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The head of Microsoft’s Cambridge lab outlines the strategy: to scout the science world for new software markets.

On Tuesday, October 24, IBM filed in Texas federal court two suits for patent infringement against Amazon Inc. While details of five patents were not disclosed, one patent attracted particular interest: Patent US 5,319,542 - Ordering Items Using an Electronic Catalogue. Is it possible that IBM challenges the famous “one-click order” patent of Amazon? In any case, if the suit comes to trial, it will provide an opportunity to test not only the validity of this particular patent, but more generally of “business methods” patents, which have been highly controversial.

The European Research Council has confirmed that its first grants will be targeted at young researchers with between two and eight years' postdoctoral experience.