RealNetworks hits million subscribers but posts a loss

RealNetworks has posted its results for the first quarter, to the tuned of a $2.8m loss. Revenues of $46. ...more

AOL and Time Warner given green light by EU

European competition officials have given the all clear for the proposed merger between AOL and Time Warner with a number of conditions. Industry experts had predicted the merger would go ahead after the EMI/Time Warner merger broke down under opposition from the EU. The new company will have a combined stock market value of $245bn, benefiting from AOL's ISP dominance and Time Warner's media content production and broadband cable networks. ...more

Gowers considered cutting copyright lifespan

Andrew Gowers has revealed that he considered cutting the 50-year copyright limit on sound recordings in his government-sponsored review of UK intellectual property laws and only decided to recommend that the status quo be retained because it was 'politically prudent' to do so. Gowers told the Out-law podcast that, rather than concede the music industry's demand for longer protection up to 95 years, evidence submitted to the review suggested that there was a strong case for deciding that 50 years is too long. 'We certainly considered it, and if you look at the report that came from the academics that we commissioned to examine the arguments and examine the evidence they also argued very robustly that 50 years could be arguably more than enough,' Gowers said. ...more

Dell profits boosted in wake of HP-Compaq merger

Dell has revealed its third quarter financial results and the figures read well for the Texan computer manufacturer. Despite tough times for the IT industry, it has prospered in the desktop and server market. Dell, of course, specialises in built-to order machines sold through direct sales. ...more

Timms says 100 per cent broadband for all by 2005

E-commerce Minister Stephen Timms has set a target of 2005 year end for broadband to be available to everyone. Speaking at the Cambridge MIT Institute's Competitiveness Summit in Newcastle, Timms said: To ensure the competitiveness of our economy, broadband needs to be available to as many people as possible as soon as possible. 'Broadband is now available to 80 per cent of UK households, and that is certain to rise to 90 per cent next year. ...more