International Business Machines has just surpassed its very old and traditional rival, Microsoft Corp., in the evaluation of market value of both companies. Microsoft Corp. had kept its considerable dominance over IBM since it first surpassed over the market price of IBM in April 1996. This was a very eye opening unfolding of the time, as this swipe in the market value of the world's two most popular technology companies was not foreseen and happened very abruptly. IBM was ruling the entire computer industry for decades till it hired Microsoft, a very small company than, for providing it with an operating system for its launch of a new line of PC’s in early 1980s. 
Image via CrunchBaseBill Gates was pioneering this revolution as his company undoubtedly dominated whole of the computer industry, exercising his vision which stated; “software is much more valuable and powerful than hardware.” This envisioned Microsoft Corp. as it continued much profitable success leading to a better market value compared to IBM; by the end of 1999, the fortunes had fluctuated to such extend that that Microsoft's market value was three folds more than that of IBM. The rise of Seattle-based Microsoft led many market analysts to believe that IBM is no more than an old-fashioned, immobile giant which failed to keep the pace in the computing revolution. However, right after such contrast, since 2000, history repeated itself and this time in an up-side down manner, as the stock of Microsoft Corp. halted their steep rise. Many investors doubted its aptitude for moving any further than the already introduced advancements, like Windows operating system and Office suite of software. Whereas, filling in the spaces, other relatively younger rivals, such as Google Inc and Facebook, took over its place and had an almost similar boosting increase in value.
A group of local activists in France have designed a website to run an Internet Movement which will practically send roses to the victimized woman; she courageously accused the ex-head of IMF, Dominique Strauss-Kahn for an attempted rape. The website addressed at www.une-rose-pour-ophelia.fr, which is the French for "Offer a rose to Ophelia." Ophelia is a nickname given to the 32-year-old chambermaid, who accused Strauss-Kahn of attacking herm, which lead to his arrest last week. 
Image by International Monetary Fund via Flickr
This lawsuit and the arrest made of the economist has led to enormous international flames, the most immediate consequences included the resignation of the renowned economist from his post in IMF along with eradicating any intention of competing in the coming 2012 elections for being the President of France. The feminine community of France has alleged that both, the public figures and media, are showing extra concern for Strauss-Kahn rather than the poor maid. The maid has accused the economist of locking her forcefully in a bathroom and then forcing him on her, which has consequently charged him of several charges including criminal sexual act, attempted rape and unlawful imprisonment. The website dedicated to the maid reads, "Dear Ophelia, a rose to forgive us for not thinking enough of you." It has attracted plenty internet traffic towards itself after the launch on Saturday, enough to send almost 400 roses to the woman, who stays under protective custody in New York. The website goes on asserting that "We have talked a lot about our countryman, his detention, his emotions, and not enough about yours. That's why, without presuming a ruling yet to be handed down and respecting the presumption of innocence, we send you these flowers."
Digital rights group, Electronic Frontier Foundation, has asked for refuge of Apple Inc. in supporting the iOS developers, from the risk of having a patent lawsuit at their hand from Lodsys. This patent lawsuit accuses the app developers for using the in-app purchasing feature of iOS. In a blog post published on Friday, EFF staff attorney, Julie Samuels, stated that the developers are extremely troubled over "Apple's failure to defend" its third-party iOS developers. She revealed that the official letter from Lodsys was received last week accusing the company to be infringing on a patent which apparently includes in-app purchasing functionality, Lodsys even gave an official warning to the developers to license their said technology within next 21 days or they will have to face legal action. In the blog post, she wrote that "We've been waiting expectantly for Apple to step up and protect the app developers accused of patent infringement solely for using a technology that Apple required they use in order to sell their apps in Apple's App Store." Defending the accusations which label the company to be a 'patent troll,' Lodsys justified the actions of the company by pointing out that only the licensed technology of Apple does not cover any third-party developers. It was further stated that both Apple rivals, Google and Microsoft, also have similar licensed technology from the company.
The analysts of Music industry are predicting confidently that Apple will perhaps announce, or maybe even release, its expected "iCloud" music streaming service in June. However, for that to happen, it needs to strike several deals and agreements with music publishers very quickly. Music publishers actually have different set of rights than the music distribution companies, which Apple must acquire, confirms Peter Kafka of MediaMemo. Apple is rumored to have already being almost finished the process of securing deals with the music labels, after which, it has recently has begun focusing to acquire these deals with publishers. 
Image via CrunchBase
Not much can be said regarding the time period in which Apple will acquire these deals with the publishers, though considering its urgency with music labels, it can be expected any time. However, it is noteworthy to point out that Apple’s release of the new feature offering 90 second song previews in iTunes, was halted for several months previously as it discussed agreements and addressed concerns of same publishers. Many music industry sources are indentifying Apple’s inclination to make the announcement or release of its so-called "iCloud" service, during its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWC), starting on the 6th June in San Francisco. Kafka declared that majority of analysts expect this year’s WWC to be more software-oriented than the preceding ones, also implying that probably Apple might not even reveal its new Apple iPhone hardware.
Image via WikipediaApple has taken official action against Amazon in court, as the company continues its struggle in defending its trademark of the title "App Store." Apple is looking for the court to avert Amazon from using the name "appstore" for its new Android application storefront. Apple filed a legal complaint in the federal Court of Oakland, Calif. Bloomberg reports that Apple has demanded from the court to immediately deny the claims of Amazon that the term "App Store" is generic. This is a trademark infringement suit against Amazon for its newly launched Appstore for Android. According to the writings in Apple’s complaint, it says "Apple denies that, based on their common meaning, the words 'app store' together denotes a store for apps." Further the statement implies that the term “App Store” is not used very frequently by businesses to refer to any download services, hence it asserts that the term "app store" is not generic. Initially the lawsuit of Apple Inc. was filed in March, just a day before Amazon released its own Appstore. Amazon gave a legal response in April, keeping the stance that the term "app store" is too generic, so not only Android, but anyone should be able to use it. The very recent response of Apple is an effort to refute this claim of Amazon.
