Google cache doesn't break copyright

In what could prove to be a landmark case for the Internet industry, a US court has ruled that Google does not violate copyright by caching Web pages on its own servers. The case against Google was brought by Blake Field, an author, after the search engine automatically copied and cached a story he posted on his website. But the federal judge ruled that caching constitutes fair usage, a ruling that could have widespread implications for future digital uses of copyright materials. ...more

.xxx domain rises again

Democrat Senators, Mark Pryor of Arkansas and Max Baucus of Montana, have introduced a Bill called the Cyber Safety for Kids Act of 2006, which has revived the moribund idea of a .xxx domain. The idea of an . ...more

French publishers target Google Book Search

A group of 400 French publishers has backed a lawsuit aimed at stopping Google from digitising copyright works for its Book Search service. The Syndicat National de l'Edition (SNE) has thrown its weight behind a suit filed by La Matini?re Group, an international publisher of illustrated books, which accuses Google of counterfeiting and demands that it stop scanning its books and pays €1 million damages. 'We know that Google is powerful, but they have to show some respect for books,' a company spokeswoman said. ...more

Audiobooks get hip

If you're a true gadgetphile, you've probably already got your hands on the Iomega HipZip, but did you know that Iomega has just signed a deal with audiobook service Audible. If you are not familiar with the Audible site, you can download (or stream) a number of popular books in audio format to your PC - it's the ultimate site for lazy oiks like me who can't be bothered to read. The files can be downloaded and played back using either Windows Media Player, RealAudio player or Audible's own player. ...more

Creative push out an audio first

Audigy 2 to offer first Advanced Resolution DVD-Audio quality for the PC Creative Labs has announced its Sound Blaster Audigy 2 range that allows PC owners with a DVD drive to listen to their audio files at five times the detail of conventional CD-audio. Creative CEO Sim Wong Hoo said: 'With the introduction of the Sound Blaster Audigy 2, we are setting an audio standard for the PC that is currently emerging in consumer electronics.' The Audigy 2 is the only standalone card with the audio quality assurance of a THX certification. ...more