SIIA branched out in 2010. We met dozens of new members, spearheaded new events and initiatives, and contributed new research to the industries we serve. Looking back on 2010, it’s exciting to see how much SIIA — and the entire digital landscape — grew and evolved in one year.
Here are our favorite SIIA moments from 2010:
- The intellectual property team filed an amicus brief in a U.S. Supreme Court case that led to one of the most important IP decisions of the decade. Bilski v. Kappos addressed the question of which things and activities are eligible for patents. SIIA’s brief argued that software should remain eligible for patent protection–and due to the decision, it will continue to be.
- The education and policy teams launched a new initiative based on the Personalized Learning movement, which advocates a flexible, project-based educational system. SIIA hosted a symposium on the model in August, and used the findings to create a groundbreaking report in partnership with the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and the Council of Chief State School Officers.
- The Software Division spearheaded a report which revealed some welcome news: small and midsize software companies are emerging from the recession stronger than ever. Revenues grew about 15 percent from 2008 to 2009, with even higher growth coming from small SaaS firms, says the report, developed in partnership with OPEXEngine.
- The globetrotting Financial Information Services Division (FISD) held meetings on five continents last Spring. For the first time, they hosted events in Dubai and Brazil. Both meetings attracted over 100 financial industry players, who hashed out the challenges and opportunities facing global financial markets.
- The software team extended further into the mobile space, holding SIIA’s first-ever conference focused solely on mobile. In November, leading software industry executives gathered in San Jose to discuss everything from mobile security to marketing.
- FISD launched the first certification program for electronic market data professionals. The program includes training and a test, and is designed for people who are relatively new to the field.
- The Content Division made a splash with a new kind of conference experience. At NetGain, content industry executives spent one day discussing new content industry concepts, and a second day in the field visiting innovation hot spots. The content caravan made stops at Adobe, Apple, Google and Ridge Vineyards in Cupertino.
- The Education Division received the most nominations ever to its Innovation Incubator program, which promotes new ed tech products and services. A record-breaking 53 companies applied, and eight were selected to showcase their innovations at the Ed Tech Business Forum in New York City. For the first time, one finalist won both “Most Innovative” and “Most Likely To Succeed.” Panopto Focus surely has a bright future ahead!
- SIIA filed an amicus brief in Vernor v. Autodesk, a U.S. Court of Appeals case that led to a major victory for the software and information industries. The decision addresses what it means to be an “owner of a copy” and protects software licenses from being resold on sites like EBay.
- The content and software divisions came together to launch SIIA’s first investment conference to span both industries. The Digital Media & Software Investment Conference, now called the Strategic Partner & Private Equity Conference, helps investors find new opportunities, and allows companies to build partners and create business opportunities.
- SIIA expanded its anti-piracy program, launching new European monitoring initiatives and working with credit card companies to thwart the rogue websites that sell pirated software.