Big U.S. Tech Firms Anxious About 'Brexit' Vote in EU

Tech firms have clashed with the EU on regulatory issues ranging from privacy to taxes to antitrust law. But ahead of a referendum on the U.K.’s continued membership in the EU, several technology executives and lobbyists said that the U.K.’s leaving the bloc could deepen those battles -- while creating new obstacles for them to do business in the U.K., too.

Clinton Foundation Breached by Russian Hackers

The Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation was among the organizations breached by suspected Russian hackers in a dragnet of the U.S. political apparatus ahead of the November election, according to three people familiar with the matter. The attacks on the foundation’s network, as well as those of the Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, compound concerns about her digital security even as the FBI continues to investigate her use of a personal e-mail server while she was secretary of state.

Senate Blocks Bill Giving FBI Greater Access to Email, Data

The Senate rejected a Republican-led effort to allow the FBI to access a person’s Internet browsing history, email account data and other electronic communications without a court order in terrorism and spy cases. The measure from Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) would have also extended the government’s authority to conduct surveillance over potential “lone wolf” attackers.

Chinese Smartphone Makers Seek Patents as Ammunition

China’s smartphone makers increasingly are turning to patents as ammunition as they try to reel in global leaders Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Chinese technology giants from Huawei Technologies Co. to ZTE Corp. and Lenovo Group Ltd. are acquiring patents through licensing deals, acquisitions and hefty spending on research and development -- moves that could signal more legal challenges for Apple and Samsung not just in China, but overseas as well.

OECD Report Warns About Limits on Online Speech

At least a dozen countries are considering or have enacted laws restricting online speech, a trend that is alarming policymakers and others who see the internet as a valuable medium for debate and expression. Such curbs are called out as a threat to the open internet in a report on internet governance set to be released at an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development meeting in Cancun, Mexico.

N.Y. Bill Would Require Hardware Makers to Publish Repair Instructions

A New York bill called the Fair Repair Act would require that hardware manufacturers make repair instructions and parts available to the public. If passed by state lawmakers, the bill could open up independent access to repairs across the nation; its legality in one state would free up information and distribution flow to the rest of the country.

FCC to Vote on New Rules for 5G Wireless Spectrum

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission will vote July 14 on new rules to identify and open spectrum for next-generation high-speed 5G wireless applications, the panel's chairman said. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said if the FCC "approves my proposal next month, the United States will be the first country in the world to open up high-band spectrum for 5G networks and applications."

U.S. Cyber Command Leader Says ISIS Has Online 'Aspirations'

Over the past few years, cyberattacks on businesses have led to huge losses and diminished consumer confidence. But cyberattacks are also happening on the national scale as the internet becomes another arena for global conflict. To get a picture of this emerging battlefield, The Wall Street Journal’s Rebecca Blumenstein spoke with Lt. Gen. James K. “Kevin” McLaughlin, deputy commander of the U.S. Cyber Command.

Alleged Inventor of Bitcoin Building Patent Portfolio

Craig Wright, the Australian who claimed to be the inventor of bitcoin, is attempting to build a large patent portfolio around the digital currency and technology underpinning it, according to associates of his and documents reviewed by Reuters. Since February, Wright has filed more than 50 patent applications in Britain through Antigua-registered EITC Holdings Ltd, which a source close to the company confirmed was connected to Wright, government records show.

Twitch Sues Operators of 'Bot Services' for Deception

It's a new day in the entertainment industry, and few lawsuits speak to where things are heading for better or worse like the one filed by Twitch Interactive, the Amazon.com subsidiary that allows users to watch others play video games. With more than 100 million users, Twitch is massively successful, but according to a complaint filed in California federal court, there's bad apples beneath the surface. Specifically, bots.

N.Y. Lawmakers Legalize Online Sports Fantasy Games

Months after being halted by the New York attorney general, daily fantasy sports won a major victory as state lawmakers moved to legalize the online games. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, a Democrat, has not yet indicated that he will sign the bill, but the final legislation included proposed modifications from his staff, suggesting at least some degree of support.

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The GigaLaw Firm helps companies of all sizes protect their brands online, using domain name dispute policies – such as the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) – and other legal tools available to copyright and trademark owners on the Internet.