Roy Mark

Initial testing by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has resulted in a thumbs down for prototype devices designed to exploit the empty spectrum between television channels. Technology companies such as Microsoft and Google hope to use these interference buffer zones, known as “white spaces,” to develop both licensed and unlicensed wireless devices and services. Licensed […]

Beleaguered Vonage Holdings said today it has completed workarounds of the Verizon patents that are a key part of a $58 million infringement award against the struggling Internet telephone provider. The Verizon patents fall into two key VoIP areas: WiFi and name translation. The Verizon Wi-Fi patent covers wireless VoIP-enabled devices while the name translation […]

A San Diego judge overturned Monday a record-breaking $1.52 billion patent-infringement judgment against Microsoft. The decision reverses a jury determination that Microsoft infringed on Alcatel-Lucent’s MP3 patents. U.S. District Court Judge Rudi M. Brewster ruled that, of the two patents in question, Microsoft properly obtained a license to use the technology covered by one patent […]

San Diego chipmaker Qualcomm took a one-two, patent-infringement punch Monday from both the Bush administration and a federal court. The first blow came when the White House refused to veto a U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) order banning the import of Qualcomm future 3G mobile broadband handset models and cell phones. Later in the day, […]

Although Congress approved expanding warrantless surveillance of Americans over the weekend, lawmakers are expected to again take up the controversial issue after their annual August recess. The Protect America Act revises the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to allow U.S. intelligence agencies – without a court order — to wiretap telephone conversations and intercept e-mail […]

Congress has approved legislation dedicated to improving America’s ability to compete in a global economy. The America Competes Act would potentially dedicate more than $40 billion to federal research, development funding and math and science education. The U.S. House approved the measure on a 367-57 vote Thursday afternoon while the Senate endorsed the legislation on […]

Three U.S. physicians and two pharmacists were named Thursday in a 313-count federal indictment for the illegal online sale of prescription drugs. According to the Department of Justice (DoJ), the operation handled more than 1 million online orders and grossed approximately $126 million over a two-year period. In addition to the doctors and the pharmacists, […]

Dell  agreed today to acquire ASAP Software for approximately $340 million, the No. 2 computer maker’s second acquisition in the last month. The Buffalo Grove, Ill.-based ASAP, a subsidiary of Dutch-based office supplies distributor Corporate Express, provides IT products and services to corporations and government agencies. ASAP’s License Technologies Group specializes in licensing and e-commerce […]

States would be unable to prevent local municipalities from offering broadband to its residents under legislation introduced Wednesday in the U.S. House. The bill would also prohibit the cities from discriminating against private broadband carriers. The Community Broadband Act of 2007 would override laws already passed by 14 states barring municipalities from competing against private […]

Rules are rules, but who will the players be? The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) this week announced the rules for the landmark 700 MHz spectrum, but the presumed bidders for the airwaves are still sitting on the fence. Incumbent carriers AT&T and Verizon, the frontrunners in the handicapping, and Google, the speculative, well-heeled outsider that […]

UPDATED: WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) backed the concept of open access networks today in approving rules for the upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction. The auction rules closely follow a draft proposal issued by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin earlier this month. After months of deliberations, the FCC decided to dedicate almost a third […]

With some of the most valuable airwaves ever put up for sale in the United States at stake, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is scheduled to issue the rules today for a January spectrum auction that could change the American wireless landscape. Once considered a foregone, slam-dunk win for incumbent wireless carriers such as AT&T […]