Michael Liedtke

February 08, 2007 | Law.com

Apple indicated it would open its iTunes store to other portable players besides its ubiquitous iPod if major record labels abandoned the anti-piracy technology that serves as the industry's security blanket. Steve Jobs, Apple's chief executive, made the case for abolishing the protections known as "Digital Rights Management" in an open letter on the company's Web site. Supporters hailed Jobs for his attempt to remove restrictions. Critics, though, derided the message as a disingenuous publicity stunt.

By Michael Liedtke

5 minute read

August 29, 2007 | Law.com

Yahoo Inc. has asked a U.S. judge to dismiss a lawsuit attacking the Internet icon for cooperating with China's communist government, arguing the case is a meritless attempt to meddle in another country's legal affairs. The 40-page brief filed Aug. 27 in Oakland represented Yahoo's first formal response to a 4-month-old lawsuit filed on behalf of two Chinese journalists serving 10-year prison sentences for engaging in pro-democracy efforts that the country's authorities deemed subversive.

By Michael Liedtke

3 minute read

September 11, 2006 | Law.com

Battling to keep her job, Hewlett-Packard Co. Chairwoman Patricia Dunn tried Friday to defuse the uproar over a company-ordered investigation that relied on a possibly illegal ruse to obtain the phone records of her fellow directors and journalists. In an interview, Dunn described the tactics as "absolutely appalling" and "embarrassing" while defending the need for the investigation to plug a leak on HP's board. California Attorney General Bill Lockyer has concluded the HP investigation broke state law.

By Michael Liedtke

5 minute read

August 07, 2006 | Corporate Counsel

As the stock option cloud over Apple Computer Inc. darkened, spooked investors caused Apple shares to drop sharply during Friday trading before rebounding. Apple expects to miss a deadline for filing its most recent quarterly report with the SEC as it reviews possible revisions to past profits. While the company has weathered the stock option storm remarkably well so far, depending on the possible abuses, class action lawyers and prosecutors could target Apple's board or its renowned CEO, Steve Jobs.

By Michael Liedtke

5 minute read

June 28, 2007 | Law.com

Online DVD rental service Netflix Inc. has settled a patent infringement lawsuit against Blockbuster Inc., ending an attempt to thwart the rapid growth of its biggest rival. Terms of the settlement were kept confidential, which has sparked speculation that the companies had reached a "sweetheart agreement" that may stifle competition.

By Michael Liedtke

4 minute read

September 27, 2007 | Law.com

An ethics group is urging Congress to scrutinize Google Inc.'s copyright controls after finding hundreds of apparently pirated movies available on the Internet search leader's Web site. In letters sent to several lawmakers on Sept. 26, the National Legal and Policy Center excoriated Google for allowing its video-hosting service to become an online theater for showing and promoting illegally copied movies.

By Michael Liedtke

4 minute read

July 22, 2004 | Law.com

Oracle Corp. and the Justice Department summed up their respective points in Tuesday's closing arguments of a pivotal trial challenging the software maker's $7.7 billion takeover bid for rival PeopleSoft Inc. U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker's ruling could extend or end Oracle's relentless pursuit of Pleasanton, Calif.-based PeopleSoft -- a saga that began in June 2003 with a hostile bid that stunned the software industry.

By Michael Liedtke

4 minute read

March 15, 2006 | Law.com

A federal judge said Tuesday he intends to order Google to turn over some of its Internet records to the Justice Department, but expressed reservations about requiring the company to divulge some of its most sensitive data --- the actual requests that people enter into its popular search engine. The judge told the Justice Department it can expect to get at least some of the information sought from Google as part of the Bush administration's effort to revive a law meant to shield children from online porn.

By Michael Liedtke

5 minute read

September 27, 2005 | Law.com

A California judge ruled Friday that Visa USA and MasterCard International don't have to send individual warnings to thousands of consumers whose personal account information was stolen during a high-tech heist uncovered this year. The ruling represents a setback for a consumer lawsuit targeting Visa and MasterCard for a computer security breakdown that occurred at CardSystems Solutions, a payment processor for merchants. The breach had exposed up to 40 million credit and debit accounts to potential abuse.

By Michael Liedtke

3 minute read

September 27, 2005 | Law.com

A California judge ruled Friday that Visa USA and MasterCard International don't have to send individual warnings to thousands of consumers whose personal account information was stolen during a high-tech heist uncovered this year. The ruling represents a setback for a consumer lawsuit targeting Visa and MasterCard for a computer security breakdown that occurred at CardSystems Solutions, a payment processor for merchants. The breach had exposed up to 40 million credit and debit accounts to potential abuse.

By Michael Liedtke

3 minute read