If seven is a lucky number, proponents of the so-called "bottle bill" hope the seventh voyage finally brings it into harbor. Six times the bill has met the same fate - drowned in a sea of forgotten legislation in the final, hectic days of the West Virginia Legislature. 3 Dec 2008

In a move that should ease anxieties for textile and clothing manufacturers in developing countries exporting to the US, the US House of Representatives has agreed to monitor textile and apparel imports from China when quotas expire at the end of this year. 1 Dec 2008

Part 1 of this three-part series on intellectual property law in virtual worlds discusses trademark rights as applied to virtual goods. Part 2 addresses patent rights, including how patent rights can be obtained based on actions performed in virtual worlds, and whether patent rights are enforceable against virtual infringers. Part 3 delves into copyrights: how they can be obtained based on actions performed in virtual worlds, and how to protect your rights when your copyrights are infringed in virtual environments. 28 Nov 2008

Part 1 of this three-part series on intellectual property law in virtual worlds discusses trademark rights as applied to virtual goods. Part 2 addresses patent rights, including how patent rights can be obtained based on actions performed in virtual worlds, and whether patent rights are enforceable against virtual infringers. Part 3 will delve into copyright issues. 26 Nov 2008

It's been said before, but recent incidents suggest it bears repeating: The profiles that online social network users maintain can -- and often do -- have ways of coming around and biting them in real life when too much info is shared. Personal details that may seem humorous to the person posting them might appear careless -- or offensive -- to someone else, and it can be a disaster when that person has power over your job. 25 Nov 2008

Widespread recognition of the impressionability of children up to the age of 12 years has led to recent changes to the Advertising Standards Authority's code on food and beverage advertising to children. 24 Nov 2008

Two Durban-based computer outlets, Computer and Electronic Services in Smith Street and World Wide Web in the Bluff, have been raided by police for allegedly selling PCs pre-loaded with illegal software. 21 Nov 2008