December 18, 2009 | Posted by McCarty, Mark | Topic(s): Antitrust, Telecommunications

Judge Matthew F. Kennelly has dismissed an antitrust class action filed against the major wireless carriers over text messaging rates. 

PDF of the Order:  In re Text Messaging.pdf

November 19, 2009 | Posted by McCarty, Mark | Topic(s): E-Commerce, Telecommunications

In a meeting on Wednesday, Federal Communications Commission staff members said that a lack of competition in the market for satellite and cable boxes is impeding broadband use.  According to the staff members, the television is one potential device that can be used to access broadband content and they noted that there are only 14 different set top boxes available compared to 900 or so wireless devices that are available for purchase.

Washington Post article on FCC Meeting

November 4, 2009 | Posted by McCarty, Mark | Topic(s): Antitrust

New York AG Andrew Cuomo claims that "[i]n Intel's market there were no laws of supply and demand, instead it was the law of my way or the highway."

CNBC Story:  http://www.cnbc.com/id/33620447

October 7, 2009 | Posted by Mark McCarty | Topic(s): E-Commerce, Intellectual Property

A number of companies, including Adobe, Amazon, and Google were recently sued for patent infringement by Eolas Technologies over patents Eolas claims cover embedding of multimedia and applications in web pages.http://http://lawday.ca/articles/show/eolas_sues_22_companies_over_patents

October 5, 2009 | Posted by McCarty, Mark | Topic(s): E-Commerce

The FTC will require bloggers who give favorable product reviews to reveal any compensation or freebies they received from the product's manufacturer.

FTC Press Release:  http://http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/endortest.shtm

September 14, 2009 | Posted by Mark McCarty | Topic(s): Privacy, Data Security

While serving as a government informer against other hackers, Albert Gonzalez was apparently hacking into retailers' systems as part of an identity theft ring. 

Washington Post article:  http://http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/11/AR2009091103773.html?wpisrc=newsletter

September 10, 2009 | Posted by Mark McCarty | Topic(s): Telecommunications

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced that P. Michelle Ellison will head up the Enforcement Bureau at the FCC.  Ellison, who has been with the FCC since 1995, served as Deputy General Counsel for the last 12 years and was acting FCC General Counsel through July 2009. 

Link:  http://http://4g-wirelessevolution.tmcnet.com/topics/4g-wirelessevolution/articles/63934-fcc-chairman-appoints-ellison-as-enforcement-bureau-chief.htm

September 10, 2009 | Posted by Mark McCarty | Topic(s): Intellectual Property

BusinesWeek notes that TiVo now largely relies on licensing revenue and damages from patent infringement litigation to feed its bottom line as TiVo's subscriber numbers dwindle.

 

BusinessWeek: http://http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/sep2009/tc2009098_760023.htm