Stelios coughs up for the BPI

The British Phonographic Institute (BPI), representing the UK record industry, has settled its ?1m copyright infringement case with EasyInternetCaf?. The settlement amounts to ?210,000, which includes ?80,000 in compensation and the remainder in BPIs' legal fees. EasyGroup chairman Stelios said of the deflated figure: 'They've settled for a 92 per cent reduction. ...more

Firefox security hole reported

Firefox users have been alerted to a potential security flaw in the open source browser. The news will come as an embarrassment to the developers who have just released a beta of version 1.5 which is intended to address a number of security issues. ...more

Dutch try to head off last ditch attempt to ratify software directive

The controversial EU directive on software may still slip through according to sources in Brussels even though an influential EU Committee has said it should go back to the drawing board. Recently, the EU Committee on Legal Affairs Commission (JURI), recommended that the directive on computer-implemented inventions be restarted. But, the Council of Ministers may still get its draft ratified, if it turns up on the agenda of meetings scheduled before the European Commission decides whether or not to approve the decision of JURI. ...more

US movie industry seeks cinema ban on recording equipment

The US movie industry is pushing for legislation that would make it illegal to take recording equipment into a cinema. A bill is currently being considered that would set a maximum $1,000 fine and a year in prison. Currently anyone caught videotaping a movie can be fined no more than $250. ...more

Palm unveils compact laptop device

Palm has introduced its long-awaited 'third product', a compact portable computer to accompany its Treo smartphone. The new Foleo is about the size of a hardcover book and, at around 1.1kg, half the weight of other small laptop computers. ...more