subject line.
July 7, 2010 
Speech by Joaquín Almunia (Vice President of the EC, responsible for competition policy) at the Competition in Digital Media and the Internet UCL Jevons Lecture on 7 July 2010.
Click here to read his speech.
June 30, 2010 
(Ernst & Young) Technical Line Bulletin
This bulletin looks at the effects of the new Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements guidance on cloud computing vendors. Over the past several years, the growing number of vendors providing cloud computing services has led to an increased awareness of the complexities inherent in accounting for the revenue associated with these transactions. However, unlike many software-related arrangements, no specific authoritative literature exists for such arrangements. These arrangements generally fall within the scope of the multiple-element arrangements guidance in ASC 605-25 and the general revenue recognition guidance of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 13.
The guidance for multiple-element arrangements was recently modified by the final consensus on EITF 08-1, "Revenue Arrangement with Multiple Deliverables," that was codified by ASU 2009-13, Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements. The resulting changes could have a significant effect on the revenue recognition practices of cloud computing vendors.
This Technical Line provides an overview of the amendments in ASU 2009-13 and describes how these amendments may affect cloud computing arrangements. Additionally, it includes example cloud computing arrangements and provides considerations in applying the revised guidance to the example arrangements.
Click here to read the bulletin.
For further enquiries contact Lucy McCabe (Director, Export Control and International Trade Advisory) at Ernst & Young LLP lmccabe@uk.ey.com
June 25, 2010 
(EurActiv.com)
The European Commission will ensure that devices with always-on connectivity, like Apple's iPhone, don't lock consumers in to proprietary technology, Neelie Kroes, EU commissioner for the 'Digital Agenda', told EurActiv in an exclusive interview. A yearly scorecard will measure the industry's progress.
Click here to read the EurActiv article.
June 24, 2010 
(EurActiv.com)
The European Commission plans to rewrite ICT industry rules to make sure dominant technologies, like devices with always-on connectivity, do not lock consumers into supporting monopolies and hamper innovation, Neelie Kroes, EU commissioner for the Digital Agenda, told EurActiv in an exclusive interview.
Click here to read the EurActiv article.