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Google criticised for anti-piracy efforts

A US congressional hearing into IP piracy has suggested that Google was falling short in its anti-piracy efforts. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee’s Intellectual Property, Competition and the Internet Subcommittee that is investigating Web sites accused of pirating intellectual property, noted certain of Google’s efforts, such as removing apps connected with […]

April 7, 2011By Colin Mann

Grupo Televisa to enter mobile phone market?

Mexican television broadcaster, Grupo Televisa has confirmed that it is in talks with the mobile network operator, Grupo Iusacell over a possible joint-venture. Televisa said that it intends to enter in the mobile phone market, either through a direct investment or a reselling arrangement, because it expects growth in the industry. The move is a […]

April 7, 2011

Prescott: News Corp Sky bid should be blocked

News Corp’s proposed takeover of BSkyB should be delayed until the police conclude their phone-hacking inquiry, Lord Prescott has said. He told the House of Lords it would be “totally unacceptable” for a company “actively involved at all levels in criminal acts” to be given control. The peer says he and others were victims of […]

April 7, 2011

HomeGrid Forum hails smart grid breakthrough as ITU-T Aadvances G.hnem recommendations

The HomeGrid Forum today hasthe news that the G.hnem standard has entered the final stages of approval at the ITU, the UN’s International Telecommunications Union. Two new recommendations, G.9955 (PHY and system architecture) and G.9956 (DLL) form the global G.hnem standard for low frequency (9-500 KHz) powerline communications (PLC) for smart meters, energy management systems, […]

April 7, 2011

DISH Network makes Blockbuster purchase

DISH Network Corporation has been selected as the winning bidder in the bankruptcy court auction for substantially all of the assets of movie rental store Blockbuster, Inc. DISH Network’s winning bid was valued at approximately $320 million. After certain adjustments are made at closing of the transaction, including adjustments for available cash and inventory, DISH […]

April 6, 2011By Colin Mann

Bob McAlpine named Vice President of Sales, North America at Cobalt Digital

Gene Zimmerman, president of Cobalt Digital  has announced that Bob McAlpine  has been named vice president of sales, North America. McAlpine, a well-respected industry veteran with over 35 years of sales management experience, will oversee Cobalt’s highly experienced US-based sales organisation. He will report to Chris Shaw  who was simultaneously promoted to senior vice president […]

April 6, 2011

Music Choice Europe sold

Music Choice Europe (MCE) is being bought by Montreal-based Stingray Digital. MCE currently has some 10 million subscribers listening to more than 70 commercial free audio services.  Stingray Digital is a privately-held business, established in 2007 by Eric Bioyko and Alexandre Taillefer.  In August last year it bought Concert TV, an interactive VOD service.  Terms […]

April 5, 2011From Chris Forrester @ MIP

Hollywood studios sue Zediva streaming

Six Hollywood studios are suing an Internet movie-rental site, Zediva, claiming the Silicon Valley start-up infringes their copyright by streaming films over the web directly from DVD players. Zediva streams movies shortly after they are available on DVD – but weeks before legitimate sites such as Netflix have them available. Its members pay as little […]

April 5, 2011

TiVo about to bounce back?

Shares have climbed over five per cent in recent  days as Wall Street gossip suggested that a federal  court could be releasing positive news for TiVo any day now. At this stage any such gossip is just that, but investors would love to see a favourable end to TiVo’s very long-running patent dispute with Charlie […]

April 5, 2011

WPP backs Vice network

Vice is preparing to announce investment partnerships with Tom Freston, MTV’s co-founder; WPP, the giant media conglomerate; and the Raine Group, a boutique investment firm. To help it expand, Vice has also enlisted William Morris Endeavor Entertainment and its chief executive, Ari Emanuel, to represent the company. “We’ve kind of been on the periphery for […]

April 5, 2011