UK PTO workshop divides lawyers and engineers over patents

The extent of the division between attorneys and software engineers over software patents was crystallised at a series of workshops run by the UK Patent Office. Delegates comprised a mix of patent attorneys and software engineers and were tasked with testing a number of patent applications against different definitions of the 'technical contribution' criteria. It is this test that determines the approval of software patents in current law and within the formative CII directive on the issue at the EU. ...more

AMD to cease branding processors with xHz rating

New models will instead be named after Pentium 4-based performance ratings. AMD will launch future Athlon processors using a model name rather than the usual clock speed rating. The model naming convention will be defined by the equivalent speed of an Intel Pentium 4 processor, according to Tom's Hardware Guide. ...more

Apple's Intel-based Macs to include Rosetta technology

Apple embraces Intel and spurns PowerPC platform Apple's new Intel-based Macs will include a technology called Rosetta, which will enable them to run PowerPC applications on the Intel processors. Named after the Rosetta Stone, this will be the key element in ensuring as seamless a transition as possible. Unlike Classic - Apple's technology for running OS 9-compatible applications in OS X - Rosetta will be transparent to the user, although applications which rely upon it will not run as efficiently as they would if compiled for the new Intel platform. ...more

Bulldog expanding SDSL broadband coverage

Bulldog has announced that it is expanding the coverage of its SDSL broadband service, following BT's decision to increase its SDSL footprint. Bulldog will extend availability to 150 exchanges, a combination of its own in Central London and BT's in the major metropolitan areas. Further information is available from www. ...more

Patching Office XP

Microsoft releases the second service pack for the Office XP suite. The extensive package of bug releases is apparently designed to increase performance as well as security. However, while various European, Hebrew and Arabic versions have been made avaiable, the English language update has yet to officially appear. ...more