Pro-Linux patent portfolio builder begins its acquisitions

The Open Invention Network says it has bought its first set of patents since its launch last November. The body was formed to build a patent portfolio through acquisition, which companies could use freely on the condition that they did not push patent claims against Linux. Funding is provided through the founding members: IBM, Novell, Philips, Red Hat and Sony; and the organisation is soliciting further donations. ...more

Microsoft to call for suspension of anti-trust penalties

Microsoft will ask the EU's second highest court to suspend the imposition of anti-trust penalties which include a €500mn fine and a requirement to unbundle Media Player from the Windows operating system. The company will file the request to the Court of First Instance 'in the coming days' said spokesman Tom Brookes. 'We believe we have a strong case for suspension,' he said. ...more

Sno-Cross hits Freeloader

Everyone likes something for nothing, so how about a free Snow-cross racing game? Those lovely folk at Freeloader.com are giving away the most excellent snow racing game, Sno-Cross. From March 22, you will be able to download this little beauty and take part in this icy race over 7 courses to win the Sno-Cross Championship. ...more

25 per cent of Internet users will abandon CDs

A recent MORI poll of Internet users, conducted for Creative Labs, has shown that the CD's days are numbered, with one in four expecting to turn to the Internet as the sole source of music. In the 15-24 age bracket the figure was as high as 37 per cent. The survey reveals just how widely accepted and understood the concepts of codecs and streaming digital music have become. ...more

IDF Fall 2003: Intel demos Personal Server prototype

Imagine if your whole life was recorded on a device. This could be the future according to Ray Want, a Fellow of Intel Research, as he introduced a prototype of the Intel Personal Server platform. He calculated that 80 years of audio (based on 16 hour days, with 16Kbit/sec compression) could be recoded as 3TB of data. ...more