Tougher anti-spyware legislation gets US approval

US lawmakers are looking to impose new requirements on software developers and advertisers to protect users from spyware. The House of Representatives has approved an anti-spyware bill that would require software distributors to clearly notify and obtain consent from consumers before programs can be loaded onto a computer. The bill passed on a vote of 368 to 48. ...more

FSP launches cool kit with hot looks

Aimed at those concerned with keeping their PCs cool and quiet, the FSP Group has announced the UK availability of its 'Cooling Kit'. For the colour conscious, the Cooling Kit consists of a 400W power supply (Maximum output 450W) with a dual colour coating (blue and yellow), a golden coloured fan guard and the FSP 120mm fan, which is illuminated with red, green and blue LED's. There are also two 80mm system fans available, for both Intel and AMD compatibility - the kits support Intel P4s up to 3. ...more

Norway rules iTunes DRM illegal

Norway's consumer ombudsman has ruled that Apple's Fairplay DRM, which restricts how tracks purchased on its iTunes Store can be played, is illegal. The ruling was prompted by a complaint from Forbrukerradet, the country's consumer rights body. It had claimed that restricting iTunes playback to just one kind of portable player, Apple's own iPod, violated Norwegian law. ...more

Europeans paying twice over for music downloads

UK music buyers are among a minority of Europeans who are not being charged twice for digital music. The Business Software Alliance has found that most Europeans are paying 'private copying' levies on digital equipment. The monies collected are going to record companies and other copyright holders as compensation for supposed lost income as a result of copying. ...more

Microsoft meets EU deadline for server documentation

Microsoft has met today's deadline for the submission of revised documentation on server interoperability, the European Commission has confirmed. Potential licensees of the server technology detailed will now evaluate whether the latest documentation contains the necessary information to allow the development of work group server operating system products that are fully interoperable with Microsoft software. The independent Monitoring Trustee, Professor Neil Barrett will also test the documentation in order to verify its accuracy and the commission will decide in due course whether or not Microsoft is in compliance with the requirements of the EU's March 2004 Decision: : that it provides complete and accurate technical documentation on server interface information and make that information available to licensees at a reasonable and non-discriminatory price. ...more