File sharing networks face patent claim

A US peer-to-peer tech company is hawking its patent portfolio around the file-sharing community looking for licensing deals. According to the Washington Post, Altnet Inc has mailed numerous companies claiming their services infringe patents around the use of hashing. The technology appends a unique hash code to files on these distributed networks. ...more

Sun steps closer to open source licence for Solaris

Sun has cleared a major hurdle in its bid to have its own licence accepted as open source. Last month Sun submitted its Community Development and Distribution License (CDDL) to the Open Source Initiative for approval as it there was no existing open source licence under which it was happy to distribute Solaris. In an email circular Chairman Russell Nelson announced that the CDDL had been recommended to receive official statement. ...more

Microsoft acquires security company Sybari

Microsoft is to acquire Sybari, a privately held security specialist dealing in antivirus, antispam, and messaging security. Financial information around the deal has not been disclosed, nor is there as yet any schedule for completing the acquisition of the New York-based company. Redmond says it intends to integrate Sybari technology across Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services as well as Microsoft Exchange. ...more

US Committee subpoenas HP employees

Two HP employees have been summoned to appear before the US Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to explain their part in the 'pretexting' scandal that has engulfed the board and tarnished HP's reputation. The two who directed the spying campaign against board members and journalists, are Anthony R. Gentilucci, in charge of Hewlett-Packard's global investigations and Kevin T. ...more

Net plugs gap in teaching

Birmingham city council has found a way around the teacher shortages - it is planning to use video-conferencing to link up classes. According to the authority, it has no option but to combine classes this way, otherwise pupils would have to be sent home. Existing technology will be used, so there will be little cost to the council. ...more