ACT is one among many Microsoft pressure groups, some of which change identities to avoid being exposed. We wrote about ACT before. It's means for Microsoft to hijack the public voices of small businesses.

ACT is a front for no small businesses. Its funds come from very large corporations and its past, as well as its members, say a lot about the goals. ACT is based only where lobbyists reside, being the political manipulator which it is.

We decided to write an E-mail complaint the FTC, urging for at least an investigation. ACT lobbyists are paid by Microsoft to claim to represent the 'small guys'. We don't believe in the integrity of the FTC, which is influenced by Microsoft. The same goes for the US Department of Justice, but the least one can do is raise awareness of this abuse. Failing that, we may have to try the more official procedure.

Subject: Abuse by firm "Association for Competitive Technology (ACT)"

To:

Federal Trade Commission Consumer Response Center 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20580 E-mail: antitrust@ftc.gov

I hereby wish to file a complaint about the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT), lodged at address:

1401 K ST, NW Suite 502 Washington, DC 20005 Phone: (202) 331-2130 E-mail: info@actonline.org

This firm is pretending to serve the interests of small businesses although, as a matter of fact, it is funded only by very large corporations it is lobbying for new laws -- both in Europe and the United States -- that are hostile towards "small businesses" they purport to be representing.

I believe ACT to be a true danger not only to the business landscape but also to the integrity of lobbies that genuinely represent the interests of small businesses. I will happily provided proof of the claims, as I already have some produced. Termination of their activity should be a matter of priority to the FTC in order to restore free market sanity and ethics.

With kind regards,

Roy Schestowitz

According to one reader, "the whole Bush administration is Microsoft-corrupted and that's why they stopped the anti-trust action." We are also being informed that "ACT is now publishing anti-Google material in their blog, which means that they are probably paid by Microsoft to do so."

It is a good opportunity to bring up the following new article, which shows that the Microsoft-owned Slate (maybe not anymore) is potentially being used to attack the Yahoo/Google deal. Microsoft buys a lot of press outlets to shape or reshape public perception and poison minds against rivals like Google.

On a related note, Slate looks at the pros and cons of the Google-Yahoo deal — with an emphasis on the cons. The article quotes Microsoft attorney Brad Smith, who shared his company’s objections...

We recently discussed other involvements in Slate and also showed that Microsoft uses a lobbying/marketing group called LawMedia to attack Google through the World Wide Web and politicians. They hire AstroTurfers. ⬆

"Working behind the scenes to orchestrate "independent" praise of our technology, and damnation of the enemy's, is a key evangelism function during the Slog. "Independent" analyst's report should be issued, praising your technology and damning the competitors (or ignoring them). "Independent" consultants should write columns and articles, give conference presentations and moderate stacked panels, all on our behalf (and setting them up as experts in the new technology, available for just $200/hour). "Independent" academic sources should be cultivated and quoted (and research money granted). "Independent" courseware providers should start profiting from their early involvement in our technology. Every possible source of leverage should be sought and turned to our advantage."

--Microsoft, internal document [PDF]