Week in review: Tech on the docket
Apple files iPhone patent suit, while RealDVD gets canned. Also: Feds look to expand Net monitoring.
The biggest news in the tech world this week could be read first on court dockets.
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Apple is suing phone maker HTC and has filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission, alleging that the Taiwanese company is infringing 20 Apple patents related to the iPhone. The patents that Apple alleges HTC is infringing are related to the iPhone's graphical user interface and the iPhone's underlying hardware and software design.
The company is asking for a permanent injunction, which would prevent HTC from importing and selling infringing devices in the United States. Apple also said it is seeking damages, but it did not specify an amount.
• Is Apple launching a patent war?
• Apple's iPad to hitstores on April 3
In a long-running case, a judge issued a permanent injunction that bars RealNetworks from selling RealDVD, the DVD-copying software that Hollywood claimed in a lawsuit violated copyright law. Real and the Motion Picture Association of America reached a settlement, according to statements issued by both companies, that called for Real to stop selling RealDVD or any similar products and to pay $4.5 million to reimburse the studios for legal fees.
More headlines
Feds weigh expansion of Internet monitoring
Homeland Security's top cybersecurity official tells CNET that the Einstein network defense system, which exchanges data with the NSA, could be extended to the private sector.• White House outlines secret cybersecurity plan
• McAfee: Source code is easy target within corporations
Symantec exhibit makes cybercrime tangible
In a highly visual, hands-on display at RSA, the security firm shows tools and methods used for cybercrime and identity fraud.• Study: Medical identity theft is costly for victims
• Spain arrests three accused of running huge botnet
• Four men charged in computerized online ticket scam
• Microsoft warns of zero-day hole for older Windows
Why the social-media aggregator has croaked
The recent demise of Streamy reinforces that there's just no more room for a start-up that wants to get all your social-networking feeds in one place. Facebook's snuffed that market out.• Facebook's $1B revenues: Now keep it up
Apple trying to store your video in the cloud
The iPad maker is talking with major film studios about a streaming-media service that you could access from its tablet and other Net-connected devices.• Fortune: Apple is world's most admired company
• Apple removes Wi-Fi finders from App Store
• Report: iPad suppliers deny any delays
Google mulls blend of education, search
It's easy to find millions of data points using search services like Google. It's harder to turn that data into knowledge and ideas without educational guidance.• Google acquiring Web-based photo editor Picnik
• Google tries again in search personalization
Microsoft's Ballmer talks Bing, Twitter
Steve Ballmer needs a new project now that he's wrapped up the Yahoo search deal, but says he's not sure that buying Twitter is the best way to scratch that itch.• Live blog: Ballmer on the cloud
Bartz holds court on Yahoo's 15th birthday
As the elder statesman of the Internet, Yahoo has seen a lot over the past 15 years. Amid talk that rivals have passed it by, CEO Carol Bartz is adamant that Yahoo's day will come again.Study lauds IE for blocking Web's social attacks
The study, funded by Microsoft, concludes that Microsoft's browser bests competitors in blocking socially engineered malware attacks.• EU gives obscure browsers a big chance
• Mozilla issues new Firefox test release
Roger Ebert using software to find his lost voice
After losing his voice following surgery, the film critic is using a new kind of text-to-speech software to communicate in a voice that sounds just like his.• How Roger Ebert found his new voice (Q&A)
Also of note
• Take 2 on our comments system
• Heartless Web scam leaves brides at the altar
• Google launches person finder after Chile quake