Computing company Hewlett Packard, chipmaker Intel, and Web firm Yahoo have announced the creation of a consortium effort to provide a global, multi data center, open source test bed for open collaboration amongst academia, the tech industry, and governments in Asia, Europe, and the United States with regard to the advancement of cloud computing research and education. By removing the financial and logistical barriers associated with research in cloud computing, the consortium is pushing for the advancement of making Internet connected hardware and software once delivered as discreet products available as Web based, utility like services. The initiative provides a testing environment designed to encourage research on the software, data center management and hardware issues associated with cloud computing on a large scale. The initiative will also support research of cloud applications and services available for personal computers and cell phones.
As if $1 billion copyright infringement lawsuit by U.S. entertainment group Viacom isn’t enough, now Google and its You Tube unit face a similar lawsuit filed by Italian broadcaster Mediaset for illegal use of its content and the broadcaster is seeking $779.3 million in damages. Mediaset said a sample analysis of You Tube on June 10 found at least 4,643 videos and clips in violation, equivalent to more than 325 hours of transmission without Mediaset consent. Meanwhile, YouTube maintains it respects copyright holders and takes copyright issues very seriously.
5:49 pm on July 30, 2008 (utc 0)