Tech vendors disagree on patent reform
Legislation that would overhaul the U.S. patent system would hurt innovation and decrease the value of patents, representatives of two tech companies said Wednesday.
Stories by Grant Gross
Judge favours Microsoft search agreement
A US judge has said she will probably defer to an agreement on desktop search forged between Microsoft and the plaintiffs in the US government's antitrust lawsuit against the software vendor, instead of responding to a complaint from rival, Google.
Two plead to selling counterfeit software on eBay
Two more defendants have pleaded guilty to charges of criminal copyright infringement for selling counterfeit software with a retail value of nearly US$6 million on eBay, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.
Australian software pirate to serve 4 years in US jail, court rules
The leader of one of the oldest and most widely recognized Internet software piracy groups was sentenced Friday to 51 months in prison on one count of conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.
Microsoft to change Vista desktop search by year end
Microsoft will change how desktop search works in its Vista operating system by the end of the year, in response to an antitrust complaint by rival, Google, the company said in court documents released late Tuesday.
Web-based business charged with distributing obscenity
Two people operating the Internet business Movies by Mail have been charged with one count of selling obscene material, including movies showing sexual acts with women dressed to look underage, the U.S. Department of Justice announced late Thursday.
Flextronics to acquire Solectron in $3.6 billion deal
Flextronics International plans to acquire rival Solectron to create an electronics manufacturing services powerhouse with more than US$30 billion in annual revenue, Flextronics announced Monday.
Company looks to sell or license targeted ad patents
A Georgia technology vendor said Wednesday it is looking to collect money from three patents on targeted online advertising, either by selling the patents or by collecting licensing fees from dozens of online advertising firms.
IBM lays off 1,500, mostly in services
IBM on Wednesday laid off 1,573 employees, as part of a continuing overhaul of its services unit, the company said.
Verizon Business to acquire Cybertrust
Verizon Communications's Business unit plans to acquire managed security vendor Cybertrust in an effort to pump up its cybersecurity offerings, Verizon announced Monday.
Telecom veteran questions Verizon VOIP patents
Two patents owned by Verizon Communications in its infringement lawsuit against Vonage Holdings are invalid, and if allowed to stand, could threaten all competing VOIP (voice over Internet Protocol) services, a telecommunications industry veteran said Tuesday.
Judge bars Vonage from signing up customers
A U.S. district court judge on Friday barred VOIP provider Vonage Holdings from signing up new customers after the company lost a patent infringement lawsuit to Verizon Communications.
Visuals of Darfur tragedy now on Google Earth
Stark visuals of the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan -- including maps showing where millions of refugees have gone -- are now available on Google Earth in a partnership with the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
US to file trade complaint against China
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will file two complaints against China with the World Trade Organization, including one accusing the country of being lax on enforcing copyright, it announced Monday.
FCC says no to mobile calls on aeroplanes
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has ended a proceeding that would have allowed mobile phone calls on airplanes, for now ending the possibility of phone conversations during flights.