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Judge Takes Oracle Attorney to Task Over Importance of 9 Lines of Code May 16, 2012 
After months of legal wrangling between technology titans Oracle and Google, phase two of the case has headed to the jury, where 11 good people will decide whether Google actually infringed on Java-related patents, and more importantly whether this was a threat to Oracle's business. The two patents in question were actually acquired by Oracle when it bought Java maker Sun Microsystems more than a year after Google launched its first Android handset.
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Windows 8 Browser Brouhaha Draws Regulator Attention May 15, 2012 
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee plans to examine allegations that Microsoft is giving its own Internet Explorer Web browser preferential treatment over competing Web browsers in a version of its upcoming Windows 8 operating system. "This is a preliminary inquiry," said Lynn Becker, communications director for Sen. Herb Kohl. Kohl is a member of the Judiciary Committee.
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Nvidia Deal Puts a New Spin on Patent-Portfolio Acquisition May 15, 2012 
Nvidia and Intellectual Ventures have partnered to buy a set of patents developed and owned by IPWireless. The patent portfolio comprises approximately 500 wireless patents, including in such areas as LTE, LTE-Advanced and 3G/4G technologies. The acquisition is viewed as another sign that the company is getting more serious about diversifying beyond its gamer-friendly graphics cards.
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The Thompson Crisis: Sloppy Whopper or Poor Career Personal Hygiene? May 11, 2012 
It's been more than a week since Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson's resume blew up in his face, and by the looks of things, the Yahoo board isn't bothered by it. They're not bothered enough to fire the guy, anyway. Thompson's still in charge at Yahoo, and a week's worth of morale-melting embarrassment and haranguing from Dan Loeb haven't been enough to change that.
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FTC's Instagram Probe Could Spotlight Zuckerberg's Wheeling and Dealing May 11, 2012 
Facebook's acquisition of photo-sharing app Instagram was in the spotlight on Friday following a report that the Federal Trade Commission was investigating the deal on competition grounds. The FTC reportedly has even asked for input on the deal from rivals Google and Twitter, although it isn't clear what information was being requested.
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Dutch Officials Do Battle With Pirate Hordes May 11, 2012 
Today in international tech news: The Netherlands takes its blockade of The Pirate Bay a step further, ordering links and access tips be removed from the Net. Elsewhere, streaming service Ustream is attacked in an apparent attempt to cripple feeds coming out of Russia, data roaming charges in the EU get set to plunge, and China's Internet censors try to mute 70 million people.
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Proview and Apple: A Tale of Two Lawsuits May 11, 2012 
A Chinese company that claims it owns the rights to the iPad name reportedly refused to settle its claims against Apple for $16 million. The company, Shenzhen Proview Technology, was apparently offered $16 million by representatives of Apple to drop its challenge of Apple's right to use the iPad trademark in China.
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Oracle, Google Take Swings in Round 2 May 10, 2012 
The Oracle v. Google copyright infringement and patent violation trial is continuing with the second phase, despite key unresolved issues from the copyright portion of the case. Following the jury's partial verdict earlier this week, Google is seeking a new trial on the copyright phase. Meanwhile, as arguments over whether Google infringed on Oracle's Java patents get under way, it is clear that the jury will be presented with much of the same testimony and evidence.
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Norway Rounds Up Alleged International Teenaged Cybervillains May 10, 2012 
Today in international tech news: A pair of teenagers are arrested in Norway for cyberattacks on, among others, Britain's Serious Organized Crime Agency and Germany's Bild newspaper. Elsewhere, India mulls a retroactive tax bill that could net the nation $3.75 billion from Vodaphone, Twitter is aflutter with false Margaret Thatcher news, and the Netherlands, once again, orders ISPs to block The Pirate Bay.
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The Australian Pol Who Hates 'Likes' May 09, 2012 
Today in international tech news: An Australian politician threatens to contact employers of people who "Liked" a satirical article about him, and then denies it. Elsewhere, the U.S. and China team up on cybersecurity, Anonymous goes after a British ISP to protest the Pirate Bay ban, and China's Proview loses a copyright claim against Apple.
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That Nasty, Lying Anonymous Internet Post Could Cost $13.78 Million May 09, 2012 
Many people believe they can say what they want on the Internet as long as they use a pseudonym. After all, it is easy to set up an account using an anonymous alter ego. In addition to believing they can post whatever they want, they may also think they are protected by the First Amendment. They may think freedom of speech has no limits, and that even when vicious lies are posted, that anonymity will shield them from liability.
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Will Apple Take Root in Walmart? May 09, 2012 
Forbes released its annual list of the largest corporations in the U.S. this week, and Apple had the biggest increase. It jumped from the 35th spot in 2011 to finish 17th on this year's list, which ranks companies on the basis of revenue. Apple still hasn't climbed into the ranks of Exxon Mobil, Walmart or General Electric when it comes to cash flow, but in the tech world, only HP was ahead of Apple on the list.
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A Lot Rides on Unsettled Fair Use Question in Java Trial May 08, 2012 
The jury hearing the Oracle-Google copyright infringement and patent violation case rendered a partial verdict in the copyright phase of the trial on Monday. Although its findings appear to favor Oracle, the jury deadlocked on a key question about fair use, prompting Google attorneys to call for a mistrial. U.S. District Judge William Alsup will begin hearing arguments on the mistrial question on Tuesday, and expects to rule on the motion by Thursday.
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ACTA Runs Out of Gas in Europe May 08, 2012 
Today in international tech news: ACTA is essentially declared dead in Europe. Meanwhile, a journalist from The Guardian live-tweets his arrest in Moscow while covering -- or at least trying to cover -- the inauguration of Vladimir Putin. Elsewhere, Australia contemplates data collection on all Web-connected devices, and Lenovo unveils plans for a massive plant in China.
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Mixed Signals in IT's Great IP War May 08, 2012 
Recent news that Microsoft and Barnes & Noble agreed to partner on the Nook e-reader line rather than keep fighting suggests the prospect of fewer IP suits in the industry. However, the deal further obscures the blurry IP and patent landscape currently impacting both enterprise IT and consumer technology. It is good to see settlement. However, this settlment comes from the one conflict in this ongoing war that was actually shedding some light on the matter.
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Oracle v. Google, Round 1, May Be a Toss-Up May 07, 2012 
The jury hearing the Google-Oracle copyright violation and patent infringement case is expected to return a verdict on the first phase of the trial -- possibly a partial verdict -- as early as Monday. The jurors retreated to consider the charges last week, after attorneys for Oracle and Google delivered their final arguments.
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Google's Street View Closure: A Long and Winding Road May 04, 2012 
The U.S. Federal Communication Commission may have settled for a gentle slap to Google's wrist after investigating alleged violations of the federal Wiretrap Act via its Street View program, but Google's legal woes stemming from that issue are far from over. Europe reportedly is preparing to look at allegations that Google employees may have known the service would collect personal information.
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UK Officials Ponder Online Porn Plan May 04, 2012 
Today in international tech news: Online pornography is a hot topic in Europe, as the United Kingdom and European Commission each propose measures to block children from accessing adult content. Elsewhere, a new report forecasts how many Internet users China will have in three years, BlackBerry maker RIM continues its descent, and the EU plans its next step against Google.
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