Microsoft loses Eolas Supreme Court appeal

Microsoft has lost the latest round in its battle with the patents company Eolas. The Supreme Court in the US has decided not to hear a review of the case. The long running case concerns a patent by Eolas and the University of California that covers the use of applets in browsers. ...more

Domain kiting threat feared for .uk

UK Registry Nominet is hoping to suppress the appetite for 'domain-tasting' with new rules threatening to suspend access or terminate contracts with registrars that persist in the practice. 'Domain tasting', or 'domain kiting' involves the abuse of the systems of top-level domain Registries, which allow the deletion of domains registered in error because of a spelling mistake, for example. The system gives registrars a grace period in which domains can be deleted without being charged. ...more

EU accuses Microsoft of 'abusive behaviour' in server market

The EU's Competition Commissioner has again threatened Microsoft with heavy fines for failing, in her opinion, to meet its obligations under the 2004 ruling that it must disclose details of protocols that would enable products from other companies to interoperate with its workgroup servers. Neelie Kroes renewed concerns were prompted by statistics that showed that Microsoft's share of server market has risen to 75 per cent. In 1999, when the European Commission began its investigation, that figure stood at between 35 and 40 per cent, rising to 60 per cent by 2004. ...more

IBM supercomputer breaks own speed record

An IBM supercomputer already rated as the fastest in the world has overtaken its own speed record according to the US Energy Department. The record was achieved despite the fact that the computer in question is still only half built. An IBM Blue Gene/L currently under construction at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in California performed 135. ...more

Microsoft and Fiat turn ignition for in-car computing deal

Microsoft has jumped into the telematics driving seat with Fiat, in its biggest deal so far in this arena. The deal marks the first time Microsoft has worked directly with a car maker, and Fiats using the Microsoft Windows Automotive platform will hit showrooms as early as next year. Fiat's Lancia Thesis already uses the software, but the partnership will see a standardised version used in a number of Fiat lines, including all Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo models. ...more