As a result of Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson's conclusion that Microsoft is a monopoly, lawyers across the United States have begun filing class-action lawsuits, alleging the software giant used its control of the market to overcharge customers. In New Orleans, an attorney filed suit seeking to represent millions of Windows 98 owners, alleging that Microsoft used intimidation to reduce consumers' choices and force them to pay higher prices. And earlier this month, an advertising company in New York City filed a similar suit that seeks class-action status to represent thousands of New York state customers. Lawsuits have also been filed in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and California.
VISION THING: The Irish Internet Association has awarded its inaugural IIA Net Visionary Award to Liam Ferrie, founder of Irish Emigrant Publications. The award recognises the contribution he has made to the development and promotion of the Internet industry in Ireland.
EZ DOES IT: Trintech has announced an agreement with MasterCard which will facilitate the marketing, distribution and implementation of the former's Internet-based consumer payment technology to the 23,000 MasterCard member financial institutions. Trintech developed a "virtual credit card", the ezCard, in June.
SURF SAFELY: In an effort to ensure children's online safety, Barnardos and eircom net have launched a Family Guide to the Internet, available free nationwide. The material is available from 1800 203 204 or through Barnardos offices and shops nationwide.
PIONEERING DVD RECORDERS: Pioneer is to launch recordable DVD players and discs in Europe next year. The new machines allow recordings of up to six hours and will debut in Japan this week.
SETTING STANDARDS: The EU has established standards for electronic signatures to be enforced by member states. Telecom groups have welcomed the move which will recognise electronic signatures as legally valid.
VIRTUAL COLLATERAL: A South Korean bank is offering mortgages on Internet domain names. The Industrial Bank of Korea is to offer loans with domain names as collateral.
EL CID: A Citizens Information Database (CID) developed by the National Social Service Board is now in use in a range of information providers throughout the country, including the network of 85 Citizens Information Centres. The CID provides information on civil and social rights and entitlements in Ireland and can be accessed at www.cidb.ie.
TAXING BIZNESS: eircom has launched a free interactive online tax return service, TaxBiz, for small self-employed businesses at www.eircom.net. TaxBiz assists small businesses to comply with their January 31st, 2000 deadline obligations for the Income Tax self-assessment and provides expert advice and suggestions.
FACTOR-E WORKERS: factor-e, the Internet banking technology division of Dublin based enba, is to expand operations with the recruitment of an additional 50 software engineers.
IN BRIEF...Oracle and Siemens have announced a joint development agreement to create an integrated, Internet standards-based meta-directory product. . . MicroWarehouse has been appointed as the distributor for Canon Ireland's products. . . ICAN has been appointed by Yahoo! UK and Ireland as its advertising sales agency throughout Ireland. . .
