This Silicon Valley News article reports that the Internet Software Consortium, developers of BIND domain name software, is releasing a patch intended to block Verisign’s SITE FINDER service (or, as ICANN Watch puts it, Verisign’s typosquatting).

Professor Lessig may be distracted right now enjoying his new status as father, but at some point I would be interested in his take, in the context of his “Code as Regulator” framework, on this brou-ha-ha consisting of two companies taking unilateral actions affecting how the DNS operates (well, more than two, if you count MSN and AOL).  Should/Does ICANN (or any other regulator or standards setting body) have a say in this?

p.s. Demonizing Verisign aside, is Site Finder a smarter form of navigation?  Is user experience enhanced?

J&J-Merck has sued P&G, makers of PRILOSEC OTC, alleging that the claim “One Pill. Twenty-four hours. Zero Heartburn.” and “Just one and heartburn’s done” are false, as they imply that one pill will eliminate heartburn in 24 hours.  In fact, according to the suit, the pill is to be taken once a day for 14 days, and may take 1 to 4 days for full effect.  Via MSNBC.COM.

In the recent comedy DICKIE ROBERTS, David Spade is seen sliding (and crashing) on a SLIP N’ SLIDE, a yellow plastic sheet intended to be used when inflated and wet.  AP reports that Wham-O, manufacturers of the SLIP N’ SLIDE product, has sued, arguing that the depiction of the product was unauthorized, and encourages the unsafe use of the product (which is intended for children under 5 feet tall).

The suit seemed less frivolous to me after hearing that several years ago, an adult was injured using the SLIP N’SLIDE when drunk, yet sued and collected $12 million from Wham-O.

Commentary from Slate here.

SLIP N’ SLIDE available here.

 

In 1989 Apple Computer paid Apple Corps. (the Beatles’ label) $27 million to settle a trademark lawsuit.  I believe that Apple also paid several million in legal fees at the time (Apple’s unsuccessful attempt at getting insurance to pay its fees reported here).  Without seeing the 1989 settlement agreement, I can’t comment on the somewhat surprising news that Apple Computer launched its new iTunes service without assurance that Apple Corps. wouldn’t sue again.  It has.  Update – the WSJ reports that the suit was filed in the UK on Juy 4.

This makes Apple Computer look like a repeat offender.

A lot of coverage here.