Should Microsoft be liable for bugs?
When defects are found in one of the world`s most popular products, leaving workers around the globe idle and causing huge losses, this would ordinarily be a class-action lawyer`s dream. But, reports Seattle PI, if the product in question is software, the makers can claim special protection from liability through their licensing deals.
The site reports that Microsoft and other vendors are "coming under increased scrutiny amid a rising tide of computer viruses, many of which exploit known flaws in popular Microsoft programs".
"It`s crazy that Firestone can produce [a tyre] with a systemic flaw and [be] liable, whereas Microsoft produces an operating system with two systemic flaws per week and [it is] not liable," Bruce Schneier, CTO at Counterpane Internet Security, is quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, TechWeb reports that the number of Web sites using Windows Server 2003 have doubled since July.
In other Microsoft news, CRN.com reports that Office 2003 has gone live for volume licensing customers, and the software maker submitted Windows Media Series 9 to a standards body. The latter move surprised industry analysts, and could help Microsoft reverse its lacklustre performance in the multimedia market, reports Internetweek.
Sun licensing to ease upgrades
Sun will this week announce a new strategy for licensing its software to companies, in an approach aimed at simplifying sales, maintenance and upgrades, reports the New York Times.
At a customer conference, the company will take the wraps off its Orion project, which significantly simplifies and lowers the price of acquiring software.
AT&T to sell MS/Moto phone
Motorola and Microsoft are planning to announce an alliance today, under which Microsoft will power a series of new Motorola smart phones and wireless devices, reports Yahoo News. The products start with the Motorola MPx200 phone, due to make its American debut in Q4 and will be carried by AT&T Wireless Services.
Half-full or half-empty?
A US state jury has determined that Hewlett-Packard did not try to fool consumers into believing ink cartridges packed with its printers were full, reports eWeek.
Similar class-action lawsuits have been filed in 34 states. In the first to go to trial, jurors on Thursday rejected the lawsuit brought by a consumer who claimed the company cheated customers by selling half-filled inkjet cartridges.
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