Stories by Simon Taylor

EU move prompts fresh fears about software patents

The European Union's request for comments on an effective way to protect intellectual property in Europe has prompted fears of a renewed attempt to allow software to be patented, after an earlier patents initiative was blocked last year.

EU approves two-year data retention policy

Telecommunications companies and ISPs (Internet service providers) face a massive increase in data storage requirements after European Union lawmakers voted Wednesday to require companies to keep data for up to two years.

EU seeks to limit data retention rules to one year

Members of the European Parliament's civil liberties committee voted on Thursday to limit to 12 months the maximum period for which telephone companies and ISPs (Internet service providers) should store call data logs.

Vendor charges Microsoft with 'predatory pricing'

A Swedish vendor of home media centre software has complained to the European Union's antitrust watchdog that Microsoft is using "predatory pricing" to shut it out of the digital home market, it confirmed earlier this week.

EC: telcos should be paid for helping tackle terrorism

The European Commission is proposing telecommunications operators and internet service providers should be compensated for the extra costs of collecting and storing call data to help law enforcement officers track terrorists.

European Parliament rejects patent law proposal

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to reject proposed legislation that critics argued would have allowed the widespread patenting of software in Europe.

EU will decide Microsoft fine within weeks

The European Commission, the antitrust regulator of the European Union, will decide whether to fine Microsoft up to 5 percent of its daily global turnover in "several weeks" starting from June 1, it said on Monday.

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