7. "Judge Strikes Down Part of Patriot Act"
Sept. 6, Network World

The part of the Patriot Act that lets the FBI obtain Internet service provider and telecom user records without a court order is unconstitutional, U.S. District Court Judge Victor Marrero ruled. He ordered the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice to stop issuing what are known as national security letters, which require ISPs to hand over subscriber records. The program forbade ISPs from telling customers they were being investigated. That violates the First Amendment, Marrero ruled, because it restrains free speech. It also bypasses judicial oversight. The Patriot Act was passed by Congress less than two months after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and was reauthorized in 2006. But it continues to be a lightning rod for civil liberties groups and others concerned that its provisions can be too broadly applied so that innocent citizens can become targets. Those groups have repeatedly argued that the act violates the Constitution and that it allows the erosion of civil rights. Marrero has in the past agreed, ruling in 2004 that the national security letters aspect of the law amounted to unreasonable search and seizure. After revisions were made in 2006, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit went back to Marrero for a ruling on whether the NSL provisions remained unconstitutional.

8. "Open Source Proponents Denounce Microsoft Licensing Program"
Sept. 6, Network World

Microsoft's licensing program called for under terms of its antitrust agreement with the U.S. government will be center stage at a hearing Tuesday in U.S. District Court. The review is part of the ongoing oversight of the antitrust case, including whether terms of the settlement agreement should be extended. Microsoft says the licensing program is successful, that more than 40 companies have licensed more than 200 Microsoft protocols for server, storage and security services. The U.S. Department of Justice, which is the lead plaintiff is the antitrust case, agrees. However, six plaintiff states and open-source advocates say the licensing plan hasn't promoted competition and interoperability. A federal judge will hear the arguments for and against and render a decision about where things stand.

9. "Apple Adds iPod Touch to Revamped iPod Line"
Sept. 5, Playlist

"Apple Launches the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store"
Sept. 5, Playlist

"Apple Slashes 8GB iPhone Price by $200"
Sept. 5, Macworld

Just in time for holiday wish lists, Apple announced the iPod touch (small "T") with a touch-interface widescreen similar to the iPhone's. The navigation buttons on the new iPods are the same, with icons for a calculator, a lock, a calendar and settings. Users will be able to access music (the player will store up to 40,000 tunes), video and photos, along with the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store, also announced at a launch event in San Francisco. The new music player features Wi-Fi support for 802.11 b and g networks. You'll still need to get an iPhone if you want a telephone. Speaking of the iPhone, Apple also announced it is cutting the price of the 8GB version by $200. Leading us to...