A '90s espionage tale stars software rivals, E-mail spy

Article Abstract:

Performix Inc is suing rival load testing software developer Mercury Interactive Corp for allegedly committing fraud and illegally attempting to reverse engineer Performix's Empower/CS software. The case has raised interest beyond the computer software industry due to its spy vs spy nature, its high-tech detective work and the possible involvement of a secret US government agency. Performix, which leads the software load testing market with its Empower/CS application, granted a temporary license to business man Joel Dietrich, who claimed that he was acting on behalf of a secret government agency. Performix then received an E-mail message over the Internet that was sent from the copy of Empower/CS licensed to Dietrich. The E-mail message was part of a special feature found the software that sent a message if the application was used improperly. The message originated from Mercury Interactive's home address. Dietrich's daughter and son-in-law both work for Mercury Interactive. Performix is suing both Dietrich and Mercury.

Prepackaged software, Diagnostics Software Pkgs, Computer software industry, Software industry, Cases, Application development software, Design and construction, Copyrights, Patents, Program development software, Litigation, Mercury Interactive Corp., MERQ, Patent/Copyright Issue, Debugging software, Debugging/Testing Software, Lawsuit/Litigation, Performix Inc. (McLean, Virginia), Performix Empower/CS (Debugging/testing software)

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The dotted line: a little Internet firm got a big monopoly; Is that such a bad thing? Network Solutions has lock on 'dot-com' addresses; rivals gain an opening; hiring Gore's former aide

Article Abstract:

Since 1993, Network Solutions Inc has held an exclusive government contract to oversee distribution of Web addresses, including the '.com' suffix, which identifies the business domain. The monopoly has proved lucrative: registering Web addresses at $70 each has transformed Network Solutions into a formidable publicly traded company that expects to record revenues of $77 million in 1998. But now, the company's contract has expired, and rivals want the business of maintaining the Web's address book opened to competition. Aiming to prevent this, Network Solutions has hired lobbyists including Ira Magaziner, who has close ties to VP Al Gore. Magaziner says Network Solutions' role is an important one, and what is at stake is 'the stability of the Internet.' Magaziner is working with the Commerce Department on what could emerge as a compromise solution. Magaziner's arrangement would permit Network Solutions to function as an exclusive wholesaler.

Telegraph & other communications, Specialized Telecom Services, Wired Telecommunications Carriers, Management, Internet, Telecommunications services industry, Telecommunications industry, Political activity, Internet services, Domain names, Company Profile, World Wide Web, Network Solutions Inc. (Herndon, Virginia), NSOL, Internet address/domain name, Government monopolies, Magaziner, Ira C., Government contract

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Foreign deals rely on bribes, U.S. contends

Article Abstract:

Transnational bribery laws took effect Monday 2/22/99 for member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD. It remains to be seen whether this will help stop the many bribes that allegedly are part of many, if not all, deals between companies vying for international contracts. The U.S. government states it has received notice that 239 such contracts, totalling $108 billion, were influenced by bribes between May 1994 and April 1998.

United States, International economic relations, World, Legislative Bodies, Foreign Affairs, Laws, regulations and rules, Abstract, Control, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Bribery, Foreign business enterprises

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