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Pro-copyright judges to hear Pirate Bay court appeal
Sweden’s Supreme Court has ruled that two of the judges scheduled to hear an appeal in the Pirate Bay case are unbiased. They had been accused of bias because of their involvement in pro-copyright organizations. The Supreme Court’s ruling means they will be able to hear the Pirate Bay’s appeal in a copyright case pitting it against record labels, film studios and other entertainment companies. The appeal hearing is scheduled for the end of September. The Pirate Bay’s four founders were found guilty of being accessories to crimes against copyright. If they fail in their appeal, they face a year in prison and must pay damages of almost 4 million dollars.
Microsoft Office 2010 launches for business
Microsoft Office 2010 will go on sale to businesses today, although consumers will have to wait until the end of June to buy their copy. The new version is about more than just new features and improved functions: Microsoft is also giving users an online version of its software that will compete with the likes of Google Docs. Microsoft’s Office Web Apps are lightweight versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote that allow users to view, edit and share documents online. That means you don’t need the productivity suite installed on a PC to access documents, you simply need an internet connection and a web browser.
Mozilla keeps users up to date
Mozilla has expanded a service that checks if a browser’s plugins are current. It now scans Internet Explorer, Safari Opera and Chrome in addition to Firefox. Plugins are small bits of code that enable a Web browser to run other applications such as Adobe’s Flash player. Outdated plugins are a danger for Internet users, as they can contain software vulnerabilities that can be used to gain remote control over someone’s PC. Firefox gained the ability to scan its own plugins for outdated versions last year. Only a few plugins are covered by the scanning service for now, but Mozilla hopes to recruit other plugin developers to the program.
It’s not just plugin developers that Mozilla needs to recruit: it must also find a new CEO. After two years at the head of the company, John Lilly is quitting to become a partner in a venture capital fund. He will leave as soon Mozilla can find a replacement. Before becoming CEO of the browser maker, Lily was its chief operating officer.
