Apple sued over ‘exploding’ iPod

Apple is being sued in the United States after a mother alleged that her son had suffered second degree burns when his iPod touch caught fire The lawsuit, which has been filed with a court in Ohio, accuses Apple of “gross negligence and recklessness” and of behaving “maliciously and fraudulently”. The legal action has been bought by Lynette Antrobus from Cincinnati, who claims that her son’s iPod touch music player spontaneously combusted in his trouser pocket while he was at school on Dec 4 last year. Documents filed with Ohio Southern District Court state that the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, heard an “unexpected pop” from the device, which was switched off, followed by a “burning sensation” and the swift realisation that his “pants” had caught fire. Mrs Antrobus is claiming $75,000 plus punitive damage from Apple on behalf of her son for the second degree burns allegedly inflicted by the iPod touch, and for the “pain, mental distress, emotional distress” that the victim will endure “for the rest of his life”. Apple has not commented on the case.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/apple/4987007/Apple-sued-over-exploding-iPod.html

YouTube in licensing bust-up

YouTube has come to blows with the Performing Rights Society (PRS) in a row over a licensing deal. The PRS is collecting money for artists and performers whose 'premium' music videos have found their way on to the popular video sharing website. YouTube claims the PRS is asking for far too much money, while the collection agency insists that YouTube is reliant on the content. 'PRS is now asking us to pay many, many times more for our license than before,' complained YouTube's negotiator Patrick Walker. He added: 'The costs are simply prohibitive for us - under PRS's proposed terms we would lose significant amounts of money with every playback.' As a response, Youtube has this week blocked tracks with 'premium' video content from UK users. The case echoes that of music streaming service Pandora, which ceased its own operations in the UK last year after a breakdown in licence negotiations.

Source: http://www.bcs.org/server.php?show=conWebDoc.24909

Merrill Lynch looking at "irregularity" in trading

Merrill Lynch said on Friday it had discovered an "irregularity" in its London trading positions and the Financial Times reported that a Merrill trader had been suspended over a suspected $400 million loss. In a statement, the U.S. bank said senior managers were "focused on the issue" and said "risks surrounding possible losses are under control" but did not provide any details. "During a recent evaluation of certain positions, we discovered an irregularity," the bank said. The statement came as Irish regulators said they were investigating the "mispricing of trades" at Merrill's London branch, an issue that they said was raised with them on February 18. Merrill said it was helping regulators with the investigation. The Financial Times said a London-based trader at the bank had been suspended after trades on Norwegian and Swedish currencies went wrong, with potential losses of $400 million.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSTRE52621020090307