A federal judge has dismissed a movie company's Internet piracy complaint against 34 Oregonians, saying the company was unfairly using the court's subpoena power in a "reverse class-action suit" to save on legal expenses and possibly to intimidate defendants into paying thousands of dollars for viewing a movie that can be bought or rented for less than $10.
Technology
Russians attempt to topple Google in Vietnam
Vietnam's booming Internet scene is littered with failed startups that tried to take on Google and other entrenched U.S web companies. That's not deterring a newly launched Russian-Vietnamese outfit which believes it can unseat the American search engine in this fast-growing Asian market.
Hedge fund boss Loeb lobbies for breakup of Sony
The U.S. hedge fund manager renowned for shaking up Yahoo Inc. has set his sights on Sony Corp., proposing that the Japanese electronics giant spin off up to 20 percent of its movie, TV and music division and use the money to strengthen its ailing device manufacturing unit.
Update to address Windows 8 confusion will be free
A planned Windows 8 update to address complaints and confusion with Microsoft's new operating system will be made available for free this year, the company said Tuesday.
Microsoft embraces a Google service for a change
In a rare bit of cooperation, Microsoft's Outlook.com is giving users of its free email service the option of logging into Google Chat to exchange instant messages and engage in audio or video conversations.
BlackBerry CEO unveils 'slim, sleek' new version
BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd. unveiled a lower-cost BlackBerry that is designed to entice consumers in emerging markets as the company stepped up efforts to regain market share lost to the iPhone and Android devices.
Nokia unveils metallic smartphone, stock tumbles
Nokia Corp. has unveiled its first Lumia smartphone with a metal cover, low-light camera features and new social network apps. But the new model failed to impress markets, sending the company's stock down.
German court orders changes to Google search hints
Google Inc. must respect requests to remove autocomplete entries from its search bar in Germany if they are defamatory, a German court ruled Tuesday.
Big 4 cellphone carriers unite on anti-texting ads
The country's four biggest cellphone companies are set to launch their first joint advertising campaign against texting while driving, uniting behind AT&T's "It Can Wait" slogan to blanket TV and radio this summer.
Embarrassed by your online past? This company will rescue you
Ever want to hide those embarrassing MySpace photos from eons ago? Reputation Changer, a company that says it can hide your digital past, gave the KATU Problem Solvers an example of how the service works.
Gadgets help track big city carbon footprints
It's part of a budding effort to track the carbon footprints of megacities, urban hubs with over 10 million people that are increasingly responsible for human-caused global warming.
World grapples with rise in cyber crime
International law enforcement agencies say the recent $45 million dollar ATM heist is just one of many scams they're fighting in an unprecedented wave of sophisticated cyberattacks.
More than just a mom, now she's your Facebook 'friend'
As Mother's Day approaches, 1 in 3 mothers are connected with their teens over Facebook, according to the social networking giant's review of how users self-identify.
YouTube's new pay channels go from campy to kids
Roger Corman's campy B movies, children's shows like "Sesame Street" and "Inspector Gadget," and inspirational monologues by celebrities - these are among the offerings on 30 channels that will soon require a paid monthly subscription on YouTube.
AT&T launches prepaid cellphone business
AT&T is launching a prepaid cellphone service — Aio Wireless. The new subsidiary will offer nationwide wireless service to value-conscious customers interested in unlimited talk, text and data plans without an annual contract.