WebProNews

Microsoft Appealing Record Fine From The EU

Microsoft said it is appealing a record $1.39 billion (899 million euro) fine from the European Commission for using high prices to reduce software competition."Microsoft today filed to the (EU) Court of First Instance an application to annul the European Commission decision of February 27,"the company said in statement. "We are filing this appeal in a constructive effort to seek clarity from the court."

Europe Votes Against Online Copyright Law

The European Parliament shot down the proposal to ban file sharing by private individuals and dropped the idea to bar copyright abusers from the Internet.In a close vote, 314 Members of the European Parliament voted to reject an amendment that would have protected copyright on the Internet and 297 voted against throwing out the amendment.

EU Sets Broadband Goal Of 30 Percent By 2010

In order to stimulate economic growth top regulators of the European Commission said they want to increase broadband coverage in the European Union from 20 percent to 30 percent by 2010.Information Society Commissioner Viviane Reding said eight of the EU's 27 member states have surpassed the United States in broadband penetration, with Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden leading the way with penetration rates over 30 percent at the end of 2007.

EU Seniors To Get Help Staying Connected Online

The European Parliament has given its approval to provide funding for research into using technology like the Internet to keep the elderly connected.

Google's Acquisition of DoubleClick Complete

Finally Google has successfully completed the acquisition of DoubleClick, a leading Internet advertising service providers. And even EU has given a green signal to the merger and therefore from now onwards DoubleClick would be owned by Google unchallenged.

EU Investigates U.S. Online Gambling Laws

The European Union is launching an investigation into a possible international trade violation by the United States for discriminatory trade practices against foreign online gambling companies.

Unofficially, Google Wins DoubleClick Deal In EU

Rumors from people close to the discussion about the European Union approving Google's DoubleClick acquisition say the deal will be approved without conditions.

EU To Consider Internet Censorship A Trade Barrier

The European Parliament has passed a proposal that would penalize countries for censoring content on the Internet.

EU Says Search Engines Must Follow Rules

The European Union says that all Internet search engines must comply with EU privacy rules no matter where they are based. This would include Google, Microsoft and Yahoo among others.

EU Wants To Extend Copyrights For Musicians

The European Union's internal market commissioner Charlie McCreevy has proposed extending the copyright protection for music performers from 50 years to 95 years. "It is the performer who gives life to the composition and while most of us have no idea who wrote our favorite song - we can usually name the performer, " McCreevy said. If the copyright protection is not extended thousands of European performers who recorded in the late fifties and sixties will lose all of their royalties over the next ten years.