Here is the ISO document [PDF] reporting the recommendation of the Technical Management Board (TMB) not to pursue the appeals files against OOXML. You could subtitle the document, "Ode to Microsoft,"
Read more »Improving ‘Innovation’, One Embargo at a Time…
The economics of patents are challenged again, amid the possibility of yet another unnecessary ban
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Intellectual Property Regime Stifles Science and Innovation, Nobel Laureates Say
The basic framework of the intellectual property (IP) regime aims to “close down access to knowledge” rather than allowing its dissemination, Professor Joseph Stiglitz said at a 5 July lecture on “Who Owns Science?” Stiglitz, a 2001 Nobel Laureate in Economics, and Professor John Sulston, a 2002 Nobel Laureate in Physiology/Medicine, launched Manchester University’s new Institute for Sci
Read more »BSD or GPL: Choosing an open source license
If you ever plan on writing an open source program, then you must make an important decision, selecting a program license. Generally for open source programs, there are two main licenses that most developers take into consideration. These licenses are the Gnu General Public License, and the BSD license.
Read more »ODF translation to be simplified
South African localisation experts, Translate.org.za, have launched a new project to simplify ODF document translation.
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Microsoft to EU Commission: We're Not the Bad Guy; You Are [MS Doc as Text]
Sean Daly has kindly prepared a text version of the EU-LEX notice of Microsoft's complaint against the EU Commission, found in the latest EU Official Journal. Microsoft says the fine announced in February is too high. It should be annulled, and if not, they ask that it be reduced. Oh, and it would like the EU Commission to pay costs.
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Tackling software patents innovatively
The contentious issue of software patents is rearing its head again, both in India and globally. The Indian Patent Office, for instance, invited companies and institutions to comment on its Draft Manual 2008 — Patent Practice & Procedure (software patents included) this April.
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How Viacom Ambushed YouTube and You
I found some evidence Google tried hard to protect user confidentiality, in some letters to the judge in the court docket of Viacom v. YouTube. After the Order [PDF; text here] issued, Google didn't give up, but is continuing even now by asking the court in a letter to reconsider the decision and let them redact personally identifiable data.
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Groklaw Wins Prix Ars Electronica 2008 Honorable Mention
Groklaw has been recognized with a 2008 Prix Ars Electronica Honorable Mention, in the category of Digital Communities. Here's what that means: The "Digital Communities" category will honor important achievements by digital communities as well as innovative artistic approaches towards web-based communities.
Read more »European Parliament rushes towards Soviet Internet
Amendments to the European Telecommunications directive being rushed through the European Parliament propose a "Soviet internet" where software publishers and internet service providers watch traffic and data for Hollywood. Software and services that run on the internet would have to ask for permission of the regulators.
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ISO: The New USPTO (and It’s Not a Compliment)
ISO has become a laughing stock in the IT circles, says a seniors who (spear)headed OOXML. That won't matter much for PDF.
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EU holds firm on "open standard", US firms go ballistic
The EU Commission announced on June 25 that EIF/2.0 (The European Interoperability Framework which defines the rules for software used in e-Government) will hold the line as regards patents on standards.
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Time to school the FCC on what "free" really means
It's time to get ornery again with the FCC. Fortunately, they're asking for it, by soliciting comment on this FCC rulemaking proposal for "Service Rules for Advanced Wireless Services in the 1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, 2020-2025 MHz and 2175-2180 MHz Bands. It's a chocolate-covered spider.
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Defending Openness in the European Union
One of the most surprising recent developments in the field of openness has been the rise of Europe as a key player there. This is not the result of some grand plan, despite what the conspiracy theorists in proprietary software companies might think, but simply a natural evolution of the European Union itself, and a consequence of its attempts to become more tightly integrated.
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Barracuda launches reluctant legal offensive against Trend Micro
The already vicious lawsuit involving Barracuda Networks and Trend Micro that is currently in discovery in front of the American International Trade Commission (ITC) just turned nastier. Barracuda has filed its own patent infringement claim against Trend Micro, based upon three recently acquired patents.
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