Google to be sued for $1 billion for over 20,000 unlicensed songs on Youtube

Google is staring at a $1B legal suit Irving Azoff manages the performance rights for roughly 20,000 songs from artists such as Pharrell, John Lennon, and The Eagles through his company, Global Music Rights (GMR) — and he’s planning to sue YouTube for over $1 billion. Azoff’s claim: The online video site has not secured necessary licensing …

Apple, Google, other Tech companies ask Senate to pass NSA anti surveilance bill before Republican majority takes control

Apple, Google, and several other Internet and technology companies are in a race against the clock to get the Senate to approve a bill that will end the NSA’s bulk data collection programs. Known as the USA Freedom Act, S. 2685, the bill aims to stop the government’s collection and storage of the electronic communications …

Hacked? Gmail Users Scramble To Find Out If They Were One Of 5 Million Accounts Hacked

  Word that Russian hackers posted nearly 5 million Gmail usernames and passwords to a shadowy bitcoin forum pushed much of the Internet into a panic Wednesday. Many of Google’s hundreds of millions of users scrambled to see if they were among those victimized, though that very act was a risk because of the number …

“right to be forgotten” demands on Google to affect Wikipedia links

Request for blocking of search results granted to anonymous applicant is first to affect an entry in the online encyclopaedia. Google is set to restrict search terms to a link to a Wikipedia article, in the first request under Europe‘s controversial new “right to be forgotten” legislation to affect the 110m-page encyclopaedia. The identity of …

EU, Google reach deal on competition remedies

The EU and Google agreed Wednesday on how to settle complaints the US Internet giant is squeezing competitors in Europe’s search market, avoiding legal action and billions in fines. “I believe that the new proposal obtained from Google after long and difficult talks can now address the Commission’s concerns,” EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said. …

EU’s patience is running out, as massive antitrust fines loom over Google

Summary: The European antitrust chief is tapping is foot. He’s still not at all happy with Google. Google’s latest settlement package from October still isn’t enough to appease regulators, who are eyeing a $5 billion fine or a partial block of its business in the 28 member state bloc as a backup last resort. EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia …