Roy Mark

A federal district judge has permanently barred two Chicago area residents from participating in Internet auctions. The injunction sought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) follows the indictments of James D. Thompson and Susan B. Germek for mail fraud in which the two are accused of using stolen identities to sell nonexistent goods and making […]

The Justice Department (DOJ) is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to not “minimize” the importance of law enforcement officials to wiretap Voice over IP (VoIP) phone calls. The DOJ’s joint comments with the FBI come a month after the FCC began landmark proceedings to determine what, if any, taxes and regulations should apply to […]

Motorola signed a licensing deal Thursday with Wheels of Zeus, the new startup of Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak that is developing a wireless platform to serve as the foundation for a range of location, status, control, and communications services. Motorola’s Broadband Communications Sector plans to use the technology as part of its strategy to deliver […]

EarthLink spokesman Jerry Grasso says consumers want two things from an Internet service provider: secure connections and tools to that cut through the clutter. As the nation’s largest consumer ISPs — America Online, the Microsoft Network (MSN) and EarthLink — scramble to grab new customers, reduce churn and differentiate their offerings in an increasingly similar […]

Internet service provider EarthLink plans to eliminate approximately 1,300 call center jobs by shuttering operations in Pennsylvania and California and outsourcing the positions. The Atlanta-based company said customer support functions will be routed to its remaining Atlanta staff and to outsourced contract providers in India, the Philippines and Jamaica. “About 70 percent of our calls […]

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Monday fined online fax broadcaster Fax.com $5.4 million for a “massive on-going violation” of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). It is the largest single fine ever imposed by the Commission for a violation of the TCPA. Rejecting the Aliso Viejo, Calif.-based company’s defense that the TCPA’s junk fax ban […]

A new study says online music file-swapping has dropped by half over the last six months, indicating the music industry’s legal battle to pursue the identity of file-swappers and sue them appears to be paying off. The nationwide survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project shows the percentage of music file downloaders fell […]

Access and identity management firm Netegrity has bought Business Layers in a cash and stock deal worth approximately $42.5 million. Israel-based Business Layers provides open, standards-based software automating point of entry to networks and a single point of administration for Web-based services. Under the deal’s terms, Business Layers receives $15 million in cash and $27.5 […]

Richard Bravman, the CEO of wireless bar-code scanner maker Symbol Technologies , has resigned in a bid to help the company put a federal accounting probe over alleged “channel stuffing” behind it. In a statement, Bravman said he voluntarily relinquished his roles as CEO and board member in an effort to “facilitate a favorable conclusion […]

The U.S. Depart. Of Justice (DOJ) Tuesday closed its antitrust investigation of Pressplay and MusicNet, two joint ventures formed by the major record labels to distribute music over the Internet, concluding there is no threat of harm to consumers. “The Division’s substantial investigation of Pressplay and MusicNet has uncovered no evidence that the major record […]

DSL high-speed connections to homes and businesses slightly outpaced cable broadband connections over the 12-month period ending June 30, according to the latest data released by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Growth in both high-speed Internet options, however, cooled during the first half of this year. High-speed connections in service over asymmetric digital subscriber line […]

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is suing China-based Semiconductor Manufacturing International (SMIC), accusing the company of conducting industrial espionage in order to steal trade secrets and infringe on its patents. TSMC, which is called the world’s largest contract chip maker, said it is seeking both a permanent injunction and unspecified monetary damages from the Shanghai-based […]