The death of Google’s patents. And maybe software patents too?
I'm actually very surprised this hasn't been picked up on any of the major tech sites. Here's the first sentence from the article:
"The Patent and Trademark Office has now made clear that its newly developed position on patentable subject matter will invalidate many and perhaps most software patents, including pioneering patent claims to such innovators as Google, Inc."
Wow! This would seem to be a complete reversal of the PTO's position (patenting world+dog is ok). If true, it could certainly be beneficial for Free and Open Source software, but more importantly, it could restore some much needed creativity and competition to the tech world that now goes to filing, defending, and getting sued over patents.
Full article is here.
TIA Lives On…
The uber-spying program that was killed off a few years back is back with a new name: "Basketball". Read all about it here.
Ohio Also Passes Law Against Recording In Cinema
madmancarman writes "Following California's lead, Ohio has also passed a law making recording in a movie theatre a crime. A first offense would be punishable ... Via Slashdot.
Ohio adopting scarlet letter for drivers caught under the influence
Basically, the State of Ohio has adopted a new law that will require individuals caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs to display special license plates--eye catching, bright license plates with (you guess it) red numbering. Via Ars Technica.
In a word: "Ouch".
There goes the neighborhood
As if the Bush administration hasn't done enough, now they outsource their campain fund raising call centers to India. A sign of things to come if Bush is re-elected?
Group wants DHS agency to review deal with Microsoft
The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) is criticizing last month's decision by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to exclusively use Microsoft Corp. software, arguing that recent computer virus and worm attacks against Microsoft products are evidence that such a decision is a poor choice. The word "duh" quickly comes to mind.
Ashcroft: Patriot Act on Parade
As the antiterrorism USA Patriot Act continues to lose public support, Attorney General John Ashcroft launches a coast-to-coast tour of political persuasion this week to boost the president's bid for re-election. Via Wired News.
siliconvalley.internet.com: AMD Tapped for Gov. Linux Clusters
"The U.S. Department of Energy Thursday said it is building two separate large-scale Linux clusters using more than 3,300 AMD Opteron processors..." Via Linux Today.
My take:
I'd have to say that even though AMD's Opteron has only been out for a short while, it sure seems to be making faster progress than Intel's Itanium. Or maybe it's just me. =)
RIAA Methods Under Scrutiny
Concerned by the heavy-handed way in which the music industry is going after file traders, a Senate subcommittee will hold hearings into the tactics used. Via Wired News.
All I can say is that it's about steenking time!