p2pnet roundup: July 12, 2007
p2pnet news | Last of the day
Hollywood company sues for right to webcast cockfights from Puerto Rico
The founder of a Hollywood company that webcasts cockfights from Puerto Rico wants to make sure a federal law banning broadcasts of animal cruelty doesn’t get in the way of his fledgling business. Jason Atkins, 35, sued the U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday in Miami federal court, arguing the ban should not apply to his firm’s Web site because cockfights are an accepted and legal part of Puerto Rican culture.
Lawmaker criticizes iPhone termination fee
The Apple iPhone has enjoyed favorable reviews since its recent debut, but it came in for some rare criticism on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. The phones, which debuted late last month by Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple Inc. for up to $600, are usable only on AT&T Inc.’s wireless network and will remain that way until 2012. Even though the phones become expensive paperweights if customers quit AT&T’s wireless plan, the company will still charge a $175 early termination fee, said Rep. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., chairman of a House subcommittee on telecommunications and the Internet.
Oats critic may reap what he sowed
On the cynical forums of Yahoo’s finance website, a user called “rahodeb” stood out. Fiercely argumentative and passionately partisan, the shadowy tipster stuck rigidly to one topic — the strengths of the supermarket chain Whole Foods. Whole Foods, according to hundreds of “rahodeb” posts between 1999 and 2006, was easily the US’s top organic retailer. Its rival, Wild Oats, was overvalued, “floundering around” and lacking in any coherent strategy. In a disclosure that has prompted stiff questions about corporate ethics, the Federal Trade Commission this week unmasked the person behind the pseudonym as John Mackey — who co-founded Whole Foods in 1980 and built it into a $5bn Fortune 500 company.
Microsoft strikes deal to add 35 Disney movies to Xbox 360
Microsoft Corp. said Tuesday it struck a deal to make 35 Disney movies, such as the animated hit “Aladdin” and the action title “Armageddon,” available for download on its online video game service.m The high-definition movies will be available to U.S. subscribers of Microsoft’s Xbox Live, said Peter Moore, a corporate vice president in Microsoft’s entertainment and devices division, which is responsible for the Xbox business.
E3: Sony unveils new slimline PSP
During its E3 press conference, Sony unveiled plans to release an updated version of its Portable PlayStation handheld console this September. The new model holds onto its 4.3 inch wide high resolution LCD screen, while boasting that it is 33 per cent lighter (189g – original is 280g) and 19 per cent slimmer (18.6mm – original is 23.0mm) than its predecessor.
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