QuickTime to support high-definition DVD

Apple has welcomed the decision by the DVD Forum to ratify the H.264/Advanced Video Codec (AVC) as part of the forthcoming HD DVD format. The codec will be included in a future release of QuickTime. ...more

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How would you like to win a free subscription to PC Pro? Every month you'd receive a copy of the UK's best IT magazine delivered directly to you before it can be bought in the shops. All you have to do is tell us what you think of some ideas we have for articles we might publish in future issues of the magazine and your details will be put in a draw for one of ten free subscriptions*. To enter just click here. ...more

Gaggle-B worm is making a home in Outlook Express

A Spanish virus with antivirus disabling capabilities is on the Net. VBS/Gaggle-B is an email worm that harvests emails on the infected computer and sends itself on to them while creating an entry in the Registry to store information about successfully sent emails. Additionally, it sets Outlook Express to use an infected template so that all mail sent through the client will carry the worm. ...more

Microsoft urges restrictions on AOL/Time Warner merger

Microsoft has asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to impose stricter restrictions on the proposed AOL/Time Warner merger and that it be granted access to Time Warner's cable network. An FTC decision has already been delayed twice, and Microsoft's intervention at this point could be seen as a tit for tat action in response to AOL's attempt to enter the fray as a friend of court in Microsoft's ongoing antitrust case (although not a friend of Microsoft). Microsoft's concern is that the merged company would dominate the Internet market both in terms of access and content. ...more

European Commission refuses to rewrite patent directive

The European Commission has refused to rewrite a draft for a directive on 'computer-implemented' inventions, despite massive opposition. The current draft, put forward by Europe's Council of Ministers, was approved in May. But since then much of the original support for the draft has melted away, and it no longer has a majority in support. ...more