Microsoft, HP settle war of tiny words
The US Federal Trade Commission announced Tuesday that it has settled charges of unfair and deceptive advertising against Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard .
Stories by Keith Perine
Showdown at the Lexis-Nexis Corral
Next Wednesday, the US Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a copyright case that has fast become a landmark for the digital age. Much as the Napster Inc. imbroglio will help determine the future of the intersecting worlds of music and technology, the high court's decision in the New York Times (NYT) vs. Tasini could reshape the electronic publishing of written work and photographs.
DOJ's Microsoft Buster to Step Down
US Assistant Attorney General Joel Klein has announced that he is stepping down from his post as the US Department of Justice's chief antitrust enforcer at the end of September.
And You Thought You Had Credit Card Trouble
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission announced Thursday that it has won a $37.5 million judgment against two California residents who purchased a database list of credit card numbers and used it to fraudulently bill thousands of consumers for alleged visits to adult-oriented Web sites.
An American Dream Gone Bad
For better or for worse, Value America Inc. always was a pioneer. Born in Nevada in 1996, the company was one of the first to spot the promise of the Internet to streamline retail delivery.
Microsoft Plays the Squeaky Wheel
Microsoft MSFT) urged the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday - for the second time - to send the court-ordered breakup of the software giant back down to an appeals court for initial review.
Federal Judge Overturns Net Porn Law
A federal judge has ruled that a Virginia law aimed at blocking children's online access to adult material violates First Amendment free-speech protections and the constitutional interstate commerce clause. The opinion by U.S. District Judge James H. Michael Jr. marks the latest in a string of defeats for activists trying to apply historical standards for adult material to the Internet.
Who Are the Privacy Police?
Dealing with Toysmart wasn't fun and games for the Federal Trade Commission. But it was a lesson in how privacy is a very public business.
Toysmart Settles with FCC
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission voted 3-2 Thursday to accept a settlement with ToysMart.com forbidding the defunct Internet toy retailer from selling off its customer data as a separate asset during bankruptcy proceedings. The FTC on Friday also announced new charges against Toysmart.com Inc., alleging that it violated federal law by collecting personal data from children.
Lawsuit Says You Can't Escape Netscape
America Online Inc. is the target of a class action that accuses its Netscape Communications Corp. subsidiary of violating federal privacy laws.
FTC Cracks Down on 'Free Computer' Deals
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on what it says are deceptive advertising practices by Value America Inc., Buy.com Inc. and Office Depot Inc.. The FTC accuses all three companies of offering computer rebates predicated on the purchase of three years of Internet service, without fairly disclosing all of the terms of the deal.
Microsoft Responds to DOJ Maneuver
In a clever strategy designed to force Microsoft Corp.'s legal hand, government lawyers have asked U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson not to rule immediately on the company's motion that he stay last week's "final judgment." The government wants Jackson to wait until Microsoft formally files its appeal before he rules on its stay motion. That way, Jackson can simultaneously rule on the stay motion and send his ruling straight to the U.S. Supreme Court for review.
FTC, Online Ad Firms Haggle Over Privacy
In the wake of last month's Federal Trade Commission recommendation that Congress pass basic online privacy laws, a group of Internet ad-server companies is continuing to hold secret talks with the FTC and the Commerce Department about a set of self-imposed privacy standards for the online-advertising industry in lieu of new privacy legislation.
Jackson Tries to Force Microsoft's Hand
U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson has announced that he will not rule on Microsoft Corp.'s request that his entire "final judgment" be stayed pending appeal until Microsoft actually files notice that it will appeal the case.
DOJ Asks Judge Not to Rule on MS Stay Motion
In a clever strategy designed to force Microsoft
Corp.'s legal hand, the software giant's U.S. government adversaries today
asked U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson not to rule on Microsoft's
motion that he stay last week's breakup order right away.