Learn from the mistakes of others

A system and method for data rights management across multiple data rights management architectures is disclosed. The system and method solves the problems posed by multiple incompatible data rights management architectures. In particular, a data rights management clearing house is provided that generates permits, permit classes, and enables content packaging across multiple data rights management architectures. Consumers may acquire rights to content packaged with different data rights management architecture from the single data rights management clearing house. Additionally, the system and method enables content packagers to package content with multiple data rights management architectures. Finally, the data rights management clearing house provides consumers with a single location from which to manage data access rights and restore data access rights that have been lost.

A system and method for data rights management across multiple data rights management architectures is disclosed. The system and method solves the problems posed by multiple incompatible data rights management architectures. In particular, a data rights management clearing house is provided that generates permits, permit classes, and enables content packaging across multiple data rights management architectures. Consumers may acquire rights to content packaged with different data rights management architecture from the single data rights management clearing house. Additionally, the system and method enables content packagers to package content with multiple data rights management architectures. Finally, the data rights management clearing house provides consumers with a single location from which to manage data access rights and restore data access rights that have been lost.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Federal judge extends Microsoft antitrust settlement until 2009
Joe Shaulis at 1:32 PM ET

[JURIST] Microsoft [corporate website; JURIST news archive] must abide by the terms of its 2002 antitrust settlement [final judgment, PDF] with the US Justice Department [official website] through November 2009, a federal judge said Wednesday. US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly [official profile] approved the DOJ's two-year extension request [JURIST report; joint status report], which Microsoft had agreed to, during a status conference in US District Court for the District of Columbia [official website].

The DOJ said the extension was necessary [press release] because Microsoft has been slow to improve the technical documentation it provides to licensees of communication protocols for the Windows operating system. As part of the extension, Microsoft has said that it plans to create an "interoperability lab" [press release] where licensees can test and de-bug their protocols with help from Microsoft engineers.

CNET News has more.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Federal judge extends Microsoft antitrust settlement until 2009
Joe Shaulis at 1:32 PM ET

[JURIST] Microsoft [corporate website; JURIST news archive] must abide by the terms of its 2002 antitrust settlement [final judgment, PDF] with the US Justice Department [official website] through November 2009, a federal judge said Wednesday. US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly [official profile] approved the DOJ's two-year extension request [JURIST report; joint status report], which Microsoft had agreed to, during a status conference in US District Court for the District of Columbia [official website].

The DOJ said the extension was necessary [press release] because Microsoft has been slow to improve the technical documentation it provides to licensees of communication protocols for the Windows operating system. As part of the extension, Microsoft has said that it plans to create an "interoperability lab" [press release] where licensees can test and de-bug their protocols with help from Microsoft engineers.

CNET News has more.

APR. 5, 2006
Apple Computer Inc. on Wednesday unveiled new software that allows Intel-based Macs to run Microsoft Corp.'s Windows XP software.

The computer maker said its new "Boot Camp" software is available as a download beginning Wednesday. It allows users with a Microsoft Windows XP installation disc to install Windows XP on an Intel-based Mac computer.

"Apple has no desire or plan to sell or support Windows, but many customers have expressed their interest to run Windows on Apple's superior hardware now that we use Intel processors," Philip Schiller, Apple senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, said in a statement.

Boot Camp makes it easier to install Windows software on an Intel-based Mac, with a step-by-step guide. It also lets users choose to use either Mac OS X software, or the Windows software when they restart their computer.

Users can download the new Boot Camp software from Apple's Web site. A final version of Boot Camp will be available as a feature in the upcoming Mac OS X version 10.5 "Leopard."

Apple shares gained $3.68, or 6 percent, to $64.85 in premarket trading, while Microsoft shares climbed 22 cents to $27.86.

wweeeell ...

APR. 5, 2006
Apple Computer Inc. on Wednesday unveiled new software that allows Intel-based Macs to run Microsoft Corp.'s Windows XP software.

The computer maker said its new "Boot Camp" software is available as a download beginning Wednesday. It allows users with a Microsoft Windows XP installation disc to install Windows XP on an Intel-based Mac computer.

"Apple has no desire or plan to sell or support Windows, but many customers have expressed their interest to run Windows on Apple's superior hardware now that we use Intel processors," Philip Schiller, Apple senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, said in a statement.

Boot Camp makes it easier to install Windows software on an Intel-based Mac, with a step-by-step guide. It also lets users choose to use either Mac OS X software, or the Windows software when they restart their computer.

Users can download the new Boot Camp software from Apple's Web site. A final version of Boot Camp will be available as a feature in the upcoming Mac OS X version 10.5 "Leopard."

Apple shares gained $3.68, or 6 percent, to $64.85 in premarket trading, while Microsoft shares climbed 22 cents to $27.86.

wweeeell ...

US court throws out Microsoft's plea for help
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/windows/0,39020396,39260302,00.htm
Reuters
Reuters
March 30, 2006, 12:05 BST

( Read more... )

i would have been shocked if the us court had decided otherwise. comity is very important in the international arena - it is a foundation of private international law, aka choice of law. no one likes litigants who run off to a 'more favourable' jurisdiction to get a ruling that interferes in the processes of the original jurisdiction.

if the us court had upheld microsoft's argument, it would risk having the europeans ignore the court's ruling - or even explicitly dispute it. not a good for future relations. international law provides that courts ought to give effect to one another's judgements. this reduces the risk of forum shopping (hunting about for a more favourable court) and strengthens the power of courts in both lands by ensuring that those who have 'lost' cannot evade penalties merely by going somewhere else.

comity is not the same as extradition. extradition allows a court to order a person to be delivered into the jurisdiction of the other court. comity enables courts to uphold each other's decisions and enforce them in each other's place. in both cases, an application must be made to the relevant court.

US court throws out Microsoft's plea for help
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/windows/0,39020396,39260302,00.htm
Reuters
Reuters
March 30, 2006, 12:05 BST

( Read more... )

i would have been shocked if the us court had decided otherwise. comity is very important in the international arena - it is a foundation of private international law, aka choice of law. no one likes litigants who run off to a 'more favourable' jurisdiction to get a ruling that interferes in the processes of the original jurisdiction.

if the us court had upheld microsoft's argument, it would risk having the europeans ignore the court's ruling - or even explicitly dispute it. not a good for future relations. international law provides that courts ought to give effect to one another's judgements. this reduces the risk of forum shopping (hunting about for a more favourable court) and strengthens the power of courts in both lands by ensuring that those who have 'lost' cannot evade penalties merely by going somewhere else.

comity is not the same as extradition. extradition allows a court to order a person to be delivered into the jurisdiction of the other court. comity enables courts to uphold each other's decisions and enforce them in each other's place. in both cases, an application must be made to the relevant court.