Microsoft will make its next-generation "Windows Vista" operating system compatible with the HD DVD format promoted by Toshiba Corp., despite recent announcements by Hollywood studios expressing support for a rival technology pushed by Sony.

Just a few days after the decision of the Japanese giant to suspend the production of its CDs that use a controversial copy-protection technology, Sony now says it will pull the albums off store shelves entirely. The record label is also offering to exchange the CDs for non-DRM versions.

Recently released data from research consultancy XTN Data shows that file sharing over the internet continues to grow and that most users are unconcerned by potential legal action.

Plextor Europe have officially announced its new external DVD-ReWriter drive - the PX-750UF. The 16x PX-750UF is an external drive that offers dual connectivity USB2.0 and IEEE 1394 and includes DVD-RAM capability in addition to +/- R (DL).

Microsoft have released the official list of 18 games which will be launched with the next-generation Xbox 360 console on Nov. 22 in North America, followed by Japan and Europe.

Owners of Nero 6 would be interested in updating to the latest versions of the popular software package.

Sony's controversial anti-piracy CD software has been labelled as spyware by Microsoft. The software giant said the XCP copy protection system counted as malicious software under the rules it uses to define what Windows should be protected against. The news came as Sony BMG suspended, production of CDs that use XCP.

A new patent holding company, Open Invention Network (OIN), has been founded with the sole aim of acquiring patents relating to Linux and offering them royalty free to Linux developers. OIN backers IBM, Novell, Red Hat, Philips and Sony said that the company would promote Linux and "spur innovation globally".

A computer security firm said on Thursday it had discovered the first virus that uses music publisher Sony BMG's controversial CD copy-protection software to hide on PCs and wreak havoc.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva watched a pirated copy of a popular film during a recent flight, the government has confirmed. The president was "saddened" by the revelation, Brazilian media reported.

Ritek expects rapid growth in the global demand for DVD+R/-R DL (single-sided double-layer) discs, according to deputy general manager Eric Chang for the company's Global Strategy Marketing Business Unit at a press conference.

Philips has updated its website by adding a new user-friendly section dedicated to the firmware of its optical disc drives.

Illegal copying of music, movies and other goods by Chinese product pirates is rising despite official promises to stamp it out, U.S. authorities said Monday, calling for stronger enforcement of intellectual-property laws.

Press Release: FrozenTech, a company dedicated to providing Linux LiveCDs, has introduced a new product – the ISO Loaded Hard Drive (ILHD). FrozenTech's ILHD immediately adds 246 Gigabytes of open source operating systems to any collection by distributing open source ISO files on consumer hard drives.

Malaysia's government has been accused of failing to act on evidence that licensed CD factories are producing pirated music, films and software.

Search engine contender Microsoft has retaliated to ambitious Google plans by striking a deal with the British Library to digitise 100,000 of its books.

Makers of DVD set-top boxes, in light of market saturation for entry-level DVD players and a much smaller than originally expected demand for DVD recorders, are trying to create a new market niche by offering DVD players equipped with additional functions like MPEG4-support, karaoke, and hard disk drives (HDDs), according to industry sources.

After facing a chorus of criticism from computer enthusiasts, Sony BMG has released a software patch that removes controversial cloaking technology found in copy protection software the company has been shipping with some of its CDs.

Hollywood has unveiled a powerful new technology which it hopes will help kill the pirating of movies. The system relies on sound – not vision – and was unveiled at a conference held by the international DVD Forum in Paris, France last week.

Press Release: Nero 7 Premium is finally available online. Nero released trial versions of its new multimedia software platform. The downloadable files are fully-functional until their expiry date.