OSDL sets up open source patent repository

The Open Source Development Labs (OSDL) is creating a central repository of patents to benefit the open source software community, reports Information Week.

The report says although there was no mention of Microsoft in the OSDL announcement, the open source software community has been bracing for conflict with software producer, which has amassed thousands of patents and patent applications in recent months.

The OSDL says by contributing patents to the patent commons project, patent holders can be assured that the right to enforce the patents is administered by an organisation dedicated to accelerating the development and use of open-source software.

The US Army has completed a limited pilot study on a wireless sensor system that could be used to automate the process of repairing and maintaining vehicles in the field.

According to News.Com, all engines on tactical vehicles already have sensors that track their location and record such data as fuel and tyre-pressure levels, but the new system enables the existing sensors to report findings automatically, wirelessly and in real time to off-site support crews.

In the next phases of the project, the US Army plans to pilot the technology on a full brigade of vehicles and investigate possible security and bandwidth limitations.

Google users will be able to have targeted news content delivered directly to them once the service`s news article search is enhanced by adding content syndication, says PC World.

The new feature will allow Google News users to set up RSS (Really Simple Syndication) for specific Google News sections and for specific terms.

According to Google, the addition of RSS is the single most requested feature by Google News users, but will be available only in English.

Following last year`s move to Linux, PalmSource has announced a partnership with mobile Linux provider MontaVista Software.

PC World says the two companies plan to promote the development of Linux-based operating systems and applications for Linux-based mobile phones.

In terms of the agreement, PalmSource will join MontaVista`s Open Framework partner programme and MontaVista in turn will join PalmSource`s Palm Powered Mobile World programme.

Vivendi Universal Games has signed an exclusive deal to produce games based on Robert Ludlum`s bestselling spy novels, reports Red Herring.

The long-term contract gives Vivendi the right to develop, publish, and distribute games based on the Ludlum novels and film adaptations, which have included The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy.