Ben Charny

Internet phone service provider Skype Technologies said it plans to defend itself against explosive allegations that its technology is actually owned by another company, Streamcast Networks. Skype, owned by eBay, of San Jose, Calif., has been accused of creating a secret shell firm in order to steal away some peer-to-peer technology developed by Streamcast, then […]

(Warning: For now, both Web sites cited in this dispatch seem to be overwhelmed by all the attention.) Here’s a job for you: Saddam Hussein’s editor. The former Iraqi leader needs to punch his stuff up! Try this 2003 letter he wrote on for size: “We have said, since the great military page in the […]

Internet search engine Google said it mistakenly deleted its corporate blog on March 27, allowing an alleged vandal to take control of the site for about a half-hour. Trey Philips, who identified himself as an Austin, Texas teenager, has claimed responsibility for seizing control of the blog. Apparently by deleting its blog, Google gave up […]

Three newly unearthed patent applications attributed to Google employees offers some new tips about Google’s wireless plans. Based on all the technology described in the applications, Google could, conceivably, build a Wi-Fi standard wireless Internet network, then lease it out to other Net providers that want in on the action. Or, the applications show, Google […]

Paul Twomey heads ICANN, the Internet’s leading governor. ICANN meets this week in Wellington, New Zealand. He spoke to reporters briefly before the affair kicked off. The deadline’s approaching to renew ICANN’s deal with the U.S. Department of Commerce. Nervous? Twomey: This is just a step required by a very arcane piece of government procurement […]

There’s new Federal Election Commission rules about revealing whether an Internet ad is political in nature, and what group or individual paid for it. For more, see here. Search engines, and companies that make large political donations, will likely have to figure out a way to comply with the 96-pages of rules. But the early […]

The Federal Election Commission extended its rules about campaign ads to some Internet Web sites, it said, to ensure political committees properly finance and disclose their Internet communications. The FEC approved the new standards at its meeting March 27. The FEC now requires that candidates for federal office disclose their spending on advertising that appears […]

Denial of service attacks and a revolt over porn are two topics expected to percolate at the March 27 meeting of a major Internet ruling body, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. ICANN is a private, nonprofit company responsible for setting policy largely followed by the worlds domain distributors. Perhaps the more important […]

It appears that Internet search provider Google is fooling around with mapvertising again, and is collaborating with bookseller Barnes and Noble, apparently, on the latest chapter of tests. Internet marketer Shimon Sandler says hes noticed a new icon, in the shape of a coffee cup, on the maps accompanying results from Google Local, which is […]

Looks like Google is fooling around with mapvertising again, and has book seller Barnes & Noble in on the caper. Internet marketer Shimon Sandler says he’s noticed a new icon, in the shape of a coffee cup, showing up on results from Google Local, which is the Mountain View, Calif.-based company’s local search and mapping […]