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Patents

Submission + - Apple to copy Windows DRM (theinquirer.net)

Submitted by
king_cipher
king_cipher writes: "Apple has decided that Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage is so wonderful that it is trying to patent something similar. Apple [has] been doing wonderful things this year to really miff its loyal fan base and it seems it wanted to close the year by nicking the thing that annoys even the most loyal Microsoft user. The outfit has updated the patent application it calls "Run-time Code Injection to Perform Checks". Apparently, the software phones home for an authenticity check. If the software is pirated then Jobs Mob shall deem the software unworthy in its sight and make it unusable. Currently, Apple does not dabble in the area of DRM-style security and would be well advised to stay away from it. After all WGA is one of the main reasons that people have stayed away from Vista."
Music

RIAA Writes Its Own News For Local TV 282

Posted by Zonk from the how-generous-of-them dept.
I Don't Believe in Imaginary Property writes "Did your local news recently do a two-minute clip on music copyright infringement? If so, you can thank the RIAA. They sent out a video press release to local news stations as part of their 'holiday anti-piracy campaign.' In it, they warn people that the best way to avoid counterfeit music is to avoid 'compilation CDs that could only exist in the dreams of a music fan' and to trust their ears, because illegally copied music usually sounds 'atrocious.' Instead, they encourage watchers to buy ringtones for Christmas."
The Media

Submission + - Computerworld eats babies. (computerworld.com) 1

Submitted by Lerc
Lerc writes: Computerworld has posted a response to people who called them on their use of the term Bricked in a recent article. They are standing beside their use of the term. It seems they support the idea of misleading headlines in order to gain reader attention arguing that the body of the article still provides accurate information. "The facts in the article are clear and straightforward, and if the headline gets the attention of one user who *won't* walk up to you Wednesday morning with a cheesed laptop, I think you'll agree the verbal slap upside the head is worth it."
Biotech

Journal Journal: Cancer Stem Cells May Be at the Root of Brain Tumors

Journal by stemceller
Stem cells -- popularly known as a source of biological rejuvenation -- may play harmful roles in the body, specifically in the growth and spread of cancer. Amongst the wildly dividing cells of a tumor, scientists have located cancer stem cells. Physician-scientists from Weill Cornell Medical College are studying these cells with hopes of combating malignant cancers in the brain.
NASA

Submission + - NASA awards government tech invention of the year (networkworld.com)

Submitted by
coondoggie
coondoggie writes: "Sounds like something straight out of a Terminator movie: A device that can act like muscle and nerves to expand and contract surfaces is the NASA Government Invention of the Year. The Macro-Fiber Composite, or MFC, is made up of ceramic fibers and can be attached to a structure to bend it, reduce vibrations and monitor force. By applying voltage to the MFC, the ceramic fibers change shape to expand or contract and turn the resulting force into a bending or twisting action on the material. MFC technology could also find its way into inflatable space structures can be used for antennas, communication satellites, space station trusses, and solar sail support structures, NASA said."
Space

Universe May Be Running Out of Time 343

Posted by Zonk from the ticking-clock dept.
RenHoek writes "With heat death, the big crunch and quite a few other nasty ways in which the universe could see its demise, we can now add "running out of time" to the list. A team of scientists came up with a new theory that would solve the problem of the elusive dark energy that seems to be accelerating the expansion of the universe. They figure that the universe is not speeding up but we are, in relation to the outer regions of space, slowing down. Tests with the upcoming Large Hadron Collider will give more insight if we're going to end up frozen in time."
Government

Submission + - Army Buys Macs to beef up security

Submitted by agent_blue
agent_blue writes: The Army is integrating macs into their IT network to thwart hack attempts. the Mac platform, they argue Mac are more secure because there are less attacks against macs than there is against windows based systems. Story Here
Movies

Submission + - Why Blockbuster Total Access Doesn't Work

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: In theory, Blockbuster has a better offering than Netflix in that it "lets you rent online with the flexibility to exchange movies in-store, so you never have to wait for a movie." That is, according to the marketing pitch plastered all over its homepage. But I decided to see just how "total" Total Access is: http://www.techconsumer.com/2007/12/21/the-blockbuster-total-access-fallacy/
Privacy

Submission + - Scroogle.org alternative to Google.com spying

Submitted by carp3_noct3m
carp3_noct3m writes: Scroogle.org (please don't go to Scroogle.com, its pr0n) Offers a good alternative to Google.com and their lack of privacy. from http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article3055825.ece "The London-based watchdog Privacy International ranked Google as "hostile to privacy" in its survey of internet firms, its lowest rating. Rivals Yahoo and Microsoft also fared poorly." "Google, the industry leader, stores personal information for 18 months, as does Microsoft's search engine. Yahoo and Time Warner's AOL retain search requests for 13 months." So, if you're like me and have been looking for a Google alternative, this may be it, at least until its shutdown.
Privacy

Submission + - NSA has real-time access to Hushmail servers

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: A frequent source 'A' sending updated NSA-Affiliated IP resources to Cryptome's Web site has reported the following new information:

"Certain privacy/full session SSL email hosting services have been purchased/changed operational control by NSA and affiliates within the past few months, through private intermediary entities."

Reportedly the following services are controlled:

Hushmail / Canada (http://www.hushmail.com/ ), Guardster / USA (http://www.guardster.com/ ), and SAFe-mail.net / Israel (http://www.safe-mail.net/ )

Link: NSA Controls SSL Email Hosting Services: http://cryptome.org/nsa-ssl-email.htm

SecuriTeam Blogs: http://blogs.securiteam.com/?p=1052

Additionally, there is more information about NSA's role on Windows security software industry provided ('further details regarding which publishers and their means of facilitation' mentioned by Cryptome post on 1st Nov, link mentioned in Bugtraq post referenced below).

Cryptome: NSA has access to Windows Mobile smartphones http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/483129
Republicans

Submission + - 400 Scientists Dispute Global Warming Claims

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: A recent U.S. Senate report refutes the claims that there is a scientific consensus on the issue of man-made global warming. From the article, "Over 400 prominent scientists from more than two dozen countries recently voiced significant objections to major aspects of the so-called "consensus" on man-made global warming. These scientists, many of whom are current and former participants in the UN IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), criticized the climate claims made by the UN IPCC and former Vice President Al Gore."
The Courts

Submission + - Playing Mortal Kombat Used as defense

Submitted by techpawn
techpawn writes: "The "Mortal Kombat" explanation that two Colorado teens are using in a murder case won't work as a defense. Two Teens killed a 7 year old emulating moves from the Mortal Kombat video game. "There is no such defense as, 'The video game made me do it.' It won't even act as mitigation at sentencing if these teens are convicted," legal analyst Scott Robinso One of the 17 year old defendants claims he didn't stop due to intoxication. One wonders if he heard "FINISH HER" while drunk.
United States

Submission + - Lakota Sioux Declare Sovereign Nation Status (commondreams.org)

Submitted by
eternal1001
eternal1001 writes: "Totally, Unbelievably AMAZING! Why isn't this in the major news outlets? This is massive international news, and I had a heck of a time searching for details on it:

Freedom! Lakota Sioux Indians Declare Sovereign Nation Status

Threaten Land Liens, Contested Real Estate Over Five State Area in U.S.West Dakota Territory Reverts back to Lakota Control According to U.S., International Law

WASHINGTON, DC — December 20 — Lakota Sioux Indian representatives declared sovereign nation status today in Washington D.C. following Monday's withdrawal from all previously signed treaties with the United States Government. The withdrawal, hand delivered to Daniel Turner, Deputy Director of Public Liaison at the State Department, immediately and irrevocably ends all agreements between the Lakota Sioux Nation of Indians and the United States Government outlined in the 1851 and 1868 Treaties at Fort Laramie Wyoming.

"This is an historic day for our Lakota people," declared Russell Means, Itacan of Lakota. "United States colonial rule is at its end!""

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