Latest articles for Briefs from DMNews

Curly fries to the rescue

Mon, 05 May 2008 03:43:00 GMT

Arby's recently launched a Rescue Brigade concept with Merkley & Partners. A microsite, www.arbysrescuebrigade.com, introduces a group of brand enthusiasts who show up in a branded Rescue Mobile to "save the world from ordinary fast food." Consumers can submit videos to join the team and be featured in an on-air commercial.

Microsoft directors meet to discuss Yahoo

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:19:00 GMT

Microsoft's directors met April 30 to discuss its possible bid to purchase online search giant Yahoo. There were speculations the company would offer a higher bid than the original $44.6 billion one. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer threatened to start a proxy fight to oust Yahoo's board if the two companies did not reach a negotiated deal by April 26. However, that deadline has passed with no action. On May 1, Ballmer reportedly told staff a decision on whether to lead a hostile takeover or raise the bid would be announced soon.

United Online Inc.acquired FTD

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:01:00 GMT

FTD Group Inc., the online floral delivery business, was acquired for $456 million by United Online Inc., which owns social networking site Classmates.com and customer loyalty site MyPoints.com. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of this year.

Amazon files complaint against tax law

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:00:00 GMT

On May 2, Amazon filed a complaint in New York Supreme Court objecting to the state law approved by Gov. David A. Paterson last week, which requires out-of-state online retailers to collect taxes on everything sold in the state if it has agents or affiliates in New York. Amazon, which has thousands of affiliates with New York addresses, is contesting the constitutionality of the law.

PI on Google's case

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 03:36:00 GMT

Google is being sued by David Almeida, a private investigator who is using Google AdSense to promote his business. Almeida filed charged against the Web giant in federal court last Tuesday claiming the company deceived him and charged for ads displayed on third-party Web sites, a service he claims not to have requested — Almeida alleges that he left the "optional" box blank.

FCC looks into Web traffic jams

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 03:34:00 GMT

The Federal Communications Commission has conducted two hearings on network management, following Comcast Corp.'s claim that it sometimes delayed file-sharing traffic for subscribers as a way to keep Web traffic flowing. FCC chairman Kevin Martin said that his agency has all the authority it needs to prevent Internet service providers from discriminating against Web surfers and that new legislation is unnecessary.

California dreamin' of iTax

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 03:29:00 GMT

California state lawmaker Charles Calderon is proposing a tax on music purchases made online. The proposal, AB1956, seeks to tax music downloads by adding sales tax to music purchases made online — increasing the price of the average iTunes download from 99 cents to $1.08.

EBay alleges dilution

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 03:00:00 GMT

EBay filed a lawsuit in the state of Delaware against community classified site Craigslist last Tuesday. The online auction site, which bought 28.4% of Craigslist in 2004, claims that Craigslist's two directors, founder Craig Newmark and chief executive Jim Buckmaster, unfairly diluted eBay's economic interest in the company in January.

Pay online for the earth

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:26:00 GMT

Digital Pulp launched a new brand site for The PayItGreen Alliance, formed by NACHA — the Electronic Payments Association — to encourage consumers and businesses to manage their finances electronically. The Web site, found at www.payitgreen.org, guides visitors to information about the benefits of online payment using animation.

Canadia Post/FedEx teamwork

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 03:22:00 GMT

Canada Post Corporation and FedEx Canada have teamed up to develop Priority Worldwide, a new international express service. The service will be delivered in Canada through Canada Post's retail and commercial networks, and worldwide through the FedEx international delivery network, beginning in Fall 2008.