E-Commerce Times: E-Business Means Business

Dish Network DVR Features Get Stay of Execution

Thursday - July 2, 2009

The final day of reckoning in the four-year battle between TiVo and EchoStar has been pushed out a little further. Late Wednesday evening, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit granted EchoStar's request to stay a contempt order imposed by the U.S. District Court the day before, until its appeal can be heard. The two companies have been locked in a dispute over allegations that EchoStar, through its Dish Network, infringed on TiVo's pause, rewind and live record patents. In 2006, TiVo's assertion of that claim was upheld. [More...]

OPINION
Large Tech Firms: Beware of Obama Administration's Antitrust Plans

Thursday - July 2, 2009

In a dramatic repudiation of Bush administration policies, the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Justice department withdrew its recent report setting standards for the prosecution of monopolization offenses. The report was controversial from the start. The FTC declined to join it after three of the commissioners called it a "blueprint for radically weakened enforcement" against anticompetitive practices. [More...]

ANALYSIS
8 Steps to Getting Sales and Marketing to Play Nice

Thursday - July 2, 2009

There are dozens of webinars, seminars, research reports, whitepapers, and blog postings on the topic of sales and marketing alignment. Despite the endless flow of resources and suggestions, sales and marketing alignment continues to elude many organizations. Misalignment is often a byproduct of a lack of process and a natural result of traditional marketing and sales roles. [More...]

Marketers Aim to Self-Regulate Consumer Tracking Online

Thursday - July 2, 2009

Companies that track consumer behavior online for advertising purposes are vowing to make their practices more transparent and to give people a way to decline being shadowed. It's unclear how much of an effect the new policies will have. One consumer group said the changes don't go far enough, and that extensive profiles of people still will be collected without their complete consent. [More...]

Amazon Turns Gears of Internet Tax Wars

Wednesday - July 1, 2009

More companies are joining in the fight over Internet taxation begun by Amazon.com. Blue Nile and Overstock.com have joined the Web's largest retailer in dropping affiliate programs in North Carolina and Rhode Island, according to numerous press reports. Amazon also reportedly dropped its affiliate program in Hawaii. [More...]

New Site Lets Citizens Follow the Government's IT Money Trail

Wednesday - July 1, 2009

It may not seem like most people's idea of summer reading. Then again, it is the chance to engage in some detective work with billions of dollars and terabytes of sensitive government data at stake. Better yet, you don't have to spend any money to read this latest techno-thriller. [More...]

Joost Feels the Squeeze

Wednesday - July 1, 2009

Just three years after launching in a fanfare of publicity, Joost, which provides professionally made TV on the Web, is shifting directions. It will now provide white label online video platforms to media companies and distributors. Joost is closing down its offices in the Netherlands, retaining offices in the U.S. and the UK. [More...]

EXPERT ADVICE
In Clouds We Trust?

Wednesday - July 1, 2009

When the economic crisis hit last year, much of the government response was targeted at shoring up public faith in what once had been perceived as rock solid institutions. We all are now highly aware that these foundations were not as sturdy as once believed, and as a result, many are justifiably skeptical when being asked to trust the same organizations with their now-diminished portfolios. [More...]

IT Poised for Year-End Rally

Wednesday - July 1, 2009

The free fall in the IT sector may be nearing an end, according to Forrester. While the decline is not yet over, spending should begin to improve as the year wears on, culminating in the beginning of a recovery in the fourth quarter, according to a report by Forrester Vice President and Principal Analyst Andrew Bartels. [More...]

CUPERTINO BUSINESS REPORT
Jobs Is Back, Apple's Still Standing, Life Goes On

Wednesday - July 1, 2009

After all the excitement about Steve Jobs' health, the market reaction to news that the Apple CEO had returned to work appeared muted. Apple shares closed at $142.43 at close of trading Tuesday, 46 cents up from the previous day's close. They were actually down from Monday's open of just under $144. [More...]

INSIGHTS
Evolution, Revolution and Punctuated Equilibrium

Wednesday - July 1, 2009

Kudos to all those who participated in, organized or even attended the Enterprise 2.0 conference in drizzly Boston last week. There is a lot to write about. The big ideas that I took away include disruption and evolution, ROI and a need to sharpen our focus. Here are a few thoughts on a very good show. [More...]

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