9/05/2008 IP News & Blog Round-Up

• Microsoft faces an antimonopoly investigation in China - Claims that Microsoft uses its 70% market share to set prices have cause the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission to open an investigation. Microsoft China's preliminary argument? Most of that 70% is counterfeit software. (from Chinese Law Prof Blog)
  

• The Brand Battle spills over into the Internet - And you thought Patents were tough. This article details the growing importance and complications of trademarks in the Internet era. (from the New York Times)
  

• Celebrate/Decry World Day Against Software Patents - Depending on your stance, September 24th will be day to remember or ignore. (from ITWire)
  

• The Wangfang lawsuit shows why Class Action is truly something to be afraid of in China - An infringement suit against an online information content provider for unauthorized use of copyrighted material demands damages of an acceptable RMB 7,000 (US$1,000) per person. Yet the number of plaintiffs brings the total figure up to RMB 3.5 million. (China Hearsay)