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Replying To:
Used News: Ridiculous Patents, Biometric DRM

By Jeff Foster, Section UnFairUse
Posted on Sun Jun 06, 2004 at 09:21:12 PM PDT
I was hired this week to help my mother-in-law's neighbor fix her computer. I had no idea how bad the spyware situation was until I got there. This computer was infested with 47(!) dialers, Gator, and various other awful infestations. Even after running both Spybot and Adaware, I'm not sure that I got rid of it all. Personally, I blame Microsoft. IE won the browser war, and look where it has gotten us. Anyone who isn't technically inclined ends up with a unusable computer full of spyware and viri. Pretty sad.

Is there something I missed this week or something you think I should know about? Let me know by leaving a comment below or emailing me at Jeff@malgenic.org

Microsoft Patents Double-click
 There have been so many ridiculous patents issued over the years, it would be difficult to say that this one takes the cake, but off the top of my head, I can't come up with one that's worse. Microsoft has, as the headline says, patented the double click. The main thrust of the patent reads: "A method and system are provided for extending the functionality of application buttons on a limited resource computing device. Alternative application functions are launched based on the length of time an application button is pressed." While obsufacated, it does indeed seem to be a patent on the double click. Microsoft will not comment on why they filed the patent, what it applies to, or if or how it will be enforced.

Yahoo Anti-spyware Cheats
A report at of all placess Yahoo News describes how a beta of Yahoo's new spyware removal tool doesn't remove spyware from companies that Yahoo is associated with. It is not clear whether the spyware in question will be removed in future versions.

RIAA Wants Biometric DRM
According to the Register, the RIAA is teamed up with a company called Veritouch to try to lock digital media files to biometric features, like fingerprints. In other words, one couldn't play or copy a file unless it was associated with your fingerprints. They are also looking to limit CD burning in other ways.

SCO Buys out Baystar's A-1 Stock
In a surprising move (at least to me), SCO has bought back Baystar's 40,000 A-1 stock options. Baystar had just recently purchased RBC's 20,000 A-1 options, and with this purchase, SCO has no major investors and completely controls its business destiny. With that bit of news, one would think they'll be out of business within the week.

SCO Stock Watch
DOWN 1.7% to $5.10

Other News of Note

  • Pop-up Blocker Attacks
  • Your Computer is Bad for You
  • Network Associates Anti-spam Patent
  • Harry Potter Helps Spread E-mail Virus
  • AOL settles customer class action on late charges

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