IN THE PAPERS
In The Papers 20 December
20-12-2010
by Sylvia Leatham
Concerns raised over online betting tax | Gov calls for EU-wide patent system
The Irish Times reports that proposals to apply betting tax to online operators could force bookmakers to move offshore and cost jobs if they are not applied across the board, according to a number of commercial lawyers. Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan announced in the Budget that the Government intended to extend the existing 1 percent levy on betting turnover in bookie shops to online operators. Joe Kelly and Paul Fahy, partners at Dublin solicitors firm AL Goodbody, have warned that the proposal could force Irish-based companies to move their online businesses offshore if it was not applied across the board, as they could be left at a competitive disadvantage.
The Irish Examiner reports that Gardai believe a gang is using websites specialising in second-hand goods and vehicles to sell off stolen cars to unsuspecting buyers. A Roscommon man was arrested in Cork on Friday on suspicion of selling a stolen two-year-old Ford Mondeo on a popular site and of obtaining EUR7,000 through deception. Gardai believe an Irish gang is behind the theft of cars, which they try and sell on through internet sites. "People should be very careful about buying cars through the internet from people they don’t know. They should always get the car thoroughly checked out to see it is legitimate before parting with any cash," a Garda spokesman said.
The same paper says that the Government has called for the introduction of a single EU-wide patenting system, which it claims could save Irish firms around EUR6 million per year. Europe currently has a fragmented patent system in place. A European patent, designated in 13 countries, is about 10 times more expensive than a US patent. The main reason for the high cost is the need to translate the patent into the national language of each country in which validation is sought. These translation costs alone cost Irish industry EUR6 million a year. The Government has written to the European Commission, urging it to adopt a single EU-wide patent for member states.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Google is asking some television makers to delay announcing hardware based on Google software, according to sources. The move comes after initial Google TV devices, offered by Sony and Logitech International, brought negative reviews. Some content providers have also blocked their offerings from Google TV. Other companies were expected to use the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January to show off new Google TV products. Samsung Electronics still plans to do so, but some others, including Toshiba, will not.
The paper also says that TV commercials targeted at individual homes are on the horizon in the US. DirecTV Group is planning the biggest rollout yet of "addressable ads", allowing advertisers to reach close to 10 million homes with commercials tailored to each household. Dog owners, for instance, could see ads for dog food. In the DirecTV set-up, an advertiser would specify the kinds of homes it is interested in. DirecTV will tap third-party data providers to find households in its subscriber base that fit that profile.
The Sunday Times reports that Kerry financial services group Fexco Merchant Services has sealed a deal that will allow shoppers at Dubai Duty Free to pay for goods in their own currency. The deal is a landmark contract for the company in the global expansion of its dynamic currency conversion (DCC) business.
The paper also notes that News Corp is expected to win clearance from the EU this week for its STG8 billion buyout of satellite broadcaster BSkyB. News Corp will hear from Brussels on Wednesday whether its proposed deal has raised competition concerns and faces a further inquiry.
The paper also notes that a civil servant from the Department of Social Protection has been suspended over suspicions that he sold a private investigator confidential information about hundreds of welfare claimants. Over the past two weeks the Data Protection Commissioner has raided the private investigator's office and the premises of three insurance companies that employed the the detective. Gardai and the DPC were called in to investigate the case by the department, which has one of the largest databases in the country.
The paper also says that watching TV, using computers and playing videogames have no effect on literacy scores, according to research from the ESRI. Children who use computers for more than an hour a day were shown to have higher maths scores. The study did find a negative link between reading levels and membership of clubs such as sporting associations.
The same paper reports that the UK government is to combat the early sexualisation of children by blocking internet pornography unless parents request it. The biggest broadband providers are being called to a meeting next month by the UK communications minister and will be asked to change how pornography gets into homes. Instead of using parental controls to stop access to porn, the 'tap' will be turned off at source. Adults will then have to 'opt in' if they wish.
The Sunday Business Post reports that up to five bidders are interested in acquiring Dublin software firm Norkom, and the sale process is likely to go to an auction. The firm is understood to have attracted interest from trade buyers in the US, as well as private capital. Israeli firm Nice Systems is also in the running, and there is speculation that Norkom founder Paul Kerley may seek backing for a management buyout.
The paper also says that AMT-Sybex, an IT firm backed by Pearse Mee, paid EUR2.6 million in dividends to shareholders last year. Shareholders have garnered almost EUR31 million in dividends over five years.
The same paper reports that Irish telecoms software firm Asavie has won a major deal with Spanish operator Telefonica. CEO Ralph Shaw believes the deal will deliver a multi-million-euro revenue stream to the company. Asavie will be selling two mobile connectivity services to Telefonica.
The Sunday Independent reports that broadband provider Imagine has upgraded the capacity of its network while offering services at 50 percent cheaper than Eircom. The company has expanded its WiMax network across Dublin and has revealed that 4,500 new customers are subscribing every month across Ireland.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 