Microsoft launches kit to protect digital rights and push Windows Media

Microsoft shores up copyright and market dominance. Protecting copyright material in digital form has long been an issue troubling the media empires, who have invested billions in defending their content and combatting piracy. Microsoft has today announced a new component of its Windows Media 9 Series technologies called the Windows Media Data Session Toolkit that will help protect content and promote the Windows Media format. ...more

Amnesty 'dismayed' over Google in China

Amnesty International has said that it is 'dismayed' at Google's decision to censor Internet content in China. The human rights organisation said that the latest in a series of examples of global Internet companies caving in to pressure from the Chinese government has effectively legitimised censorship in the world's most populous country. 'Whether succumbing to demands from Chinese officials or anticipating government concerns, companies that impose restrictions that infringe on human rights are being extremely short-sighted,' said Amnesty's secretary general Irene Khan. ...more

Preloaded iPods walk on legal thin ice

A US company has begun offering iPods for sale with preloaded content ripped from DVDs. TVMyPod converts the DVD content to the iPod format but insists that the customer buys the DVDs as well as the player. 'The tedious and time-consuming process of converting and loading their own DVDs will discourage many people from getting the most out of the new iPod video functionality, thereby not allowing the consumer to utilize this marvel of engineering to its fullest potential,' said Vijay Raghavan, TVMyPod co- founder. ...more

BT trials radio broadband

BT is to trial broadband over the air as part of its effort to bring broadband access to everyone by the end of 2005. 105 triallists from four regions (Ballingry in Fife, Scotland, Pwllheli in Wales, Porthleven in Cornwall and Campsie in Northern Ireland) will test the new technology in the pilot that will last until March of next year. Pierre Danon, chief executive, BT Retail, said: 'We want to make broadband services available to everyone in the UK - whether they live in town centres or rural communities should be irrelevant. ...more

AMD maintains profitable progress

AMD stays in the black. According to its latest financial results, AMD has maintained its profitable progress - it records a net income of $45 million on revenues of $1.236 billion (for the three months to 28 March 2004). ...more