Skype founders plan to sue eBay September 16, 2009 The founders of Skype are suing eBay and the consortium that recently agreed to buy the internet phone service. The lawsuit from Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis is over theft of peer-to-peer technology. The case comes after a consortium, including venture firm Index Ventures, agreed to pay $1.9bn (£1.2bn) to eBay for a 65 per [...]
Stanford loses private lawyers September 16, 2009 ALLEN Stanford, the Texas cricket financier accused of running a $7bn Ponzi scam, was yesterday appointed a public defender to represent him in his criminal case because he has no money to hire a lawyer. Stanford, who yesterday appeared in court in shackles, is believed to have requested former White House political adviser Karl Rove’s [...]
Keep Cadbury independent, says its chief September 16, 2009 CADBURY chief executive Todd Stitzer yesterday said the Dairy Milk maker should remain independent, as he put his case to a group of shareholders and industry analysts. Stitzer attempted to win shareholder support, stressing that Cadbury was on the hunt for acquisitions and not just the bid target of Kraft’s £10.2bn takeover approach. Stitzer said [...]
EC says it has not told Lloyds to sell Halifax September 16, 2009 THE European Commission said yesterday that it had not struck a deal with Lloyds Banking Group that would see the lender dispose of Halifax in return for approval of the state aid it has received from the government. EC competition commissioner Neelie Kroes has repeatedly signalled that the bank will have to dispose of assets, [...]
ITV execs in the frame for C4’s top job September 16, 2009 TWO ITV executives were yesterday being hotly tipped to succeed Andy Duncan as chief executive of Channel 4 (C4) when he steps down later this year. Peter Fincham, ITV’s director of television, and John Cresswell, the commercial broadcaster’s chief operating officer, are both believed to be favourites for the high-profile role. C4’s Duncan ended months [...]
Yen surges on currency pledge September 16, 2009 THE Yen surged to a seven month-high against the dollar yesterday, after Japan’s incoming finance minister said the government would not interfere to halt the currency’s recent ascent. The Yen reached a high of Y90.16 against the dollar, its best reading since February, when Hirohisa Fuji said the new centre-left Democratic party opposed intervention in [...]
Cuomo to grill BoA directors September 16, 2009 NEW York attorney general Andrew Cuomo has issued subpoenas to five directors of Bank of America (BoA), according to US sources. Cuomo is seeking information from the executives on what they knew about Merrill Lynch and the bonuses that were paid at the bank in the lead-up to last year’s rescue merger with BoA. His [...]
Early hurdles cleared just September 16, 2009 IT’S crucially important to get a good start in the Champions League group stages, but it is also devilishly difficult – as English teams ably demonstrated this week. All won, but by a single goal, and all made heavy weather of games that, on paper at least, looked straightforward. Arsenal particularly will analyse their poor [...]
ADEBAYOR ACCEPTS CHARGE September 16, 2009 MANCHESTER CITY will be without Emmanuel Adebayor for Sunday’s local derby against United after the striker accepted a charge of violent conduct. Adebayor is set to be handed a three-match ban for kicking Robin van Persie’s head during Saturday’s 4-2 victory over former club Arsenal. The Togo international is also facing a separate ban for [...]
Flintoff given a thumbs-up September 16, 2009 ANDREW FLINTOFF’S decision to refuse an England contract was yesterday defended by the Professional Cricketers’ Association. The injury-plagued all-rounder turned down an incremental one-day contract from the England and Wales Cricket Board on Tuesday – a decision which effectively offers himself as a freelance player in Twenty20 competitions across the world. The decision came as [...]
