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| | | February 23, 2003
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Sunday, February 23, 2003 |
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AOL fighting spam
America Online, the Internet unit of media conglomerate AOL Time Warner, reiterated on Thursday it would act out the company's long-running rhetoric on the ever-growing spam problem. By announcing the formation of a specialized task force and new efforts to push for tough legislation outlawing unsolicited commercial e-mail, the world's largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) is striving to repel the financial burden AOL has been incurring as a result of interminable loads of large-scale spam. In a separate development, America Online also noted new efforts to make its services more user-friendly by diminishing the amount of pop-up advertisements it serves. It was about time, AOL!
More from: CNET News.com | PC World | Reuters | Washington Post
Microsoft fights back
As big Internet-dependent corporations are bearing the brunt of the overwhelming spam problem, Microsoft, the biggest Internet-dependent company, decided it is no longer acceptable to inertly stand while being heavily pounded. The software giant filed suits in California against unidentified individuals who illegally harvested e-mail addresses from Microsoft's Hotmail service with the intention to spam. The lawsuits are expected to be followed by more actions on behalf of Microsoft, including more cases against abusers of Hotmail users and a strong push for legislation targeting bulk mailers.
More from: CNET News.com | PC World
Google expands, bloggers win. But why?
News that broke last week was officially corroborated on Monday when Pyra Labs Chief Executive Evan Williams and a Google spokesman confirmed that the world's most popular search service had acquired the blogging software maker. Due to the scanty details released about the deal, technology pundits immediately found themselves speculating on the significance of Google's acquisition. Reuters, for example, asserted that Google may be eyeing the publishing business after its launch of Google News, a news search portal. As Wired News ingeniously analyzed Google's recent expansion, the search engine was simply following its strategy -- creating an enormous data powerhouse with a mighty and intelligent search tool waiting at the front door. Google appears to be readying to implement witty scouring technology to sort through millions of messages posted by bloggers across the world. It may sound terrifying to the anti-monopolists out there, but Google seems to be caring little, turning itself into a matchless global destination providing real information with real views in real time.
More from: New York Times | Reuters | Washington Post | Wired News
Napster investment draws $17 billion lawsuit on Bertelsmann
Once again on the legal front, a music industry group has launched a lawsuit against German media giant Bertelsmann seeking $17 billion from the company. The plaintiffs cite "willful participation" by Bertelsmann in massive, worldwide infringement of intellectual property. Allured by the stunning popularity of Napster, Bertelsmann invested millions of dollars in an attempt to transform the skyrocketing cult towards Napster into a profitable, well-working paid online music service. A lawsuit, however, forced to company to close its open distribution system in 2001. After a prolonged endeavor to come up with the technology to filter out illicitly shared content, Napster declared bankruptcy. And Bertelsmann proved to be a dumb donkey. As the source of financial support, the media company had the opportunity to shut Napster down, but instead it squandered millions, while suing the company it practically owned. It was a matter of time for the smart people to realize who was to blame for the lost income. You deserve it, Bertelsmann!
More from: CNET News.com | Reuters
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