ISPs slam attempts to reveal alleged file sharers

UK Internet service providers have slammed attempts by the music industry to persuade them to give up the identities of alleged file sharers. The Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA), an umbrella organisation for UK ISPs, described a letter by the BPI to two of its members, Tiscali and Bulldog, as 'detrimental to the spirit of co-operation' that the Internet industry wants to foster with the music business. While insisting that it does not support 'abuses of copyright and intellectual property theft', the ISPA said that its members would be acting outside the law if they co-operated with BPI demands. ...more

Microsoft guards access to interfaces against Free Software

Microsoft is taking a clever slant on its obligations under the EU ruling. While it is publishing its software interfaces - the information developers need to ensure their products interoperate properly with Microsoft's - it is doing so under a licence that bans the subsequent publishing of that information as Free Software. It is making it even more troublesome for companies that release software under Free Software licences, such as the GNU General Public Licence used for the Linux kernel, by fixing a 'per user' royalty payment within the agreement. ...more

Infogrames buys Hasbro Interactive

One of Europe's largest computer games companies has put a bid in for the ailing interactive arm of US toy group, Hasbro. The deal will mean that Infogrames will have access to over 200 games in the Hasbro range, including interactive versions of board games such as Monopoly, Scrabble and Boggle and toys such as Action Man, Mr Potato Head and the Tonka brand. Infogrames is paying $5 million in cash and $95 million in shares in the deal, which also includes Games. ...more

WebPad processing boost - UPDATED

National Semiconductor has introduced a new line of processors aimed at Internet appliances. The Geode SC3200 is intended for WebPad-type gadgets and integrates four different chips - the system processor (the same as the older GX1); a video processor; a memory controller; and an I/O controller. The company has also launched the Geode SC1200 and SC2200. ...more

Chinese teacher gaoled for online democratic leanings

A teacher has been gaoled for 10 years in China for criticising his government online. The man was found guilty of 'subversion of state power' after posting a number of essays on the Internet, including one entitled 'The Road to Democracy', reports Reuters. Ren Ziyuan, aged 27, was found guilty and sentenced by the Jining Intermediate People's Court in the eastern province of Shandong, according to the news agency. ...more