Europe Taking Up Question of Software Patentability

This must be a day for patent news. Earlier, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reaffirmed the previous In Re Bilski case so that, barring some reversal by the U.S. Supreme Court, a huge number of business method patents will be invalid, including software patents and financial method patents used in the financial services industry. Ironically, it looks as though the European Patent Office is bringing in its big legal guns regarding the contentious issue of software patents.

• Oct 31, 2008

Bilski Decision Leaves Business Method Patents in Dire Straits

Today the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) affirmed a previous ruling in the In Re Bilski case, striking down many (if not most) business method patents and setting the stage for a likely appeal to the Supreme Court. At stake is whether companies will be able to continue a trend ...

• Oct 30, 2008

Tech Roundup: Wireless Cutbacks, Semiconductor Red Ink, AT&T and Starbucks, More

Consumers seriously considering cutting back on cell phone service; semiconductor foundries face losses; web-ad broker shakeup happening; AT&T still talking about an iPhone wireless promotion at Starbucks; and EA spends almost $10 million in 18 months marketing Madden NFL.

• Oct 30, 2008

Ah, Blu-ray, We Hardly Knew Thee: Death of Sony's HD Technology

Someone might argue that it's early for a headstone, but the signs are clear: Sony's scheme to own a video format has crumbled. All the money, all the time, all the effort, all for nothing. Between burdensome pricing, consumer indifference, and significant competition, the end is probably already written and the market is just coasting, waiting for the knell and the pall.

• Oct 29, 2008

Tech Roundup: Google Books, LinkedIn Apps, Wireless Power, More

Google settles suit with publishers, authors; LinkedIn launches app platorm; MIT spin-off tries to power devices through wireless; Logitech buys video communications company; and Office almost goes virtual.

• Oct 29, 2008

Signs Look Bad for Tech Sector Spending

Over on ZDNet, Sam Diaz argued that a tech downturn won't be like the dot com bust and, for a number of reasons, that things won't get that bad. I've got to disagree â€" not with his observations about how ingrained technology is, but on the ultimate outcome, because it depends on a whole lot more than how much people and companies want their gadgets and software. What is happening now could get a whole lot worse.

• Oct 29, 2008

Q&A with Spock.com's Jay Bhatti

Q&A with Spock.com co-founder Jay Bhatti.

• Oct 28, 2008

Tech Financing: Defaults On The Rise

The financiers of technology projects are seeing defaults rise and that ups the ante for customers looking for credit and the vendors extending loans. The Wall Street Journal connects the dots. In September, 0.86 percent of equipment loansâ€"that includes office gearâ€"were written off. Thatâ...

• Oct 28, 2008

Why This Tech Downturn Won't Be Like the Dot-Com Bust

Talk about a doom-and-gloom outlook for the tech economy. Tech entrepreneur Jason Calacanis - founder of Silicon Alley Reporter, Weblogs, and Mahalo.com - has fired off a pretty glass-half-empty message to startups, via his e-mail subscription list. It's been about a week since Calacanis ann...

• Oct 28, 2008

Tech Roundup: Windows in Clouds, Cox Goes Wireless, AOL Death Spiral, More

Microsoft has cloud version of Windows for developers but only if they are only using Microsoft cloud services; the standalone VCR is now but a memory; Cox Communications decides to join the wireless carrier party; AOL plans on shuttering more services; and Nvidia denies additional lay-off rumors.

• Oct 28, 2008

Does Apple Get $36 Monthly Service Revenue for Each iPhone?

In Apple's earnings announcement the other day, it would be easy to overlook that it was starting to report results in both GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) and non-GAAP forms. Accounting standards are a soporific to many, but when a company moves from one to the other, it's time to pay attention -- particularly when, like Apple, the company won't be using the same form of reporting as used by its competitors in what will likely be one of its major product lines: cell phones. But the combination of the two reports offer some insight into just how much money an iPhone makes for the company.

• Oct 28, 2008

What Do E-book Readers Need to Catch Fire?

Amazon certainly orchestrated a coup in getting Oprah Winfrey's endorsement of the Kindle. But while that will continue the product's momentum, it's unlikely to be enough to revolutionize the book business. That's because, as often happens, tech companies get too focused on what their technologies can do and forget to look closely enough at what consumers need to support long-established habits. But there are some upcoming developments, like e-paper, that could, with a few changes, help the business leap along.

• Oct 27, 2008

Components Suggest 2009 Downturn in Electronics

One way to get a fix on how the electronics market will do is by looking at projections for components and retail. If companies aren't buying parts, then pretty much by definition there aren't going to be enough products available to keep sales flat, even if consumers and businesses wanted to purchase. By that measure, things are looking grim for next year.

• Oct 27, 2008

Tech Roundup: Apple U., Handset Freefall, ZeroG Funding, Tech Firms Finance, More

Mobile analysts say brace for sharp drop in handset sales next year; Apple snags dean of Yale School of Management for continuing employee education program; ZeroG Wireless gets $17 million in funding for embedded Wi-Fi; tech firms expand lending to customers when banks cut back; and Microsoft studies how emerging markets use technology.

• Oct 27, 2008

Tech Roundup: Kindle Discount, Sprint Slams Android, Wipro Downturn, More

Wireless proteciton more often there but in weak form; Amazon offers an Oprah price break on the Kindle; Sprint's CEO slams Android; and Wipro expects downturn.

• Oct 26, 2008

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