News about what is happening in technology today!

Congress is leaving a special gift under the tree for Hollywood’s film industry. Just before closing for the holidays, legislators introduced a new proposal designed to curb redistribution of movies.The Digital Transition Content Security Act would embed anticopying technology into the next generation of digital video products. If it makes its way from Capitol Hill to the Oval Office and becomes law, the measure will outlaw the manufacture or sale of electronic devices that convert analog video signals into digital video signals, effective one year from its enactment. PC-based tuners and digital video recorders are listed among the devices.

CNET News reports A Santa Claus worm is attempting to trick America Online, Microsoft MSN and Yahoo instant-messaging users into clicking on a file that delivers unwanted software to a victim’s computer. The IM.GiftCom.All worm attempts to dupe IM users into thinking an acquaintance has sent them a link to a harmless Santa Claus file. IM security vendor ELMTree Software has released a patch to their ChatPatrol (www.chatpatrol.com) product to address this issue.

News.com is reporting that the Texas attorney general is expanding the allegations against Sony. It seems the software would install even if users declined the EULA. From the article: ‘The Texas attorney general said on Wednesday that he added a new claim to a lawsuit charging Sony BMG Music Entertainment with violating the state’s laws on deceptive trade practices by hiding ’spyware’ on its compact discs … The new charges brought by Abbott contend that MediaMax software used by Sony BMG to thwart illegal copying of music on CDs violated state laws because it was downloaded even if users rejected a license agreement.’

AnandTech’s Josh Venning takes a first look at ATI’s brand new All-In-Wonder 2006 PCIe video card. Due to hit retail stores sometime this week, the A-I-W 2006 is based on the X1300 series of cards, making it aimed at more budget-based users. AnandTech also compared the A-I-W 2006 to the X1300 Pro to get an idea of where this version of the X1300 line of cards stands.

You just know the Crack-berry addicted patent clerk that gave RIM respite was all like “They’ll pry my always-on email out of my cold, dead hands.” The USPTO sent a letter to NTP essentially contesting their patents and stating that they will probably overturn them next year.

“It was a resounding rejection of NTP’s position,” James Balsillie, Research In Motion’s chairman and co-chief executive, said by telephone. “The jig is up. I think the world is now starting to realize what is happening.”

I’m all for the security and recouping of R&D costs patent law affords, but patent trolls like NTP make it hard on everyone. If anything, RIM should be hounding everyone else in the world about email on the go patents, but they’re not. They’re being good techie citizens, at least until they go bankrupt due to extensive competition and become a lawsuit spewing pustule. Ah… the circle of life.

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