In a move that appears specifically targeted at Lexmark and their chip-enabled anti-refill technology, the North Carolina Senate has approved a law that would allow everyone in the state to refill any printer cartridge, regardless of any agreement to the contrary in the purchase agreement. An article from the Herald …

It's not the whole case, but CNet reports that Microsoft has lost an important ruling in the case brought against it by small software and technology company InterTrust Technologies. The case involves the use of Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology and patents currently held by InterTrust. The company has a …

According to an article from Wired, a Pentagon program that provides online voting in general elections will be increased from the pilot levels in 2000 of 86 users to over 100,000 voters in 2004. The plan is to allow serving troops and ex-patriots to vote using a "secure" system …

The US Senate has likely dealt a death blow to the TIA (Total Information Awareness, ahem, Terrorist Information Awareness) program sponsored by former Iran-Contra figure John Poindexter, according to an article on Wired. The Senate has inserted language into the 2004 pending defense appropriations bill explicitly restricting funds from being …

A group of agricultural scientists from leading institutions in that field are banding together to form PIPRA (the Public-Sector Intellectual Property Rights Association, no web site yet), according to an article authored by the group in Science (subscription required). The issue spurring on this move is the change in agricultural …

A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Washington state law prohibiting the sale of violent video games, according to an article from CNet. The law, set to go into effect later this month, is one of the few laws to set a new standard for what is considered to be …

Due to "security concerns" the FSB has requested that the Communications Ministry demand that all cellular telephone encryption be deactivated for 24-hours, according an article in The Moscow Times. Thankfully, the phones (GSM mostly) will display icons that indicate the encryption is disabled and many customers will receive SMS messages …

With all of the disruption over copying music online, maybe the record industry should read this article from BBC News, based on information provided by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. The organization claims that over one billion counterfeit CDs will be sold worldwide this year. Now, our friends …

In a fine example of what is wrong with the kinds of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt) created by the post-9/11 USA Patriot Act, the Washington Post has an article about some of the indecencies and inconveniences caused to Muslim-Americans. The article discusses the uproar about Monster removing all …

Thanks to a pointer from SlashDot, I found my way to an article from GTW Associates (a firm that consults on international standards and trade policy) about a relatively obscure, but potentially important decision by the Supreme Court not to hear the appeal in a copyright case. The case deals …

The Washington Post is reporting that a student from GMU (George Mason University) is in a bit of a bind. His previously "tedious and unimportant" (his professor's words) PhD dissertation is now a very hot commodity in security circles and may be classified by the US Government if he isn't …

An article from CNet relays information about a ruling by the Eastern District Court of Virginia that recently ruled that pop-over advertisements by Gator are legal. The summary judgment was handed down last week, but a complete ruling is expected in the upcoming weeks. The plaintiff in this case was …

According to an article from The Age (Australian newspaper), a Swiss school teacher decided to quit being a teacher rather than follow the edict of the school and take down nude photos on her personal web site. It appears that the woman is an aspiring model and was hoping that …

An article from CNET, written by security expert Kevin Hanrahan, suggests that instead of throwing out private information to enhance privacy, yet more information should be retained. In particular, he suggests retaining information about access to you information. The idea isn't new, it is required by the recently-effective Health Insurance …

An article from the San Francisco Chronicle (originally from the Associated Press) indicates that security experts and law enforcement officials are worried about a coordinated web defacement campaign set for July 6. The symptoms so far include a web site (since taken down by the web service provider) and a …

Privacy problem or boon to parents? It remains to be seen whether the service offered by FindAMobile in the UK will be one or the other, or maybe a bit of each. The service allows registered users to find other users (who have given their permission to be found by …

Microsoft has once again admitted that they have found and fixed a security flaw in the Microsoft Passport that could have granted access to user's accounts. According to an article from the Washington Post, the flaw only affected folks with accounts older than four years and to Microsoft's knowledge, had …

A new law that goes into effect this week in California will require that companies that collect and maintain personal information alert customers when that information is inappropriately released.An article from CNet further details that release of information that could be used for identity theft (such as Social Security …

Wired is reporting that the California Supreme Court has overturned a ruling of a lower court against Ken Hamidi, a former Intel employee who sent anti- Intel emails after his dismissal in the 1990s. Originally, Intel went to court in order to stop the email campaign by Hamidi, who was …

The Electonic Frontier Foundation has kicked off a new campaign to back the use of peer-to-peer file sharing systems and to call for reforms in the ways that copyrights are handled and music is licensed. The site itself, and the campaign, are nothing new for the EFF, and on the …