Developer Community Spotlight: Q&A with Chris Morris and Rachel Hatfield
What happens when a passion for digital innovation meets a commitment to empowering others? For Chris Morris and Rachel Hatfield, co-founders of ACT | The App Association member company Shoo Social Media, it's more than building an average marketing agency; it means creating a hub for growth, mentorship, and lasting impact. They understand that social media is more than a box to tick; it’s a vital part of every successful business strategy. Their collaborative approach helps clients build authentic [...]
From the FTC’s Shade to Vance’s Sunshine in Paris: Are the Feds Turning Over a New Leaf on AI?
With major developments taking shape at a rapid pace in artificial intelligence (AI), including DeepSeek’s $6 million breakthrough, a new reality is dawning for tech markets. Experts and investors take away a variety of lessons, from the straightforward conclusion that more is now possible with less in AI—to demonstrably inaccurate takes, such as that there is insufficient competition in AI. The latter view dominated the Biden Administration’s antitrust approach to AI markets, and early indications suggest “Big Tech” is [...]
Statement from ACT | The App Association founder Mike Sax on the European Commission’s decision to withdraw the proposed EU SEP Regulation
Brussels, Belgium – The European Commission announced that it would like to withdraw the proposed Standard-Essential Patent (SEP) Regulation. Mike Sax, founder and chairperson of ACT | The App Association, an international trade association for app developers, entrepreneurs, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the tech sector, released the following statement: ‘The Commission’s requested withdrawal of the SEP Regulation is a missed opportunity to tackle the serious challenges SMEs face in securing fair licenses for standard-essential patents. Without [...]
Beyond Salt Typhoon: Reinforcing U.S. Cyber Defenses for Future Threats
Shortly after the 2024 election, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, called to eliminate the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency(CISA), the country’s primary federal cybersecurity agency, over concerns about online censorship. However, CISA has several critical cybersecurity functions that are unrelated to the issues Sen. Paul targeted in calling for its dissolution. If Congress does decide to eliminate the sub-agency, it would significantly disrupt and weaken the United [...]
The 2025 SME Fund Launch: A Boost for IP Protection
For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the EU, protecting intellectual property (IP) is not just a legal formality; it’s a competitive advantage. At ACT | The App Association, we know that securing patents, trademarks, and designs is critical for digital innovators like our SME members. This is why we’re excited to learn about the launch of the 2025 SME Fund, an annual initiative from the European Commission and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) designed to provide [...]