Priorities have been set following extensive consultations that included input from a series of European Technology Platforms and industrial initiatives in areas such as nano-electronics, microsystems, embedded systems, mobile and wireless communications, electronic media, photonics, robotics and software, services and grids, including Free, Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS).

"During the second phase, support will be given to bringing together the industries and parties concerned such as content providers, regulatory and self-regulatory bodies, software and Internet rating organisations and consumer associations, in order to foster conditions propitious for developing and implementing rating systems which are easy for content-providers and for consumers to understand and use, which provide European parents and educators with the necessary information to make decisions in accordance with their cultural and linguistic values, and which take account of the convergence of telecommunications, au ...[+++]diovisual media and information technology".

(ix) to support the development and adaptation of innovative pedagogy that integrates the use of technology within broader cross-curriculum approaches; to foster new approaches, based on a more extensive use of innovative pedagogical methods and software and the use of new devices and experiences in order to stimulate learners' knowledge and motivation and so foster, as a part of teaching, critical attitudes among learners to content on the Internet and other media.

The joint venture's "Media-Manager" will be a new type of databased software developed in addition to LinoPress's existing media software.

The business activities of both companies overlap only insignificantly in the software sector, especially media software.

3. Tasks Consequently, the Task Force on multimedia educational software will have to: . conduct an analysis of: - supply (publishers, media, distribution networks) and demand (homes, schools, universities, businesses and vocational training centres); - measures taken by the Member States or the European Union, and by their major competitors, to encourage and support the production, distribution and use of multimedia educational software make recommendations which should result in the implementation of an action plan coordinating application of the instruments available in this area to the European Union and its Member States to promote ...[+++] research and development, dissemination and funding for innovation.