IN THE PAPERS
In the papers 22 April
22-04-2008
by Sylvia Leatham
Garda get extended data request powers | Google is world's top brand
The Irish Times reports that Eircom has rejected claims by four major record companies that it must bear some liability for the illegal free downloading of music by computer users. The companies have claimed Eircom's networks are being used "on a grand scale" for illegal downloading. Justice Peter Kelly said he expected to fix a July date for the hearing of the action brought by the record companies against Eircom. The action is the first in Ireland aimed at internet service providers rather than individual downloaders.
The paper also says that the Government has broadened the range of criminal investigations for which the Garda are able to request e-mail and internet data retained by internet service providers. In the latest draft of the statutory instrument implementing European directives on data retention, "serious offences" would be defined as "any offence for which a person... could receive a maximum custodial sentence of six months". Offences that could now be deemed "serious" include public order offences or minor assault.
The paper also reports that broadband firm Magnet Business has purchased internet phone provider Glantel, as reported by ENN on Monday.
The same paper says that Enniscorthy-based medical devices group Clearstream Technologies has reported a trading loss of EUR1.4 million for the six months to the end of January. In a statement, the company blamed a sharp fall-off in co-labelling sales for part of the loss, as revenues from this sector fell to just EUR400,000, compared to EUR2.3 million over the previous six-month period.
The paper also says that National Broadband Ltd (NBL), a company that provides satellite broadband services, is challenging the Minister for Communications' apparent exclusion of broadband satellite firms from tendering under a scheme to provide State aid to companies to extend broadband services to remote areas. NBL is challenging the Minister's decision of 14 January which, NBL claims, excludes satellite broadband providers from tendering under the National Broadband Scheme and exhibits an "anti-satellite bias". Justice Peter Kelly has fixed 10 June for the hearing of the application by the Dublin-based firm.
The Irish Independent says that Eircom's director of corporate strategy and regulation is being sued in Australia by a former business associate who is seeking one-third of his gross income from now until he is 65. Peter O'Connell, a 55-year-old Babcock & Brown employee who was appointed to the Eircom board last year, is fighting the legal action being taken by Rodney Adler, who claims he loaned O'Connell AUD600,000 (EUR355,000) in 1994 to establish telecoms consultancy firm Hargrave Consultants. Adler alleges that in lieu of interest it was agreed that he would be entitled to one-third of O'Connell's future income, a claim the Eircom director strenuously denies. O'Connell has already repaid the loan.
The Irish Examiner reports that Google has topped a list of the world's most powerful brands for the second year running. The BrandZ Top 100 list placed Google ahead of General Electric and Microsoft. Other tech firms that made the top 10 were China Mobile, IBM, Apple and Nokia.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Samsung Group chairman Lee Kun-hee has said he will resign in the wake of an indictment over tax violations. The umbrella office that oversees the 59 Samsung companies will also dissolve and the vice chairman, who has held day-to-day responsibility for the group, Lee Hak-soo, will resign.
The Financial Times says that LogicaCMG is to shed 3 percent of its workforce and accelerate the migration of work overseas as part of a restructuring programme promised by new chief executive Andy Green in February. Some 1,300 people will lose their jobs, including 500 in the UK. The number of "offshore and nearshore" jobs will more than double to 8,000 by 2010 under the new plans.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 