IN THE PAPERS
In the papers 1 August
01-08-2007
by Sylvia Leatham
Ireland to get Israeli robot spy planes | US trade group calls for more relaxed content warnings
The Irish Times reports that software company Norkom is to purchase US firm Digital Harbor in an all-cash deal that could be worth up to USD36.5 million. Read the full story on ENN.
The paper also says that Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan has announced the approval of EUR2.75 million in funding for community-based CCTV schemes across the country. The funding is part of a nationwide programme to install the systems in towns, cities and suburbs. The latest round of capital grant funding has been approved for 16 local groups in 12 areas. The money will be used by the groups to install and run new systems in co-operation with the Garda and local authorities.
The Irish Independent reports that two Israeli-made robot spy planes are to be used by the Irish Defence Forces for surveillance missions. Israel is seen as a key player in the sector as it uses Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) extensively for surveillance and targeted assassination of militants. The Department of Defence confirmed on Tuesday that a contract was signed in May with Aeronautics Defence Systems Ltd of Israel for two of its Orbiter systems, in a contract worth EUR780,000.
According to the Financial Times, a peace agreement set to be announced within days between two warring Russian mobile telecoms investors may clear the way for a string of deals that could transform the market and potentially see foreign companies take control of two of the three biggest operators. Ipoc, a Bermuda-based investment fund, is expected to announce it is dropping claims against Altimo, the telecoms arm of the Alfa Group conglomerate, over a 25.1 percent stake in the MegaFon Russian mobile group. Both companies declined to comment on Tuesday, but people familiar with the negotiations said the last of multiple signatures were being put to the peace deal.
The Wall Street Journal says that a trade group representing Google, Microsoft and other tech heavyweights claims that several content companies are overstepping bounds with their copyright warnings. The Computer and Communications Industry Association plans to file a complaint with the US Federal Trade Commission, alleging that several content companies, ranging from sports leagues to movie studios to book publishers, are overstepping bounds with their warnings. The group wants the FTC to investigate and order copyright holders to stop wording warnings in what it sees as a misrepresentative way. CCIA president Ed Black said the warnings dissuade consumers from using portions of content in ways that are lawful.
The paper also says that social-networking firm Facebook has pulled a service called Facebook Audio from its website because the service violated copyright rules. Facebook Audio allowed Facebook users to play full-length songs within its pages. Facebook Audio was developed by entrepreneur Numair Faraz using technology Facebook makes available to third parties who want to build services accessible within the Facebook website.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 