Crazy Frog company fined ?40,000

The company that has inflicted the 'Crazy Frog' ringtone on the world has been fined ?40,000. The premium phone rate watchdog ICSTIS imposed the fine on mBlox after a Hearing Panel found that customers who thought they were making a one off payment for the ringtone were, in fact, signing up to a five pound a week subscription service. ICSTIS says it has received 338 complaints about the service from customers who claim they were duped into signing up for a subscription. ...more

Bush administration gets tough on downloaders

The US Justice Department has proposed new legislation that could put music or movie shares in gaol. The law would criminalise the unauthorised copying of copyrighted material and would also enable prosecutions of people who try, but fail, to make copies of intellectual property including music, movies and software. It would also allow the seizure of assets acquired with the profits from sales of copied content. ...more

Apple and Samsung fall out on memory deal

A possible deal between Apple and Samsung to produce NAND flash memory chips has fallen through after Apple reportedly pulled out. The Korea Times newspaper said that Apple decided to withdraw after Korean authorities said they were considering an investigation into allegations of unfair pricing practices by Samsung. Neither party was prepared to say why the discussions were curtailed. ...more

Microsoft employees call for Ballmer to go

Microsoft employees are arguing among themselves over who is to blame for the delay in the launch of Windows Vista. One disgruntled insider named Who da'Punk voiced his feelings in a blog posting under the heading 'Vista 2007. Fire the leadership now!'. ...more

HP unveils new blade range

HP has announced a new 'c-Class' of blade servers that, the company says, tackles the main problem areas of energy consumption and heat emission and system complexity and management. The aim being to cut costs in the data management department while providing increased adaptability as the business expands. The c-Class is the replacement system for the current P Class blade systems that HP is planning to phase out by 2007. ...more