AOL UK invests in LLU

AOL UK is to invest up to ?120 million to install its own kit in telephone exchanges up and down the country. The aim is to take full advantage of the opportunities raised by local loop unbundling and offer telephony and other broadband related services, such as video on demand, TV over IP and online gaming to its subscribers. An initial ?50 million will be spent in the first half of this year installing equipment in 300 exchanges - mainly in the larger cities - and cover up to 20 per cent of the households in the UK. ...more

UK leads Europe for Web activity

According to a review of European net activity conducted by comScore, the UK is home to the most active online population in Europe. Users, on average, spend almost the equivalent of a working week (34.4 hours) on the web each month. ...more

Details of Real Microsoft handshake emerge

Microsoft and RealNetworks have put their differences aside and agreed a $761mn deal to collaborate in digital music and online gaming. As we reported yesterday Real has dropped all legal claims against Microsoft in return for which it will receive $301mn in cash plus promotional and marketing support of its Rhapsody music store and subscription service and the chance to supply online games through MSN Games and Xbox Live Arcade for the Xbox 360. Microsoft will recoup some of the cash payment through credits based on the number of subscribers that Real gains through MSN and Real has committed to 'taking steps' to support MSN Search. ...more

Apple wins case against Beatles' Apple label

Apple Computer has won its court case against The Beatles' Apple Corps. Judge Mr Justice Mann ruled that the use of the apple logo in the iTunes Music Store does not violate Apple Corps' trademark or breach a 1991 agreement between the two companies which established the extent to which Apple Computer could become involved in music related activities. Details will be released later. ...more

File sharing apps slammed for sharing too much - report

The US Patent Office has warned against the use of p2p filesharing applications that it claims could result in users inadvertently sharing personal and sensitive data. The USPTO's report on 'Filesharing Programs and Technological Features to Induce Others to Share' was prompted by the indictment of a gang that has used the LimeWire p2p software to 'access names and account information from personal and business accounts across the country, and then use that information to open new bank accounts in the Denver area'. Prosecutors allege that the gang intended to obtain methamphetamines and steal money and merchandise. ...more