Topic: News

A new European Union directive actually goes further than it's U.S. counterpart, in that it makes indirect copyright infringement a crime. The proposal would also set the maximum criminal penalty for piracy by a "criminal organization" to four years in prison and a 300,000-euro fine. Additionally, it seeks to address disparities in anti-piracy criminal penalties across Europe by obliging different EU member countries to draft uniform maximum prison sentences into their sentencing guidelines.

Leading manufacturers of optical discs in Taiwan are leaning ever so slightly toward support of HD DVD, as opposed to Blu-ray Disc, as the standard for next-generation DVD format. This is because makers will incur much lower costs if they adopt their production equipment to the HD DVD platform, according to local industry experts.

A married couple arrested for music, film and game piracy have received jail terms of between six and 21 months.

Press Release: Sonic Solutions announced a powerful new addition to its industry-leading line of AuthorScript download and burn solutions for the growing online music and audio content market.

Scotland'S biggest pirate DVD and CD racket was sunk in a series of co-ordinated raids yesterday. Computer gear capable of churning out millions of pounds worth of counterfeit discs was seized.

According to a study, broadband internet surfers in North America watch two fewer hours of television per week than do those without Internet access, while those using a dial-up connection watch 1.5 fewer hours of TV.

Going through the specs of the new Windows operating system - Vista - it looks probable you will not only need a new PC will need to upgrade your monitor too. According to a US tech consultant Stephen Speicher, Vista will make protected digital content all fuzzy unless it is viewed on high bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) compatible monitor.

Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) Programme has been cracked only days after the software giant activated the antipiracy scheme. Since the service went live on Monday the 25th of July, Windows users wishing to receive software updates from the Microsoft Download Centre or from Windows Update were obliged to join the WGA authentication program.

HD DVD supporters last week alleged Blu-ray Disc's chosen copy-protection scheme could introduce "playability and reliability issues for consumers".

Optical disc maker CMC Magnetics has decided to cease producing DVD recorder through its subsidiary Actima Technology due to an inability to compete in the market, according to CMC vice president and spokeswoman Andria Wong.

The digital cinema revolution has moved a step closer after Hollywood studios reached a landmark deal that will consign reels of film to history.

Nero announced the release of NeroLINUX 2.0.0.2. This upgraded version of Nero's Linux OS solution for CD/DVD Burning features Layer-Jump Recording (LJR), DVD-Video and miniDVD mastering, user interface improvements like selectable ISO track recording options and assignable sounds that alert the user to the burn process results.

Anyone downloading updates for Windows XP will be required to check that their operating system is genuine. Security updates are exempt from this in order to prevent people spreading viruses across the internet.

BenQ has received OEM orders for Super Multi DVD from TEAC, with shipments to begin this quarter, according to market sources.

Microsoft have said that it would launch its new Xbox 360 game console in Japan and Europe in time for the year-end holiday shopping season.

Dutch Anti piracy organisation BREIN has won its battle to prevent distributor Teledirekt distributing the controversial DVD X Copy family of utilities in the Netherlands.

Microsoft said the next version of its operating system used on most personal computers around the world will be called "Windows Vista."

Team Ninja chief Tomonobu Itagaki has expressed concerns over the lack of storage space on the Xbox 360's DVD media.

Mobile phones are to be temporarily confiscated during performances at this year's Edinburgh Film Festival in a crackdown on movie piracy.

Aleratec have won PC Magazine's Editors Choice award for their DVD/CD Disc Repair Plus - a complete disc repair kit including a motorized system with buffing, cleaning and repair wheels, and specialized liquid solutions for the disc restoration processes.