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Submission + - Yet another call for abolishing patents, this one from the Fed (theatlantic.com) 1

Submitted by WOOFYGOOFY
WOOFYGOOFY writes: The most recent call for curtailing patents comes not just from an unexpected source, the St. Louis Fed, but also in its most basic form- total abolition of ALL patents.

Via the Atlantic Monthly,

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/09/the-case-for-abolishing-patents-yes-all-of-them/262913/

a new working paper from two members of the St. Louis Federal Reserve, Michele Boldrin and David Levine:

http://research.stlouisfed.org/wp/2012/2012-035.pdf

in which they argue that while a weak patent system may mildly increase innovation with limited side-effects, such a system can never be contained and will inevitably lead a stifling patent system such as that presently found in the U.S.

They argue: "...strong patent systems retard innovation with many negative side-effects. and ..political demand for stronger patent protection comes from old and stagnant industries and firms, not from new and innovative ones. Hence the best solution is to abolish patents entirely through strong constitutional measures and to find other legislative instruments, less open to lobbying and rent-seeking".

They acknowledge that some industries could suffer under a such a system, they single out pharma, and suggest that other legislative measures be found to foster innovation whenever there is clear evidence that laissez-faire under-supplies it.
Biotech

Submission + - First mammals observed regenerating tissue (nature.com)

Submitted by
ananyo
ananyo writes: "Two species of African spiny mouse have been caught at something no other mammal is known to do — completely regenerating damaged tissue. The work could help improve wound healing in humans.
The species — Acomys kempi and Acomys percivali — have skin that is brittle and easily torn, which helps them to escape predators by jettisoning patches of their skin when caught or bitten. Researchers report that whereas normal laboratory mice (Mus musculus) grow scar tissue when their skin is removed, African spiny mice can regrow complete suites of hair follicles, skin, sweat glands, fur and even cartilage (abstract). Tissue regeneration has not been seen in mammals before, though it is common in crustaceans, insects, reptiles and amphibians."
Microsoft

Submission + - EU set to charge Microsoft over ruling breach (reuters.com)

Submitted by
quippe
quippe writes: "Microsoft Corp will be charged for failing to comply with a 2009 ruling ordering it to offer a choice of web browsers, the European Union's antitrust chief said on Thursday, which could mean a hefty fine for the company

U.S.-based Microsoft's more than decade-long battle with the European Commission has already landed it with fines totaling more than a billion euros ($1.28 billion).

The Commission, which opened an investigation into the issue in July, is now preparing formal charges against the company, EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said."
Privacy

Submission + - Why Privacy Matters Even if You Have 'Nothing to Hide' (chronicle.com)

Submitted by zer0point
zer0point writes: When the government gathers or analyzes personal information, many people say they're not worried. "I've got nothing to hide," they declare. "Only if you're doing something wrong should you worry, and then you don't deserve to keep it private."

"The nothing-to-hide argument pervades discussions about privacy. The data-security expert Bruce Schneier calls it the "most common retort against privacy advocates." The legal scholar Geoffrey Stone refers to it as an "all-too-common refrain." In its most compelling form, it is an argument that the privacy interest is generally minimal, thus making the contest with security concerns a foreordained victory for security."

Excellent article that highlights why Mark Zuckerberg's "end of privacy" mandate will never be the norm.
Linux

Submission + - Linus Torvalds awarded the Millenial Technology Prize (technologyacademy.fi)

Submitted by Karrde712
Karrde712 writes: In a first for the Millenial Technology Prize, both Laureates were awarded the prize. Linus Torvalds was recognized for the creation of the Linux kernel and its continuing impact on enhancing scientific progress throughout the world. Dr. Shinya Yamanaka was recognized for his work in the development of induced pluripotent stem cells for medical research.
Google

Submission + - UK reopens investigation into Google Street View (msn.com)

Submitted by Pigskin-Referee
Pigskin-Referee writes: Britain's data regulator has reopened its investigation into Google's Street View, saying Tuesday that an inquiry by authorities in the United States raised new doubts about the disputed program.

Steve Eckersley, enforcement chief of the British Information Commissioner's Office, said Google Inc. had questions to answer about Street View, an attention-grabbing project which sent camera-toting vehicles across the globe to create three-dimensional maps of the world's highways and byways.

But the cars weren't just taking pictures: They were scooping up passwords, Web addresses, emails, and other sensitive data transmitted over unsecured wireless networks.

There was outrage on both sides of the Atlantic when the data-slurping was exposed in early 2010, and the Information Commissioner's Office was one of several European agencies which investigated Street View in the aftermath of the scandal. But in November of that year, the ICO gave Google a mere slap on the wrist, saying that while Google had violated British data protection laws it would escape any fines so long as it pledged not to do it again.

At the time, Google insisted that the breach was an accident.

"We did not want this data, have never used any of it on our products and services, and have sought to delete it as quickly as possible," the company claimed back then.

Evidence made public earlier this year by the Federal Communications Commission has since punctured Google's "oops-I-took-your-data" defense.
Education

Submission + - British Schools Get 'Open Source' ICT Curriculum (techweekeurope.co.uk)

Submitted by
judgecorp
judgecorp writes: "British schools now have what has been described as an open source ICT curriculum, after the Department for Education effectively rebooted the system. The existing ICT curriculum has been torn up, following criticism from Google's Eric Schimdt among others, even though a full new National Curriculum (which willl include ICT) is still two years away. This means that when schools start in September 2012, there will still be ICT exams for the children, but Britain's teachers can teach the subject however they like, trying out new ideas. The analogy with open source may not be exact, but the prospect is very exciting."
Windows

Submission + - Current Windows Phone Devices Not Upgradable (winsupersite.com)

Submitted by MCSEBear
MCSEBear writes: Long time Microsoft insider, Paul Thurrott, in his article "Is Time Running Out for Windows Phone?" drops a bombshell for current purchasers of Windows Phone devices:

For users, it’s bad: I’ve been told that absolutely no current Windows Phone handsets will be upgraded to Windows Phone 8

Customers who purchase the current Microsoft/Nokia flagship phone will never receive a single update to the next version of the OS. In contrast, this is something that would never happen to a customer who purchased a flagship Nexus or iPhone where one (or more) updates are a given.

Submission + - PTC Clixant Scam (hardiyantohartono.com)

Submitted by
hardiyanto
hardiyanto writes: "clixant ptc PTC scam finally fell more local

PTC Scam Clixant. Eventually collapse again one local ptc. Age clixant himself wrote only 2 months. You could say the admin clixant emang intention launching scam from the beginning. If only 2 months old can be sure that invest in PTC clixant have come up short. Invest was not exactly just wrote ngeklik community service advertisement but not paid as I am in clixant ptc scam.

The following statement from PTC scam clixant which I quoted from the site.
With heavy hearts we closed the site because of developments declining investor each month.

The total current investment of 32 million in 2 months (not including payment processing should be), for us the amount of investment is not qualified for the rotate into our business.

I already think carefully for 2 weeks, sorry if you think I started pessimistic.
For those who have not will receive a profit and return on investment for those who do not generate profit on your investment will be returned with the following provisions:
A. There are no strings attached
2. Total investments — Total Cashout + Bonus from Admin (Set as a token of appreciation and your hard work so far)

Standards are already a member cashout request we will also pay in stages, just take it with me .. your efforts are not wasted here ^ _ ^ /

Info refund will be announced on December 5 and start on the date of December 10, 2011.

From the beginning we did not intend to scam or something similar, we play fair so far.
The total investment of Rp. 32.434 million
Total cashout Rp. 22,785,906
Of the total current which brought us Rp. 9,648,094

Currently pending cashout Rp. 6,210,006

After our return on your investment for all who do not profit from these calculations so we do not receive any benefits
We even added that there is loss

Many thanks to member

ADMIN IDENTITY SCAM PTC CLIXANT
Clixant scam ptc admin name in accordance with the bank account used was Nugraha Bayu Wijaya. In PTC he was known by the name cescridick. Before clixant, cescridick never made a dollar PTC payment using Paypal and Alertpay. PTC is wizbux dollar, and the PTC is also a scam. The reason that the scam because Paypal is concerned subject to the limit as much to do in PTC wizbux dispute. Do not trust the local PTC Indonesia again, because it is guaranteed 101% definitely a scam in the future. There are so many causes such as the admin of the world who do not have any knowledge of TCM, it is the intention of deceiving the first. The reason they are after a SCAM too much from the hospital, suddenly disappeared. Admin does not see age, both young and even older admin taro is also a SCAM. Given the PTC is known as an online business that will end the scam, had had no opinion of the member that if the join PTC ptc try from the start up and immediately invest to upgrade and referral renting. The theory may be applied in PTC dollar payment using Paypal. Because we can do a dispute when there is a tendency in the PTC scam tersebut.Sedang in the local PTC scam like clixant investment method via local bank that means dispute can not be done. If your local PTC could in fact be 4 monthly if the member is still able to make an investment profit. The trick, of course if you had invested assets in the form of a direct referral. It would be better if it had at least 20 direct referrals for the BEP will be faster. But the current age of the local PTC can not be predicted even a month there are new and have not made a penny payments have run away with the money its members as the local PTC duniabux.

Clixant PTC Scam"
Privacy

Submission + - UK Government Backtracks on Black Box Snooping (slashdot.org)

Submitted by
judgecorp
judgecorp writes: "On the day the so-called snooper's charter was included in proposed UK legislation, as part of the Queen's Speech, it has emerged that the government is already backtracking on the controversial idea of making ISPs install black boxes to collect traffic and pass it to the authorities. The bill is not yet in a draft form, and TechWeek has learnt there is a lot of maneouvring behind the scenes,"
Yahoo!

Submission + - Why is Scott Thompson still CEO of Yahoo? (itworld.com)

Submitted by bdking
bdking writes: If Yahoo discovered that some talented developer included bogus information on his or her resume, is there any doubt that worker would be fired on the spot? Further, other employees would expect that person to be fired — even if the developer was a star — because there are lines in your professional life you can't cross. Scott Thompson crossed that line.

Submission + - 15 MIT Research Projects That Will Make You Say 'Whoa' (networkworld.com)

Submitted by alphadogg
alphadogg writes: Network World rounds up some of the coolest and potentially world/life-changing research projects underway at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass. Research topics range from futuristic wallets to small cars to sight aids.

Submission + - Judge Blasts Wells Fargo's 'Reprehensible' Actions, Awards Homeowner $3 Million (thinkprogress.org)

Submitted by WASHINGTON252
WASHINGTON252 writes: Wells Fargo’s conduct was a breach of its contractual obligations to its borrowers. More importantly, when exposed, it revealed its true corporate character by denying any obligation to correct its past transgressions and mounting a legal assault ensure it never had to. Society requires that those in business conduct themselves with honestly and fair dealing

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