Rights group tramples over EU e-commerce law

A consumer rights group has blocked an EU law that sought to simplify online shopping by 11 votes. The amendment, which sought to do away with conflicting trade laws within countries across the continent, would have meant that in a dispute consumers could only take up the case in the e-tailer's home nation. Otherwise the customer would be limited to an out-of-court settlement, or alternative dispute resolution (ADR), offered by the supplier. ...more

DIY phishing kits widely available on the Net

DIY phishing kits are being widely made available on the Internet warns the security company Sophos. 'Phishing' is the practice of duping people to reveal sensitive financial information by means of bogus websites and emails, often purporting to come from trusted sources. This development can only increase the incidence of attacks. ...more

Dutch try to head off last ditch attempt to ratify software directive

The controversial EU directive on software may still slip through according to sources in Brussels even though an influential EU Committee has said it should go back to the drawing board. Recently, the EU Committee on Legal Affairs Commission (JURI), recommended that the directive on computer-implemented inventions be restarted. But, the Council of Ministers may still get its draft ratified, if it turns up on the agenda of meetings scheduled before the European Commission decides whether or not to approve the decision of JURI. ...more

Interactive betting comes to Sky

If you're watching the racing and you fancy a flutter you soon won't have to bother going down the bookies, at least if you have Sky Digital. BSkyB has just signed a deal with Ladbrokes to bring interactive betting to its digital sports channels such as Sky Sports Extra. The service will be co-developed by the two firms. ...more

Opera opens for Windows Mobile

Opera has made its Mobile Web Browser available in beta form for the Windows Mobile Pocket PC platform. Version 8.5 (beta) of Opera Mobile Web browser runs on Windows Mobile 2003 and 5. ...more