OSWALD Newsletter Archives (by issue #, click to view)
The Open Source Law Weekly Digest or OSWALD first launched late in 2002. Since then it has been regularly providing updates on all things open source related. The focus of this newsletter is on business, rather than technical developments in open source. Another strong component of the newsletter is IP news, as it is of interest to me and has an effect on open source.
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Welcome to the Open Source Law Weekly Open Source Digest (OSWALD)
... and welcome back from our long break! Because the break has been quite long, the backlog of stories to get through has also been quite long - over 450 (which is why this report is unusually long). Most noteworthy is the recent news that reddit founder Aaron Swartz was found dead, apparently having committed suicide in response to his having accessed and released some academic journal articles and having consequently been treated like a mass murderer by prosecutors.
Lots of year in review/year in prospect stories (under YIR/YIP). Also garnering attention is a decision by the FTC to settle with Google (although strictly off topic so moved to bottom before snippets), and Ubuntu being released for mobile phones.
There are lots of interesting Government/Policy stories, including a number of stories where governments are engaging with the open source community to produce new work or update existing software. This is the time of year for more thoughtful pieces, so take a little extra time to meander through the policy section.
*From my blog: http://brendanscott.wordpress.com/2012/11/16/ip-issues-paper-42-costs/
http://brendanscott.wordpress.com/2012/11/16/ip-issues-paper-42-moral-rights/
http://brendanscott.wordpress.com/2012/11/16/ip-issues-paper-42-reflecting-the-views-of-owners/
http://brendanscott.wordpress.com/2012/11/16/ip-issues-paper-42-after-markets/
http://brendanscott.wordpress.com/2012/11/16/ip-issues-paper-42-reframing-the-owners/
http://brendanscott.wordpress.com/2012/11/04/corporate-structures-for-free-software-projects/
http://brendanscott.wordpress.com/2012/11/02/uk-cabinet-office-releases-open-standards-principles/
http://brendanscott.wordpress.com/2012/06/07/open-source-law-releases-report-on-open-standards/
Verbatim distribution with attribution ok.
Other distribution - email me.
Regards
Brendan
***** Open Standards/ODF
EU FRAND Report Signals Problems http://blogs.computerworlduk.com/simon-says/2013/01/frand-report-useful-signal-for-problems/index.htm
This was a shameful set-up job to ensure there would be a plausible-looking statement on the public record. Its purpose: propagating the strawman needed to defend procurement policies that require permission to be sought from a commercial power-broker.
***** Other
YIR/YIP http://www.linux.com/learn/docs/682469-the-5-most-important-linux-projects-of-2012
http://www.datamation.com/open-source/open-source-software-the-mega-list-1.html
http://www.linuxplanet.com/news/the-linux-kernel-in-2012.html
http://www.zdnet.com/2012s-top-five-linux-stories-with-one-big-conclusion-7000009190/
http://www.thevarguy.com/2012/12/31/five-biggest-open-source-developments-in-2012/
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2023288/make-2013-the-year-you-switch-to-linux.html
http://www.practicalecommerce.com/blogs/post/1006-2012-Trends-and-2013-Predictions-for-Open-Source-eCommerce
http://www.zdnet.com/2013-the-year-of-the-ubuntu-linux-tablet-and-smartphone-7000009254/
http://lwn.net/SubscriberLink/531082/76e47002de71bcfc/
http://opensource.com/life/13/1/open-source-design-tools-review-2012
http://larrythefreesoftwareguy.wordpress.com/2013/01/06/2013-the-year-of/
I must agree with my colleague Katherine Noyes, who calls Raspberry Pi one of the top innovations of the year.
***** Off Topic
Official Statement from the family and partner of Aaron Swartz http://rememberaaronsw.tumblr.com/post/40372208044/official-statement-from-the-family-and-partner-of-aaron
http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/philg/2013/01/12/aaron-swartz/
http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/www-tag/2013Jan/0017.html
http://lessig.tumblr.com/post/40347463044/prosecutor-as-bully
http://boingboing.net/2013/01/12/rip-aaron-swartz.html
http://tech.mit.edu/V132/N61/swartz.html
Aaron’s death is not simply a personal tragedy. It is the product of a criminal justice system rife with intimidation and prosecutorial overreach. Decisions made by officials in the Massachusetts U. S. Attorney’s office and at MIT contributed to his death. The US Attorney’s office pursued an exceptionally harsh array of charges, carrying potentially over 30 years in prison, to punish an alleged crime that had no victims. Meanwhile, unlike JSTOR, MIT refused to stand up for Aaron and its own community’s most cherished principles. Today, we grieve for the extraordinary and irreplaceable man that we have lost.
China tightens 'Great Firewall' internet control with new technology http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/dec/14/china-tightens-great-firewall-internet-control
http://www.techinasia.com/china-new-internet-law-legalizes-post-deletion/
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-china-internet-censorship-20121228,0,6368633.story
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20121228/as-china-internet-controls/?utm_hp_ref=green&ir=green
http://english.sina.com/china/2012/1228/542944.html
A number of companies providing "virtual private network" (VPN) services to users in China say the new system is able to "learn, discover and block" the encrypted communications methods used by a number of different VPN systems.
Behind closed doors at the UN's attempted "takeover of the Internet" http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/12/behind-closed-doors-at-the-uns-attempted-takeover-of-the-internet/
Though the world had been assured that WCIT would not attempt to mount a “UN takeover of the Internet,” that was in many ways what happened.
Curiosity Self-Portrait: Rover Snaps Stunning Selfie In Front Of Martian Mountain http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/28/curiosity-self-portrait-mars-mountain_n_2376649.html
The image shows Curiosity surrounded by the tracks of its wheels, with the 3-mile-high (5 kilometers) Mount Sharp rising into the sky in the distance.
Congress Defeats E-Mail Privacy Legislation — Again http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/12/congress-caves-privacy/
While lawmakers were caving to special interests, however, they cut from the legislative package language requiring the authorities to get a warrant to read your e-mail or other data stored in the cloud.
Health-care sector vulnerable to hackers, researchers say http://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/health-care-sector-vulnerable-to-hackers-researchers-say/2012/12/25/72933598-3e50-11e2-ae43-cf491b837f7b_story.html
“I have never seen an industry with more gaping security holes,” said Avi Rubin, a computer scientist and technical director of the Information Security Institute at Johns Hopkins University.
Hearing aids, lasers, and the artificial larynx: inside AT&T's surprising archives http://www.theverge.com/2013/1/3/3827658/at-t-archives-century-of-history-telstar-to-artificial-larynx
The facility, a beige warehouse with only a small sign indicating its importance, houses more than 10,000 artifacts. There are also 10,000 films and videos and over a million photos, all of which Kupczak spends his days exploring and cataloguing. He’s the go-to guy for scholars, writers, filmmakers — anyone interested in the story of AT&T. “For the most part, it’s a nice gig,” he says with a laugh.
EU lawmakers seek to limit use of data by internet firms http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/09/us-eu-dataprotection-idUSBRE9080BC20130109?feedType=RSS&feedName=businessNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+reuters/businessNews+%28Business+News%29
Internet companies such as Facebook and Google may have to get more permission to use information if European Union lawmakers give users more control over their personal data.
FOSS Movie Trailer Features Linus Torvalds Dissing Apple http://ostatic.com/blog/foss-movie-trailer-features-linus-torvalds-dissing-apple
You can watch an interesting trailer for one on Indiegogo, where the filmmakers are seeking to raise $150,000 to finish the film. The filmmakers have already interviewed many open source pundits, and the trailer includes a few notable comments, including a large swipe at Apple from Linus Torvalds.
MakerPlane: Open source takes flight in aviation http://opensource.com/life/13/1/open-source-aviation-makerplane
Their mission is to "create innovative and game-changing aircraft, avionics and related systems and the transformational manufacturing processes to build them. "
***** Government/Policy
DARPA and Defense Department look to a more open source future http://radar.oreilly.com/2012/12/darpa-big-data-military-open-source-agile.html
In his remarks, James E. “Hoss” Cartwright, a four-star general who retired from the United States Marine Corps in August 2011, outlined a strategic need to make military technology more modular, based upon open standards and adaptable on the battlegrounds of the future.
Rob Reid: The $8 billion iPod http://www.ted.com/talks/rob_reid_the_8_billion_ipod.html
Because this isn't just the hypothetical retail value of some pirated movies that we're talking about, but this is actual economic losses. This is the equivalent to the entire American corn crop failing along with all of our fruit crops, as well as wheat, tobacco, rice, sorghum -- whatever sorghum is -- losing sorghum. [OSL: reported on a while ago, but still entertaining]
Just a millionaire? AngelList and SecondMarket pave the path for ‘micro-venture investing’ http://venturebeat.com/2012/12/19/just-a-millionaire-angellist-and-secondmarket-pave-the-path-for-micro-venture-investing/
]We reported last month that SecondMarket and AngelList had hatched a plan to let accredited investors make small-dollar investments — as low as $1,000 — in Silicon Valley technology startups. Today, we learned that the experiment has been declared a success and that this partnership will continue with a new batch of hot startups.
Smashwords' Big Year (and what it means for authors) http://www.consortiuminfo.org/standardsblog/article.php?story=20130101122923181
If you haven't checked in on eBook publisher Smashwords (SW) lately, you're in for a surprise. The little business that Mark Coker started five years ago is now the biggest publisher of eBooks around. And you don't have to take his word for it - a Bowker press release in October reached the same conclusion.
2012: The year Irish newspapers tried to destroy the web http://www.mcgarrsolicitors.ie/2012/12/30/2012-the-year-irish-newspapers-tried-to-destroy-the-web/
http://www.mondaynote.com/2013/01/06/linking-scraping-vs-copyright/
This year the Irish newspaper industry asserted, first tentatively and then without any equivocation, that links -just bare links like this one- belonged to them. They said that they had the right to be paid to be linked to. They said they had the right to set the rates for those links, as they had set rates in the past for other forms of licensing of their intellectual property. And then they started a campaign to lobby for unauthorised linking to be outlawed.
ISP Walks Out of Piracy Talks: “We’re Not The Internet Police” [AU] http://torrentfreak.com/isp-walks-out-of-piracy-talks-were-not-the-internet-police-121217/
A leading Australian Internet service provider has pulled out of negotiations to create a warning notice scheme aimed at reducing online piracy. iiNet, the ISP that was sued by Hollywood after refusing to help chase down alleged infringers, said that it can’t make any progress with righthsolders if they don’t make their content freely available at a reasonable price. The ISP adds that holding extra data on customers’ habits is inappropriate and not their responsibility.
Venture capital didn't build that http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-janeway-innovation-govt-investment-20121227,0,7793938.story
Why has it been in the world of information technology and, secondarily, biomedicine that venture capitalists have been successful? In brief: Only in these sectors did the state invest at sufficient scale in scientific research and in its translation to working technology. In over 40 years as a working venture capitalist, I learned that my colleagues and I and the entrepreneurs whom we backed were all dancing on a platform constructed by the federal government.
Google Muscles in on Microsoft’s Turf http://blogs.wsj.com/cio/2012/12/26/google-muscles-in-on-microsofts-turf/?mod=google_news_blog
One key to Google’s success is pricing. Shaw Industries, a carpet maker in Dalton, Ga. , switched to Google Apps this year after Jim Nielsen, the company’s manager of enterprise technology, calculated that using Google instead of similar Microsoft products would cost, over seven years, about one-thirteenth Microsoft’s price. Apart from the lower price, Nielsen tells Hardy he had to sort through 11 pricing models to figure out what he would pay Microsoft.
Rebuilding the Web We Lost http://dashes.com/anil/2012/12/rebuilding-the-web-we-lost.html
As is obvious from the responses I've gotten, many, many people care about a social web that honors certain human and creative values.
Tablet as teacher: Poor Ethiopian kids learn ABCs http://www.caller.com/news/2012/dec/24/tablet-teacher-poor-ethiopian-kids-learn-abcs/
The key to their success: 20 tablet computers dropped off in their Ethiopian village in February by a group called One Laptop Per Child.
Genetically Monetized Food http://www.slate.com/articles/life/food/2012/12/plant_patent_law_why_overhauling_it_will_do_more_to_help_the_food_movement.html
Here’s why: GM foods’ effect on health is uncertain, but their effect on farmers, scientists, and the marketplace is clear. Some GM foods may be healthy, others not; every genetic modification is different. But every GM food becomes dangerous—not to health, but to society—when it can be patented.
Consumers blindsided by secret settlements in hi-tech patent lawsuits http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-scheer/apple-htc-settlement_b_2296207.html
Although this settlement, covering some 50 lawsuits, will have a direct impact -- almost certainly painful -- on millions of American consumers, and many more around the world, you can't find out the settlement's terms. Why not?
Integreen Brings Open Source Traffic Monitoring To Italy http://www.thepowerbase.com/2012/12/open-source-traffic-monitoring-debuts-in-italy/
By using the latest technology and banking on open source software, Integreen hopes to provide the city management with enough traffic and environmental data to help them more effectively implement environmentally conscience programs such as mass transit.
Library of Congress digs in to full archive of 170 billion tweets http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57562210-93/library-of-congress-digs-in-to-full-archive-of-170-billion-tweets/
Under an agreement struck between the government institution and Twitter in 2010, the microblogging company is providing the Library of Congress with a full stream of all public tweets, starting with 21 billion generated from between 2006 and April 2010, and now supplemented with about 150 billion more posted since then.
Online? You May Be Subject to US Laws http://thetyee.ca/Mediacheck/2013/01/08/US-Online-Laws/
Is the use of a computer server enough to assert jurisdiction over a non-resident? Two recent cross-border cases -- one Canadian and one U. S. which both pitted a U. S. company against a Canadian individual -- found that it is.
Access denied http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2013/01/public-domain
The centre does, however, temper the elation with an important caveat: while much of the rest of the world may take cheer from mass migration of material to the public domain each year, America has not seen one since the 1970s, nor will it until 2019.
Help a US gov't agency switch to open source, win $3 million http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/01/11/veterans_affairs_open_source_contest/
But VistA is long in the tooth, and years of government bureaucracy have caused its development to stagnate. By reinventing VistA as community-maintained open source software, the VA hopes to gain the benefits of faster updates and higher-quality code, without all the red tape.
Buffy vs Edward Remix Unfairly Removed by Lionsgate http://www.rebelliouspixels.com/2013/buffy-vs-edward-remix-unfairly-removed-by-lionsgate
Despite the clear and rather unambiguous fair use argument that exists for the video, Lionsgate Entertainment has now abused YouTube’s system and filed a DMCA takedown and had my remix deleted for “copyright infringement”. Below is a brief chronicle of my struggle to get Buffy vs Edward back on YouTube where it belongs.
Introducing AutoRip http://www.amazon.com/b/?node=5946775011
Buy a CD, instantly get the MP3 version for FREE.
JSTOR begins offering free yet limited access to its online academic library http://www.theverge.com/2013/1/9/3857628/jstor-opens-up-limited-free-access-to-its-digital-library
In exchanges for free access, users will have to enter their personal details at signup that will be shared with JSTOR along with its partners, giving them insight as to who’s reading specific material.
Senator Wyden lays out “digital freedom” agenda http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/01/senator-wyden-lays-out-digital-freedom-agenda-at-ces/
Government's main role in technology should be to stop incumbent companies who try to "hotwire" the system, said Wyden. "Not infrequently, they seek out special help from the government—while claiming they want a marketplace that doesn't favor government intervention. "
Barclays cuts software spending by 90 percent with Linux http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2234661/barclays-cuts-software-spending-by-90-percent-with-open-source
http://www.techweekeurope.co.uk/news/barclays-cloud-open-source-103349
Barclays said it has reduced IT spending for software development by 90 percent by moving to an internal private cloud environment and using open source Linux software.
Republican staffer fired for copyright memo talks to Ars http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/01/republican-staffer-fired-for-copyright-memo-talks-to-ars/
RSC executive director Paul Teller said he spiked the memo because it had been published "without adequate review. " But Khanna says his memo went through exactly the same review process as other RSC publications. "There was nothing particularly unusual about this memo," he told us.
How Walt Disney Cashes In on Corporate Welfare http://reason.com/archives/2013/01/06/how-walt-disney-cashes-in-on-corporate-w
The film credit, first introduced in the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, allows production companies to deduct the first $15 million in filming costs from taxes, $20 million if the project is completed in a low-income community, according to the IRS.
Coreboot: the Solution to the Secure Boot Fiasco http://beginlinux.com/blog/2012/12/tlwir-51-coreboot-the-solution-to-the-secure-boot-fiasco/
http://www.thevarguy.com/2013/01/03/free-software-foundation-vs-microsoft-windows-8-secure-boot/
Coreboot is a free software replacement for the BIOS currently found in most computers. It is also a better alternative than UEFI/secure boot because it gives the owner of a computer the freedom to do whatever they want.
Report: NASA open source project slowed by commercial vendor http://www.h-online.com/open/news/item/Report-NASA-open-source-project-slowed-by-commercial-vendor-1777755.html
NASA logo A project to move NASA's content management system to an open-source-based architecture has been slowed down because of a bid protest by a proprietary vendor, according to a report by Frank Konkel in FCW.
Darpa Open Sources Code for Building Your Own Amphibious Tank http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2013/01/darpa-fang/
The DoD’s forward-thinking Darpa group plans to release open-source software that will let anyone design and run virtual tests on their own swimming tank.
Canadian Tax Collectors Solve Mystery of Open Source Government http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2013/01/wet/
But over the past three years, coders at this slightly obscure Canadian government agency have produced something that’s pretty rare in government: a hit open source project.
***** Patent/CR/DRM News+Policy
Antitrust: Commission sends Statement of Objections to Samsung http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-12-1448_en.htm
The European Commission has informed Samsung of its preliminary view that Samsung's seeking of injunctions against Apple in various Member States on the basis of its mobile phone standard-essential patents ("SEPs") amounts to an abuse of a dominant position prohibited by EU antitrust rules.
Italian authorities fine Apple another $264K over product warranties http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/12/21/italian-authorities-fine-apple-another-264k-over-product-warranties
The Italian Antitrust Authority deemed that Apple did not provide adequate information to customers about the length of product guarantees, because local laws require companies to protect buyers with a free two-year warranty.
More freedoms to use copyrighted works: it's not the end of the world http://www.openrightsgroup.org/blog/2012/more-freedoms-to-use-copyright-works:-its-not-the-end-of-the-world
There has been some of the usual alarmist bluster in response already - for example, ITN have suggested the proposals will 'irrevocably dismantle the UK’s intellectual property framework'.
Here We Go Again: Apple's Pinch-To-Zoom Patent Rejected On Re-Exam http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20121219/17584521445/here-we-go-again-apples-pinch-to-zoom-patent-rejected-re-exam.shtml
http://www.dailytech.com/Another+Key+Apple+Patent+Pinch+to+Zoom+is+Rejected+by+USPTO/article29463.htm
http://readwrite.com/2012/12/20/another-apple-patent-gets-smacked-down-and-its-thermonuclear-war-becomes-even-more-of-a-farce
The latest news is that, upon re-exam, the Patent Office has now rejected all 21 claims in Apple's infamous "pinch to zoom" 7,844,915 patent. Apple and patent enthusiasts will rightly point out that this is just the first step in the process -- Apple still can and will appeal, and it's very likely that the Patent Office will eventually allow some (perhaps modified) form of the patent to live on.
CLS Bank v. Alice Corp: Software Patentability On the Briefs http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2012/12/file-attachment-bsa-software-alliance-iso-clspdf-169-kb.html
A method of exchanging obligations as between parties, each party holding a credit record and a debit record with an exchange institution, the credit records and debit records for exchange of predetermined obligations, the method comprising the steps of:
Apple appeals ruling over Samsung ban http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2012/12/20/apple-samsung-iphone-ipad-patents/1783017/
The highly anticipated move comes after U. S. District Court Judge Lucy Koh late Monday rejected Apple's request, stating the company has not been able to show that Samsung's actions support a ban of its products.
Judge dings Apple 'app store' claim vs. Amazon http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57561622-37/judge-dings-apple-app-store-claim-vs-amazon/
In an order today, U. S. District Court Judge Phyllis Hamilton granted Amazon's motion for a summary judgment to remove a part of the complaint that involved false advertising claims against it.
Patent trolls want $1,000—for using scanners http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/01/patent-trolls-want-1000-for-using-scanners/
When Steven Vicinanza got a letter in the mail earlier this year informing him that he needed to pay $1,000 per employee for a license to some “distributed computer architecture” patents, he didn’t quite believe it at first. The letter seemed to be saying anyone using a modern office scanner to scan documents to e-mail would have to pay—which is to say, just about any business, period.
Apple Granted a Patent for the Original iPad & Smart Cover http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2013/01/apple-granted-a-patent-for-the-original-ipad-smart-cover.html
When designing the original iPad, Apple wanted to avoid the design flaws that were commonly associated with past attempts at a tablet PC. Apple didn't want users to see undesirable seams and gaps or the use of any kind of screw, bolt or rivet to mar the design.
Countdown to March 16, 2013 http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2012/12/countdown-to-march-16-2013.html
New patent applications filed three months from now will fall under the US new First-to-File regime created by the America Invents Act of 2011. Those applications will no longer be able to claim invention-date priority, will have much more limited pre-filing grace period, will be subject to prior user rights and broad post-grant review, and can be invalidated by public uses and sales of similar inventions in foreign countries.
Carnegie Mellon v. Marvell - Another 1B Verdict http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2012/12/carnegie-mellon-v-marvell-another-1b-verdict.html
http://www.marvell.com/company/news/pressDetail.do?releaseID=3296
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/12/jury-slams-marvell-with-mammoth-1-17-billion-patent-verdict/
Marvell's stock price plunged about 10% following news that a jury had awarded well over $1 billion patent infringement verdict to Carnegie Mellon University.
New Zealand's largest paper calls Kim Dotcom “good for this country” http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/12/new-zealands-largest-paper-calls-kim-dotcom-good-for-this-country/
The New Zealand Herald, the country's largest daily newspaper, has been following Dotcom's wild ride throughout it all. Today, the outlet published an editorial calling Dotcom "good for the country," both for the man's flair and his role in exposing politician John Banks and the ACT party.
ITC judge recommends ban on Samsung devices infringing on Apple patents http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/12/itc-judge-recommends-ban-on-samsung-devices-infringing-on-apple-patents/
On Friday the ITC filed a redacted version of a remedy suggested by ITC Administrative Law Judge Thomas Pender, in which he recommended a ban be enforced against Samsung products that were found to infringe upon four Apple patents.
Global Patent Chaos Creates Unwinnable Game for Mobile Tech Giants http://www.eweek.com/mobile/global-patent-chaos-creates-unwinnable-game-for-mobile-tech-giants
Apple was supposed to have won big in the suit against Samsung in a massive series of claims of patent infringement. This was the apparent result of a jury verdict last August in which there were charges of attorney misconduct, juror misconduct and trial errors before the ink was dry on the decision. But a few weeks later, the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) invalidated one of the key patents that Apple used to win its case.
Here come the design patents: new law boosts rights in shapes, designs http://gigaom.com/2012/12/27/here-come-the-design-patents-new-law-boosts-rights-in-shapes-designs/
The United States is already struggling to reform an overgrown patent system. But now the President has signed a law that will make it easier to obtain patents in shapes and other designs.
Trulia takes aim at Zillow patent suit: ‘Abstract ideas and principles are not patentable’ http://www.geekwire.com/2012/trulia-shoots-back-at-zillow-asks-court-to-dismiss-patent-suit-abstract-ideas-and-principles-are-not-patentable/
San Francisco online real estate company Trulia has filed its initial response to Zillow’s patent lawsuit, arguing that the case should be dismissed because the business method in question — Zillow’s online home valuation tool known as the Zestimate — is not patentable.
Apple vs.. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57561175-37/apple-drops-patent-claim-against-samsung-galaxy-s3-mini/
http://www.ipodnn.com/articles/12/12/23/company.claims.the.feature.infringes.on.non.sep.patent/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/haydnshaughnessy/2012/12/21/the-apple-vs-samsung-verdict-a-critique/
http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2012/12/apple-sued-over-os-x-iphone-infringing-general-electric-patent.html
http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2013/01/apple-samsung-dramatically-secured-more-patents-in-2012.html
Apple has agreed to withdraw patent infringement allegations against Samsung's new Galaxy S3 Mini in exchange for assurances that the South Korean electronics giant will not market the smartphone in the U. S.
EFF: Limit Software Patents http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2012/12/eff-limiting-software-patents.html
In the face of the Federal Circuit’s failure to provide a workable § 101 standard, the Supreme Court issued its unanimous ruling in Mayo v. Prometheus, essentially telling the Federal Circuit to take the patentable subject matter inquiry seriously.
Apple Must Pay Chinese Authors for Copyright Infringement http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple-must-pay-chinese-authors-for-copyright-infringement
A Chinese court has ordered Apple to pay a group of local writers for copyright infringement. China Daily reported that the Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People's Court agreed with the writers that their works were being sold on Apple's App Store without a license.
China to crack down on "malicious" trademark registrations http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/24/china-copyright-idUSL4N09Y2PH20121224
Foreign governments, including the United States, have for years urged China to take a stronger stand against intellectual property rights violations on products ranging from medicines to software to DVD movies.
Former top patent judge: system works “quite well,” needs to be “stronger” http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/12/former-top-patent-judge-system-works-quite-well-needs-to-be-stronger/
People have radically different views of the patent system. Critics see it as an unmitigated disaster, while many in the patent bar don't understand what all the fuss is about. But it's rare for prominent advocates of these contrasting perspectives to engage each other directly.
Rambus Barred From Enforcing Chip Patents in Micron Case http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-03/rambus-barred-from-enforcing-chip-patents-in-micron-case-1-.html
Rambus Inc. (RMBS), the designer of high- speed memory chips, was barred by a judge from using 12 of its patents to demand royalties from Micron Technology Inc. because it improperly destroyed documents tied to intellectual-property litigation.
Request for Comments and Events Re Enhancement of Quality of Software-Related Patents http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-01-03/html/2012-31594.htm
http://www.patentspostgrant.com/lang/en/2013/01/uspto-to-require-means-plus-function-claims-for-software-related-patents
The Software Partnership will be an opportunity to bring stakeholders together through a series of roundtable discussions to share ideas, feedback, experiences, and insights on software-related patents. To commence the Software Partnership and to provide increased opportunities for all to participate, the USPTO is sponsoring two roundtable events with identical agendas, one in Silicon Valley, and the other in New York City.
The Problem of “International Orphan Works” http://blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/2013/01/the_problem_of.htm
legislating on orphan works at the national level cannot solve an important problem: the problem of establishing the status of an orphan work internationally. The solution to this problem is crucially important for anyone hoping to use orphan works on the internet – particularly entities that are among the most active lobbyists for orphan works legislation.
Future of Xbox? Microsoft acquisition includes patents for ultimate home remote http://www.geekwire.com/2013/future-xbox-microsofts-secretive-acquisition-includes-patents-ultimate-home-remote/
But a search of U. S. patent filings provides more hints about where the startup was headed, and why Microsoft and other tech giants were apparently so interested.
Sony's Latest Patent Could Wipe Out The Second Hand Games Market http://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2013/01/03/sonys-latest-patent-could-wipe-out-the-second-hand-games-market/
Information that is going to be recorded so each game disc will require permission to run, and effectively allow you to kill the second hand games market?
InterDigital Seeks Sales Ban Against Samsung, Nokia, Others http://www.tomshardware.com/news/InterDigital-Sales-Ban-Samsung-Nokia,20157.html
InterDigital, known for owning a number of patents related to wireless products, has filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission against several technology firms.
In Its Rush to Fix Patent Reform, Congress Didn't Fix Its Biggest Error http://blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/2013/01/in_its_rush_to.htm
One of the centerpieces of this effort is PGR, which allows third parties to challenge patents within the first 9 months of their life. PGR was meant to improve upon pre-AIA proceedings by allowing administrative patent challenges on more grounds and decreasing the challenger’s risk of being estopped from raising any issues later, in litigation, that “could have been raised” in the PGR.
IBM Received Record Patent Grants in 2012 http://www.law.com/corporatecounsel/PubArticleCC.jsp?id=1202583915636&slreturn=20130012113722
International Business Machines Corporation received a record number of U. S. utility patents in 2012, which made IBM the No. 1 patent recipient for the 20th consecutive year.
NPEs Solidify Enforcement Jurisdiction at USITC http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2013/01/npes-solidify-enforcement-jurisdiction-at-usitc.html
And the result is that NPE lawsuits in the ITC are also on solid footing. The benefit of ITC litigation is the stronger likelihood of injunctive relief and the potential of industry-wide enforcement.
Judge approves Kodak digital-imaging patent sale to Apple, Google and others http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/01/11/judge-approves-kodak-digital-imaging-patent-sale-to-apple-google-and-others
It was reported in December that an Apple-led consortium put in a winning bid of $525 million for rights to the patent licenses, but Friday's court hearing revealed the actual sale price to be slightly higher at $527 million. Initial hopes were to garner at least $2 billion from the patent auction.
Ericsson gives 2,500 patents to maker of ancient wireless browser http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/01/ericsson-gives-2500-patents-to-maker-of-ancient-wireless-browser/
There's not much to Unwired Planet beyond its patents. The operating parts of Openwave were sold off before the transformation to Unwired last April. In September, Unwired launched patent suits against Apple [PDF] and Google, following a time-tested recipe: use patents on old, unsuccessful technology to ask for royalties on new, popular technology. It also had cases against Apple and RIM at the International Trade Commission, but dropped them in October.
Abolishing patents: Too soon or too late? http://opensource.com/law/13/1/abolish-patents-too-soon-late
"Patents are here to stay. " This is the sort of statement that makes me uneasy. I guess in the 17th century the common wisdom was "slavery is here to stay. "
Roundtable on Proposed Requirements for Recordation of Real-Party-in-Interest Information http://www.uspto.gov/ip/officechiefecon/roundtable_01-11-2013.jsp
The USPTO is conducting a roundtable to obtain public input from organizations and individuals on how the USPTO could change its rules of practice to collect and provide such ownership information and make it publicly available.
Ad industry could join tech's next big fight: patent trolls http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/patent-trolls-get-worked-over-ces-146390
Although tech and software companies have complained the most and the loudest about patent trolls, other industries—including the advertisers and agencies—have also fallen prey to the trolls.
India flouts patent for blockbuster biologic http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v31/n1/full/nbt0113-9.html
Healthcare activists have welcomed the verdict hoping it will prompt generic competition and usher in cheaper, copycat biologics to the market.
DOJ and USPTO join FTC in urging Caution before Granting SEP Injunctions http://www.consortiuminfo.org/standardsblog/article.php?story=20130109175348826
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/01/doj-and-uspto-look-to-limit-standards-based-patents/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+arstechnica%2Findex+%28Ars+Technica+-+All+content%29
Yesterday the Antitrust Division of the U. S. Department of Justice (DoJ) and the U. S. Patent Trademark Office (USPTO) united in issuing a rare joint policy statement on Remedies for Standards-Essential Patents Subject to Voluntary F/RAND Commitments. As the title suggests, the policy focuses on those patent claims that would be necessarily infringed by the implementation of a standard (so-called standards essential patents, or “SEPs”), where the owner of the claims has pledged to make the claims available on “fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory” (or “F/RAND”) terms.
Sling Media sues Belkin, Monsoon for patent infringement http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57562649-38/sling-media-sues-belkin-monsoon-for-patent-infringement/
Both are California companies that make devices that compete with the Slingbox at lower prices -- Belkin's @TV and Monsoon's Vulkano.
***** Applications/Gadgets
CodeWeavers Launches CrossOver 12 For Linux And MAC http://www.wine-reviews.net/wine-reviews/cxoffice-linux/codeweavers-launches-crossover-12-for-linux-and-mac.html
CodeWeavers, Inc. , developer of CrossOver software which enables Mac and Linux users to run Windows software on their computers without the need of a Microsoft license, announced today the release of its new software, CrossOver 12.
Google Designing 'X Phone' to Rival Apple, Samsung http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324731304578191711598368942.html
Engineers at Motorola are hard at work on a sophisticated handset—known internally as the "X phone"—but the Google Inc. unit is running into some obstacles in its effort to provide more potent competition for Apple Inc. , said people familiar with the matter.
Snapseed (for Android) Review http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2413000,00.asp
A year after being designated the iPad App of the year by Apple in 2011, Nik Software's impressive tablet photo editor comes to Android.
CM Storm QuickFire TK Keyboard in Linux http://ostatic.com/blog/cm-storm-quickfire-tk-keyboard-in-linux
There is such a thing as N-Key Rollover over USB. This feature allows that many keys can be depressed and register at exactly the same millisecond. I understand avid gamers can sometimes create elaborate key combinations to exact their damage.
Yeeloong Notebook http://www.lemote.com/en/products/Notebook/2010/0310/112.html
The world's first fully free software. All system source files(BIOS, kernel, drivers etc. ) are free software, no close firmware needed.
Hands-On with Russia’s YotaPhone: Finally, Something Different http://techland.time.com/2013/01/09/hands-on-with-russias-yotaphone-finally-something-different/
The YotaPhone’s main attraction is a 4. 3-inch E-Ink display that sits on the phone’s curved backside. The E-Ink screen allows users to keep certain types of information in view, such as the time, notifications or a photo, without draining battery life.
After 3 Years of Development, ToME 1.0 is Finally Released http://www.ubuntuvibes.com/2012/12/after-3-years-of-development-tome-10-is.html
Free and open source roguelike/RPG Tales Of Maj'Eyal (ToME) version 1. 0 has been finally released after being in development for more than 3 years.
Ouya Gaming Console Seen in Videos Around the Web http://ostatic.com/blog/ouya-gaming-console-seen-in-videos-around-the-web
Canonical Enhancing JuJu Cloud Services Orchestration Tools http://talkincloud.com/cloud-computing/canonical-enhancing-juju-cloud-services-orchestration-tools
Meet CuBox Pro: A 2GB open-source computer that could fit in your pocket http://venturebeat.com/2013/01/03/meet-the-cubox-pro-an-open-source-computer-that-spans-two-cubic-inches-and-weighs-3-2-ounces/
It supports Linux-based software such as Ubuntu, Debian, GeeXbox and openelec. tv as well as the Google Android operating system.
Nvidia Updates Tegra Chip, Announces Its Own Android Game Device http://www.forbes.com/sites/connieguglielmo/2013/01/07/nvidia-updates-tegra-chip-announces-its-own-android-game-device/
It’s been in development for five years, he said, and can play both Android games and stream video games from PCs. Pricing and availability for the hand-held gaming device weren’t disclosed.
After phones, Google's Android makes the leap to rice cookers http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/google-android-baked-into-rice-cookers-in-move-past-phones-tech/2013/01/08/a272a620-5955-11e2-b8b2-0d18a64c8dfa_story.html
Android-based products ranging from Royal Philips Electronics NV’s PicoPix pocket projector and LG Electronics Inc. ’ Smart Thinq refrigerators to Parrot SA’s Asteroid car stereo systems and Samsung Electronics Co. ’s Galaxy Camera will be on display this week at the annual International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
5-inch Android phablet debuts, costs 75-percent less than a Galaxy Note II http://www.zdnet.com/kogans-5-inch-android-phablet-debuts-costs-75-percent-less-than-a-galaxy-note-ii-7000009633/
Kogan has announced a 5-inch, dual-core powered, Android-based handset that only costs around a quarter of the price of the category leading Galaxy Note II.
Android Appliances at CES 2013 http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2414179,00.asp
The flashiest Android appliance at CES was definitely Dacor's Android-powered oven, which automatically programs itself according to recipes selected from a tablet.
CompuLab Intense PC Pro Review: The Mini PC of your dreams http://www.linuxuser.co.uk/reviews/compulab-intense-pc-pro-review-the-mini-pc-of-your-dreams
The Linux option of the Intense PC comes with Linux Mint 13 pre-installed, likely a result of CompuLabs work on the Mint Box, however it’s a fine distro to get up and running with the PC.
***** Reports
Gradiente iphone Runs Google Android OS http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/19/gradientes-iphone-runs-go_n_2328679.html
While the California-based company's iPhone has become one of the most transformative and biggest-selling gadgets in history, in Brazil another company (IGB Eletrônica SA, trading under the name 'Gradiente') owns the 'G Gradiente iphone' trademark (with a small p).
Raspberry Pi Gets its Own App Store http://ostatic.com/blog/raspberry-pi-gets-its-own-app-store
The Pi Store can be accessed either directly through the Raspbian operating system or through a browser, and will be open to community contributions of applications, videos, games and projects built with Scratch, a popular visual tool for on-the-fly Pi applications.
Canonical adds photo functions to Ubuntu One http://www.h-online.com/open/news/item/Canonical-adds-photo-functions-to-Ubuntu-One-1769636.html
Canonical has added new photo functions to its Ubuntu One cloud storage service. After users log in, the Ubuntu One web site now automatically displays thumbnails of all photos found in their cloud storage in a new "Photos" section. Users can browse the photos or display them as a slideshow.
Open-source alternatives to Instagram http://venturebeat.com/2012/12/18/open-source-alternatives-to-instagram/
http://www.zdnet.com/five-good-instagram-replacements-7000009033/
Here, dear reader, are a few Instagram alternatives that are open-source enough for you to be certain your photos, locations, and web browsing data will never be used against you.
Red Hat Makes $104 Million Cloud Management Bid with ManageIQ Acquisition http://www.datamation.com/cloud-computing/red-hat-makes-104-million-cloud-management-bid-with-manageiq-acquisition.html#
http://www.serverwatch.com/server-news/red-hat-linux-grows-top-deals-as-private-cloud-management-enters-batting-practice.html
Red Hat is expanding its cloud portfolio with the acquisition of ManageIQ. The deal is valued at $104 million and brings new cloud operations management technology to Red Hat.
Steam for Linux Open Beta this week? http://www.linuxuser.co.uk/news/steam-for-linux-open-beta-this-week-today
Last week, a report surfaced that the Steam for Linux client may be making a public appearance this week, with the previously closed beta opening up to everyone.
Samsung confirms: Millions of Android phones — including the Galaxy S III — vulnerable to hack http://venturebeat.com/2012/12/19/galaxy-s-iii-and-galaxy-note-2-among-devices-vulnerable-to-malicious-apps-targeting-samsungs-exynos-processor/
This is not a vulnerability in the Android operating system as created by Google per se. The vulnerable portion is the kernel — the base level of an operating system — and Samsung has modified the Android kernel to run on its proprietary Exynos processor. Those modifications contain the unsafe code that enables the security breach.
EU’s tougher Google deal derails FTC agreement http://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/eus-tougher-google-deal-derails-ftc-agreement-85319.html?hp=l8
European regulators appear headed toward a dramatically different conclusion to their antitrust probe of Google than their American counterparts — a binding agreement that could cost the search company dearly if violated.
Google sells Motorola Home set-top biz to Arris for $2.3B http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57560148-93/google-sells-motorola-home-set-top-biz-to-arris-for-$2.3b/
Google has sold the Motorola Home set-top business -- which it inherited as part of its $12. 5 billion acquisition of Motorola Mobility earlier this year -- to the Arris Group, for $2. 35 billion in cash and stock.
Microsoft lashes out at Google’s decision to spurn Windows Phone http://bgr.com/2013/01/02/microsoft-windows-phone-google-apps-279683/
http://www.itproportal.com/2013/01/04/microsoft-lashes-out-at-google-over-windows-phone-youtube-app/
http://www.dailytech.com/Microsoft+Shouts+Antitrust+Over+YouTube+Snub/article29542.htm
Dave Heiner, vice president and deputy general counsel for Microsoft (MSFT), took aim at Google (GOOG) and the company’s unwillingness to develop for Windows Phone 8 in a blog post on Wednesday. [eh??]
Ubuntu now fits your phone - the superphone that’s also a full PC http://www.ubuntu.com/devices/phone
http://twil.tv/2013/01/ubuntu-phone-os-demonstration-by-mark-shuttleworth-at-ces-2013/
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/01/why-mark-shuttleworth-thinks-ubuntu-on-phones-will-outclass-android/
http://www.datamation.com/mobile-wireless/ubuntu-linux-lands-on-smartphones.html
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Watch-Ubuntu-Phone-OS-in-Action-317938.shtml
http://fossforce.com/2013/01/ubuntu-phone-os-what-are-its-chances/
http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2013/01/03/ubuntu-for-smartphones-will-this-penguin-fly/
http://www.zdnet.com/the-5-things-you-need-to-know-now-about-ubuntu-on-phones-7000009362/
http://www.techweekeurope.co.uk/comment/ubuntu-phone-firefox-os-linux-iphone-androi-103206
http://fossforce.com/2013/01/are-you-ready-for-ibuntu/
http://www.datamation.com/open-source/is-the-new-ubuntu-phone-an-android-killer-probably-not-1.html
http://www.smartcompany.com.au/information-technology/053634-video-canonical-demonstrates-its-ubuntu-phone.html
Your phone is more immersive, the screen is less cluttered, and you flow naturally from app to app with edge magic. The phone becomes a full PC and thin client when docked. Ubuntu delivers a magical phone that is faster to run, faster to use and fits perfectly into the Ubuntu family.
Sayonara, netbooks: Asus (and the rest) won't make any more in 2013 http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/dec/31/netbooks-dead-2013
Asustek and Acer were the only two companies still making netbooks, with everyone else who had made them (including Samsung, HP and Dell) having shifted to tablets. [OSL: This is a shame. My original Linux eeePC 701 is one of my most useful devices - way more useful than my ASUS Android tablet and comparable to MSI laptop]
2013: Installing Linux on Windows 8 PC is still a pain http://www.zdnet.com/2013-installing-linux-on-windows-8-pc-is-still-a-pain-7000009237/
In security's name, Microsoft has made it difficult to install Linux, or any other operating system, including older versions of Windows, on Windows 8 PCS. In addition, Microsoft has made it all but impossible to install Linux on Windows RT devices such as the Surface RT.
Report: Docomo Joins Samsung, Intel on Tizen Mobile OS Project http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2413683,00.asp
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-03/samsung-to-sell-tizen-based-handsets-after-google-motorola-deal.html
http://www.itworld.com/networking/332317/report-first-tizen-based-smartphone-could-come-2013
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505124_162-57561857/phone-makers-seek-alternative-to-android/
In a new report from Japan's Yomuiri Shimbun, the paper claims that Docomo is set to join the open source smartphone operating system called Tizen, which is being developed by Samsung and Intel.
Secure Boot distribution support http://mjg59.dreamwidth.org/20522.html
It's after Christmas, and some number of people doubtless ended up with Windows 8 PCs and may want to install Linux on them. If you'd like to do that without fiddling with firmware settings, here are your options.
FSF Does Want Secure Boot; They Just Want It Under User Control http://yro.slashdot.org/story/12/12/30/1824245/fsf-does-want-secure-boot-they-just-want-it-under-user-control
writes gnujoshua: "We want computer manufacturers to implement Secure Boot in a way that is secure. If a user can't disable Secure Boot and they are unable to sign their own software (e. g. , bootloader, OS, etc), then we call that particular implementation 'Restricted Boot. '
10 Raspberry Pi creations that show how amazing the tiny PC can be http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/12/10-raspberry-pi-creations-that-show-how-amazing-the-tiny-pc-can-be/
The Raspberry Pi, the $35 credit card-sized computer, has lived an interesting life despite being less than a year old. It has been used to teach programming and host servers, but above all it has provided a near-perfect platform for some of the most fun and interesting hobbyist projects in the computing world.
Beleaguered smartphone makers Nokia, RIM ink patent pact http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/12/beleaguered-smartphone-makers-nokia-rim-ink-patent-pact/
Finnish phone-maker Nokia, once dominant in the cell phone market, is hoping that it can use its patents to stay afloat during a more difficult time.
A simulated FirefoxOS experience http://lwn.net/Articles/528815/
One of the more interesting developments on the horizon has been FirefoxOS — formerly known as Boot2Gecko — a system under development at Mozilla. In the absence of any available hardware running this system, the recent 1. 0 release of the FirefoxOS simulator seemed like a good opportunity to get a feel for what the Mozilla folks are up to.
China is largest single Android market, but U.S. is catching up, says analyst http://www.zdnet.com/china-is-largest-single-android-market-but-u-s-is-catching-up-says-analyst-7000009031/
Two in every three mobile phones sold in China in 2012 were powered by Google's Android mobile operating system, making it the single largest market for the platform. But the U. S. market is catching up, and doing so rapidly.
Canonical Offers New Tools for Linux Evangelists http://www.thevarguy.com/2012/12/17/canonical-supplies-new-tools-for-linux-evangelists/
As Jono Bacon, official “community manager” for the Ubuntu world, explained recently on his blog, he and others conceptualized the Advocacy Development Kit as “everything you need to get started spreading the word about Ubuntu. ” That includes posters, tips on evangelizing Ubuntu as a platform and instructions for forming and administering LoCo Teams, the groups of Ubuntu enthusiasts organized at the local level.
Raspberry Pi gets an open source educational manual http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/02/raspberry-pi-gets-an-open-source-educational-manual/
Been staring at that Raspberry Pi trying to figure out where to start? You're hardly alone. We've spent some time with the diminutive Linux machine and even tried to point you in the right direction when booting up your Pi for the first time.
Deploying and managing OpenShift Enterprise PaaS http://bitmason.blogspot.com/2013/01/deploying-and-managing-openshift.html
But that's not all. One of the most exciting announcements of the past year was an on-premise version of Red Hat OpenShift Platform-as-a-Service.
Samsung Profit Beats Estimates as Galaxy Fends Off IPhone 5 http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-07/samsung-profit-surpasses-estimates-as-galaxy-fends-off-iphone-5.html
“Samsung was the major beneficiary of slower-than-expected sales of Apple’s iPhone 5,” James Song, an analyst at Daewoo Securities Co. in Seoul, said by phone today. “The biggest challenge ahead is whether it can maintain its competitiveness in the smartphone market as high-end products are expected to be released by big players like Apple and Google. ”
Open source Linux driver supports 3D acceleration with all GeForce GPUs http://www.h-online.com/open/news/item/Open-source-Linux-driver-supports-3D-acceleration-with-all-GeForce-GPUs-1776089.html
The Nouveau driver in the current Linux 3. 8 development branch has recently acquired everything that's necessary to support the 3D acceleration features of any GeForce graphics hardware.
Mirantis Raises $10 Million for OpenStack Services http://www.serverwatch.com/server-news/mirantis-raises-10-million-for-openstack-services.html
Mirantis has been helping some of the biggest (and smallest) names in IT, including Dell and Cisco, build and deploy OpenStack clouds.
When Free Software Isn't Free http://fossforce.com/2013/01/when-free-software-isnt-free/
This clearly illustrates why most of the free proprietary binary downloads for Windows, available on sites like ZDNet (one of my favorite sites–don’t blame them, they’re just supplying a service), are not free at all in the sense that FOSS is free.
Google and FTC http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323689604578221971197494496.html
http://readwrite.com/2013/01/03/googles-ftc-settlement-is-an-epic-fail-for-microsoft
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/04/technology/googles-lawyers-work-behind-the-scenes-to-carry-the-day.html?hp
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9235225/Google_39_s_antitrust_settlement_means_few_changes
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-01-03/the-ftc-gives-google-a-free-pass
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323874204578219592520327884.html
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-federal-trade-commission-closes-its.html
http://www.itproportal.com/2013/01/04/ftc-orders-google-to-license-standard-essential-patents-finds-search-results-are-fair/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericgoldman/2013/01/03/the-ftc-smartly-ends-its-imprudent-google-search-antitrust-investigation/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/ftc-to-announce-google-settlement-today/2013/01/03/ecb599f0-55c6-11e2-bf3e-76c0a789346f_story.html
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ftc-google-20130104,0,6394780.story
http://ftc.gov/opa/2013/01/google.shtm
http://www.businessinsider.com/ftc-announces-its-big-deal-with-google-2013-1
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-11/google-didn-t-lobby-white-house-in-ftc-case-lawyer-says.html
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2b5bead6-5b3c-11e2-8d06-00144feab49a,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2F2b5bead6-5b3c-11e2-8d06-00144feab49a.html&_i_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zdnet.com%2Feu-antitrust-chief-hints-at-force
http://www.slashgear.com/leaks-in-the-google-antitrust-probe-brings-the-ftc-under-scrutiny-09264438/
http://www.tnr.com/blog/plank/111650/why-does-everyone-think-google-beat-the-ftc#
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/01/congressman-calls-for-investigation-of-leaks-in-google-antitrust-case/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+arstechnica%2Findex+%28Ars+Technica+-+All+content%29
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2023849/four-ways-to-compete-against-google-in-the-wake-of-the-ftc-ruling.html
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/01/the-government-leaves-google-alone-what-it-means-for-users/
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/05/opinion/is-google-like-gas-or-like-steel.html
A clinching moment came in November when FTC staff, who had exhaustively investigated the Internet search giant for 18 months, told the five FTC commissioners that they shouldn't bring a broad antitrust case, rebutting the theory that Google abused its dominant market position in Internet search to favor its own products and services at rivals' expense.
***** Snippets
A peek at the geek heading LCA 2013 http://www.itwire.com/business-it-news/open-source/57940-a-peek-at-the-geek-heading-lca-2013
Another Foundation Pops Up - The Krita Foundation http://ostatic.com/blog/another-foundation-pops-up-the-krita-foundation
openSUSE 12.3 Milestone 2 Has KDE 4.10 http://news.softpedia.com/news/openSUSE-12-3-Milestone-2-Has-KDE-4-10-315872.shtml
Three new features coming in Linux Mint 15 http://www.pcworld.com/article/2021461/three-new-features-coming-in-linux-mint-15.html
Top 10 Things Ubuntu Is Doing Right http://www.datamation.com/open-source/top-10-things-ubuntu-is-doing-right.html
Samba 4.0 Enhances Open Source Active Directory Integration http://www.thevarguy.com/2012/12/19/samba-4-0-enhances-open-source-active-directory-integration/
Brazil company sells cellphones with iPhone name http://phys.org/news/2012-12-brazil-company-cellphones-iphone-brand.html
The Best New Features of Ubuntu 12.10 http://linuxblog.darkduck.com/2012/12/the-best-new-features-of-ubuntu-1210.html
ArchBang Linux 2012.12 Review Lightweight Arch http://www.linuxuser.co.uk/reviews/archbang-linux-2012-12-review-lightweight-arch
Is Oracle Java 7 Update 10 Going to Improve Security? http://www.internetnews.com/security/is-oracle-java-7-update-10-going-to-improve-security.html
Maintainer of two GNU software projects quits http://www.itwire.com/business-it-news/open-source/58020-maintainer-of-two-gnu-software-projects-quits
OpenMandriva is officially incorporated! http://blog.mandrivalinux.org/2013/01/openmandriva-is-officially-incorporated/
OpenMandriva gets incorporated http://standardsandfreedom.net/index.php/2013/01/03/openmandriva-gets-incorporated/
The Truth about Aaron Swartz’s “Crime” http://unhandled.com/2013/01/12/the-truth-about-aaron-swartzs-crime/
Fedora 18 status is Go, release planned for January 15, 2013 http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/devel-announce/2013-January/001021.html
Teaching IBM's Watson the meaning of 'OMG' http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2013/01/07/ibm-watson-slang/
Google Chromebook: 3 months in http://www.zdnet.com/google-chromebook-3-months-in-7000009563/
Apple Tops 50% Of The U.S. Smartphone Market http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericsavitz/2013/01/07/apple-tops-50-of-the-u-s-smartphone-market/
Improve Your Security Defense By Going On Offense Using Backtrack Linux http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/improve-security-defense-using-backtrack-linux/
Joining The Arch Community: Why Arch Linux Matters http://www.archlinux.org/
Nouveau Gets More Improvements For Linux 3.8 http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTI2NTI
Zimbra Open Source: Frequent Winner vs Microsoft, Google Apps http://www.thevarguy.com/2013/01/01/microsoft-vs-google-apps-surprise-winner-vmware-zimbra/
Download Linux Kernel 3.8 Release Candidate 2 http://news.softpedia.com/news/Download-Linux-Kernel-3-8-Release-Candidate-2-317943.shtml
OpenMandriva Association Incorporated http://ostatic.com/blog/its-official-openmandriva-association-incorporated
Fedora 18 delayed yet again http://www.linuxuser.co.uk/news/fedora-18-delayed-yet-again
Bodhi 2.2.0 Released with Lots of E17 Eyecandy http://ostatic.com/blog/bodhi-2-2-0-released-with-lots-of-e17-eyecandy
No, Google is not making the Android SDK proprietary. What's the fuss about? http://www.zdnet.com/no-google-is-not-making-the-android-sdk-proprietary-whats-the-fuss-about-7000009406/
An Open Source Board Game about Network Security http://linuxaria.com/recensioni/an-open-source-board-game-about-network-security-d0x3d?lang=en
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.9 Released, Marking last release of Production Phase 1 http://www.internetnews.com/blog/skerner/red-hat-enterprise-linux-5.9-released-marking-last-release-of-production-phase-1.html
Red Hat Partner Conference North America: 8 Trends to Watch http://www.thevarguy.com/2013/01/08/red-hat-partner-conference-north-america-201/
LEGO Goes Linux http://www.internetnews.com/blog/skerner/lego-goes-linux.html
6 Tips For Improving Game Performance with Steam on Linux http://www.howtogeek.com/132549/6-tips-for-improving-game-performance-with-steam-on-linux/
Mozilla Firefox 18 Boosts Performance with IonMonkey http://www.internetnews.com/blog/skerner/mozilla-firefox-18-ionmonkey-open-source.html
Everyday Linux User Guide To Setting Up The Internet On The Raspberry PI http://www.everydaylinuxuser.com/2013/01/everyday-linux-user-guide-to-setting-up.html
VMware and Red Hat joust over control of Vert.x open-source project http://www.zdnet.com/vmware-and-red-hat-tussle-for-control-of-vert-x-open-source-project-7000009630/
Solving the PS3 restoring file system loop with Linux http://www.deonsworld.co.za/2013/01/08/solving-ps3s-restoring-file-system-loop-linux/
Ultimate Edition 3.5 Review http://desktoplinuxreviews.com/2013/01/08/ultimate-edition-3-5/
Mageia Looks Back at 2012 and Ahead to 2013 http://ostatic.com/blog/mageia-looks-back-at-2012-and-ahead-to-2013
Stargazing with Open Source Three FOSS apps to help you search the night sky http://www.linuxuser.co.uk/features/stargazing-with-open-source-three-foss-apps-to-help-you-search-the-night-sky
Mozilla Firefox 19 Set to Include PDF and Remote Web Console for Firefox OS http://www.internetnews.com/blog/skerner/mozilla-firefox-19-set-to-include-pdf-and-remote-web-console-for-firefox-os.html
Google revs Chrome for Android with new beta release http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57563444-93/google-revs-chrome-for-android-with-new-beta-release/
Set Up Rsnapshot, Archiving Of Snapshots And Backup Of MySQL Databases On Debian http://www.howtoforge.com/set-up-rsnapshot-archiving-of-snapshots-and-backup-of-mysql-databases-on-debian
Samba: Less Important Because Windows is Less Important http://www.linux.com/news/enterprise/systems-management/689022-samba-less-important-because-windows-is-less-important
No more delays: Fedora 18 good to go for January 15th http://www.linuxuser.co.uk/news/no-more-delays-fedora-18-good-to-go-for-january-15th
Linux 3.8 rc3 http://lkml.indiana.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/1301.1/01491.html
13 Things People Hate about Your Open Source Docs http://blog.smartbear.com/software-quality/bid/256072/13-reasons-your-open-source-docs-make-people-want-to-scream
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