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Heathrow Airport installs anti-drone system that can locate UAV pilots
The UK knows first-hand how disruptive drones can be to major airports. Last March, it introduced legislation to widen the drone no-fly zone around airports to five kilometers. Now, to enforce the new rules, London's Heathrow Airport has installed a system to detect and identify unauthorized UAVs.
EA tweet was 'unauthorized,' no new NBA Jam announcements
A tweet teasing a new entry in basketball series NBA Jam came from unauthorized use of the account, EA has told Joystiq. "Yesterday, there was unauthorized use of the @nbajam Twitter handle," an EA representative said. "We do not have any announcements to make about NBA Jam at this time." The tweet in question is still on the account. The series returned to consoles in 2010 with NBA Jam before an enhanced NBA Jam: On Fire Edition version arrived in 2011. The series is dormant, then, until EA decides to officially announce a new game. In other words, this is like that time Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Shawn Bradley, Muggsy Bogues and Larry Johnson had to wait for Michael Jordan to bring their basketball talent back to them in Space Jam. [Image: Electronic Arts]
Microsoft files motion to dismiss Datel suit, cites Apple and others in defense
Microsoft has registered a motion to dismiss the antitrust lawsuit originally filed by unofficial memory card maker Datel, in which Datel claimed that by locking out its cards, Microsoft was being illegally anti-competitive in the field of 'Multiplayer Online Dedicated Gaming Systems" and their accessories. Microsoft's motion to dismiss (here's the PDF link) actually cites one of its biggest rivals, Apple, who fought off another unofficial vendor by claiming that its users (us) had knowingly agreed that by using its products, any aftermarket products had to come from Apple as well. You can't run OS X on any computers not made by Apple, says Microsoft, and so you can't use any non-Microsoft memory cards on your Xbox. As with most legal filings, the situation is complicated. Datel is also trying to claim that Microsoft has a grip on the console market by claiming that the much better selling Nintendo Wii isn't actually a part of that market, which leaves Microsoft in the weird position of arguing that yes, there are plenty of consoles (including the PSP and even the PlayStation 2) that "have outsold the Xbox 360." And Microsoft also argues that Datel's cheat-enabling memory cards "undermine quality user experience" on Xbox Live, which would also be reason enough to keep them off the system. Interesting arguments, all, but we'll have to see which emerge victorious after a hearing scheduled for March 2 in San Francisco.
Psystar's lawyer: Psystar not done yet
Last night on the Talkcast, we talked about the big news last week that Psystar seemed to be down for the count, and the consensus was that we'd heard the last of them. But not so fast: their lawyer now says that they're not calling it quits just yet. The company that has gotten pummeled by Apple for selling Mac clones apparently "does not intend to shut down permanently," according to K. A. D. Camera of legal firm Camera & Sibley. According to him, they're still working on selling their Rebel EFI product (also currently entangled in legal problems), and they're planning on pushing forward on their antitrust case against Apple (which has already been thrown out once). We're not sure where they'll get the money for all of this legal action after already being ordered to give a couple million dollars to Apple, but maybe those 768 computers they sold made more than we thought. There is one bright point in all of this: while Rebel EFI is still listed as out of stock on their website, they are selling official Psystar t-shirts for $15 which they say will also include a Rebel EFI authorization code later on and now those appear to be gone too! I don't know about you (and I don't really want to give these guys any credit card information), but one of those shirts would look great sitting under my tree later this week. If this whole installing-OS X-on-unauthorized-hardware-in-violation-of-Apple's-EULA thing doesn't work out for Psystar, maybe they can have a second life as a merch vendor.
Blizzard Settles with Unauthorized WoW Guide Author
You may remember the story from a few months back of Brian Kopp, the author who had written an unauthorized WoW guide & was sued for selling it online by Blizzard, an who in turn sued them for infringing upon his business. Well, it looks like sometimes, the little guy does win after all, because on Friday, Blizzard reached a settlement with Kopp's lawyers, agreeing to remove their complaints about him that resulted in the suspension of his eBay account.Blizzard never had a leg to stand on in the case, as far as I could see, and Mr. Kopp deserves big kudos just for standing up to the corporate giant the way he did, no matter how the case had turned out. I'm glad it turned out in his favor, though, and we wish Mr. Kopp the best of luck in the future. You can read more about the story as it was reported in USA Today right here.
