Microsoft guards access to interfaces against Free Software

Microsoft is taking a clever slant on its obligations under the EU ruling. While it is publishing its software interfaces - the information developers need to ensure their products interoperate properly with Microsoft's - it is doing so under a licence that bans the subsequent publishing of that information as Free Software. It is making it even more troublesome for companies that release software under Free Software licences, such as the GNU General Public Licence used for the Linux kernel, by fixing a 'per user' royalty payment within the agreement. ...more

Scottish minnow trumps Seattle leviathan

Front Page, a Scottish graphic design agency, is celebrating victory in its five-year legal struggle with Microsoft for the right to continue to use its name, which is shared with the Web design application. A hearing at the Trade Mark Registry in London ruled that Microsoft's objections to the agency's name were unfounded and ordered the US company to pay the Scots' five figure legal bill. Microsoft had objected to the Scottish company's use of the Front Page name in conjunction with its Web site design activities, but the hearing determined that the company had established the right to use the name before Microsoft introduced its Front Page software in the UK. ...more

New attorney to lead case against Microsoft

The US Department of Justice has appointed Philip Beck to lead its ongoing litigation against Microsoft. Beck - who was involved in the legal challenges over the Florida Presidential recount (successfully, on George W. Bush's side) - replaces David Boies who previously lead the DOJ's case. ...more

Court decision buys Microsoft way out

Yesterday's decision by the Supreme Court to send the Microsoft antitrust case to a lower court first will give the software giant time to expand out of its core OS and application business. This is a key tactical victory for founder Bill Gates as it reduces the likelihood of a ruling to split up the company. The US Government wanted arguments on breaking up the company heard this winter, but justices voted against this by eight to one. ...more

Apple stores shoot down shuffle whisperers

Reports of the demise of the iPod shuffle appear to have been exaggerated. The 1GB version of the diminutive portable music player has reappeared on the US Apple Store. Its brief absence, Apple explains, was simply due to the fact that it sold out over Christmas and supplies are still limited. ...more