US retail group advises retailers SCO lawsuit appears 'unfounded'

US retail group the National Retail Federation has advised its members to ignore SCO threats, saying it expects retailers that use Linux will survive any litigation from the Unix company. In a statement NRF CIO Dave Hogan said he believed the SCO's claims 'are without merit' and that it has so far failed to specify 'which parts of Unix System V have been copied into Linux'. Recently, SCO has filed lawsuits against car companies AutoZone and DaimlerChrysler for what SCO contends is an illegal use of its intellectual property in Unix and Linux. ...more

Details of Real Microsoft handshake emerge

Microsoft and RealNetworks have put their differences aside and agreed a $761mn deal to collaborate in digital music and online gaming. As we reported yesterday Real has dropped all legal claims against Microsoft in return for which it will receive $301mn in cash plus promotional and marketing support of its Rhapsody music store and subscription service and the chance to supply online games through MSN Games and Xbox Live Arcade for the Xbox 360. Microsoft will recoup some of the cash payment through credits based on the number of subscribers that Real gains through MSN and Real has committed to 'taking steps' to support MSN Search. ...more

Music majors explore new horizons

Having finally woken up to the potential of the Internet to get new musicians heard by a large number of people at little cost, the music majors are now using the medium to try and promote newer artists by offering fans an attractive new proposition - MP3 versions of albums with no DRM attached. First out of the gate is the new album from tweenie heart throb Jesse McCartney. Yahoo! Music is offering the album 'Right Where You Want Me' for download in either MP3 or WMA format for $9. ...more

Sun opens code for Looking Glass desktop and other Java tools

Sun has said it will open source the code behind the much-hyped 3D Looking Glass three-dimensional desktop. It is expected to be formally announced at the company's JavaOne conference, which kicks off today in San Francisco. But on a mailing list for the 3D desktop, Kevin Rushforth of Advanced Development Graphics Group revealed on Friday that Java code powering the desktop would be made available under a number of 'open' licences. ...more

Warner Music to announce digital plans

Warner Music is expected to announce plans to sell digital music from a number of its artists. Starting in November, the company plans to make over 100 songs available, from artists such as Barenaked Ladies and Paul Simon. An insider source has revealed to Reuters that in the following months Warner Music may offer thousands of digitised albums from the likes of Phil Collins, REM and Madonna. ...more