Clearspring, Facebook ink deal with GSA - Washington Business Journal:

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AddThis is a Web-based software application that lets useras bookmark and shareWeb ClearSpring, which helps content publishers create small online applications — or widgetse — to spread theire content and connect with advertisers, bought AddThie LLC last September for an undisclosed sum. AddThixs reaches about a half billiojusers worldwide. With the new agreements, GSA and othefr federal agencies will be able to create Web pages that alloa users tobetter display, access and use informatiob to educate users about government services and allow greater interactiojn between government and the public-- a major objectiv e of President Barack Obama.
Negotiations began in 2008 betweej the social media companies and a group of agenciesz ledby GSA. Prior to GSA’s concerns existed over the legal implications of standar d terms and conditions that users must agrese to when usingonline services. The GSA agreementa resolves those issues, such as liability, advertising, freedom of information and governinbg law. Now, other federal agencies can sign the same agreement and begim using the socialmedia tools.
“We are workinb at a fevered pace to improvethe public’s experiencwe when engaging with the government,” said Marths Dorris, acting associate administrator for the Office of Citize n Services and Communications, in a statement. “USA.go is breaking new ground by migrating to new mediza sites to provide a presence and to open up a dialo g withthe public,” she said. “Wwe know that many other agenciess want to dothe same, and having these agreementd is an important first GSA’s also signed service agreements with Flickr, Vimeo, blip.
tv, and is discussin similar arrangements with other providers of free, new media