US file sharers face five years in prison

The US is set pass a bill that puts a five year sentence on those making 1,000 or more copyrighted media files available for upload across peer-to-peer networks. The Piracy Deterrence and Education Act (PDEA) has been approved by the House Judiciary Committee, reports the Washington Post, putting the legislation up for debate to the full House in Congress. If passed into law, the terms would make those with 1,000 or more infringing files available on file-sharing networks liable to face prison terms of up to five years if done for financial gain - three years in other cases. ...more

BT launches SDSL availability checker

BT has set-up an availability checker for its new SDSL broadband services. SDSL services were launched this week, and are currently available through 100 exchanges, rising to 150 by January 2004. The availability checker is accompanied by some brief notes outlining several basic conditions of the service. ...more

Corporal punishment for mobile users

If you think using a mobile phone in a public place is a nuisance, then you should move to Saudi Arabia where they take a very dim view on such behaviour. The Al-Eqtisadiyah newspaper has recently reported on how an army officer has been sentenced by a Saudi court to seventy lashes for using his mobile phone while on an aeroplane. The court ruled that the man had jeopardised the lives of the passengers and crew with his inconsiderate behaviour, even though he had been asked by cabin staff to switch the phone off. ...more

Intel chief believes future lies in communications

The CEO of Intel, Craig Barrett, has expressed his desire to see Intel's PC microprocessor business overtaken by its communications business within five years... ...more

HP's new office kits

Hewlett-Packard has announced a new range of all-in-one devices: the OfficeJet d-Series. Aimed at the SOHO market, the four new products combine printer, scanner and copier, with three of them also adding a fax to the roster. There are some nice features to ensure smooth and efficient operation, such as individual ink cartridges and print heads, making it economic and easy to replace them. ...more