U.S. may fight satellite-TV license sale: Primestar seeking slot now held by A Sky B

Article Abstract:

The Justice Department is leaning toward challenging American Sky Broadcasting's (A Sky B) plan to sell its satellite television license to Primestar Partners, according to people close to the department's staff. A Sky B, a venture of MCI and News Corp., sold its license to Primestar for $1.1 billion in nonvoting stock in Jun 1997 after apparently choosing to forgo plans of starting a new direct-broadcast satellite carrier. Primestar's offer to shed some of its existing satellites while taking over the disputed A Sky B license was not enough to gain the Justice Department's approval to acquire the license, according to the sources. Only three direct-broadcast players would remain in business, and Justice Department staff members worry that a consolidation could reduce competition and harm customers. GM's DirecTV, in operation with United States Satellite Broadcasting, and Echostar Communications are the other companies.

Cable and other pay TV services, Direct Broadcast Satellite TV Providers, Cable and Other Program Distribution, Laws, regulations and rules, Telecommunications regulations, Satellite communications, Direct broadcast satellite television industry, Satellite television, Satellite television industry, Government communications regulation, Market domination, Market share, Government Regulation, PRIMESTAR Partners L.P., American Sky Broadcasting

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Defense Dept. computers face a hacker threat, report says: growing danger to U.S. security is cited

Article Abstract:

A report from the General Accounting Office states that the Defense Department has made itself vulnerable to attack from hackers because of its heavy reliance on computers and the Internet. The investigators say that the threat to national security is growing as more people begin using the Internet, and it says that an estimated 250,000 attacks were made on the Pentagon's computer network in 1995. The Defense Dept does not dispute the report but claims it knows of no cases in which hackers have reached secret information or weapons-firing systems. The Pentagon does acknowledge that in roughly 65% of attacks, hackers were able to access some part of its computer network. The report provides details of some of these episodes and outlines potential scenarios in which hostile powers take over the Pentagon network during a conflict. At least 120 countries are known to be creating such information warfare techniques.

Telegraph & other communications, Local Area Networks, Safety and security measures, Investigations, Telecommunications systems, Computer crime, Computer crimes, Computer hackers, United States. Department of Defense, United States. Government Accountability Office, Military communications, Hacker

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Microsoft scraps software deal that Justice Dept. sued to halt; move into electronic commerce will be slowed

Article Abstract:

Microsoft is dropping its plans to acquire Intuit Inc for $2 billion because the Justice Department opposes the move and the company wants to avoid a series of time-consuming lawsuits. By cancelling its deal with Intuit, which produces Quicken, the most popular personal finance software package, Microsoft is significantly delaying its entry into the electronic commerce market. The Justice Department sued Microsoft in order to block the proposed acquisition and the company's initial reaction was that it would move forward with its plans. But after the Justice Department accused Microsoft and Intuit of acting in bad faith, Microsoft decided that it would rather cancel its plans rather than face months of legal problems. Justice Department officials are happy that the two companies will not be merging and are calling the cancelled acquisition a victory for the American consumer.

Mergers & Acquisitions, Computer software industry, Software industry, Mergers, acquisitions and divestments, Microsoft Corp., MSFT, Intuit Inc., Company Acquisition Merger

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