The state of California looks set to become the second US state to pass laws restricting the sale of violent videogames to minors, after the California state senate and assembly both overwhelmingly voted in favour of AB1179.

The bill, which began life as AB450 and has suffered multiple defeats and redraftings on the road to acceptance, has been proposed by assemblyman Leland Yee, an outspoken critic of the videogames industry’s adult products.

It includes provisions for a $1000 fine for any retailer who sells a violent game to a minor, and for a large “18″ sticker to be applied to the box of any violent title, which would be significantly more visible than the current ESRB ratings.

One final step exists before the bill enters law - it must be signed by Californian governor Arnold Schwarznegger, himself the star of several violent movies and games. Schwarznegger has 30 days in which to either sign or veto the bill.

Source: gamesindustry.biz

Microsoft is planning to release the next version of its client operating system, Windows Vista as a series of up to seven different SKU.

There will be two general categories of Windows Vista editions, Home and Business.

In the Home category, Microsoft will create four product editions: Windows Vista Starter Edition, Windows Vista Home Basic Edition, Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, and Windows Vista Ultimate Edition. In the Business category, there are plans for the release of three editions: Windows Vista Small Business Edition, Windows Vista Professional Edition, and Windows Vista Enterprise Edition.

Source: WindowsITPro

Software maker Oracle has agreed to acquire competitor Siebel Systems in a deal worth around $5.8 billion, the companies said Monday.

Siebel makes software for handling customer relationship management, or CRM. Oracle said its acquisition will add 4,000 customers and 3.4 million CRM users.

Oracle will offer $10.66 for each share of Siebel stock, a nearly 17 percent premium over the company’s $9.13 closing price Friday

Source: News.com

The online auctioneer eBay Inc. is buying Skype Technologies SA, paying at least $2.6 billion for the Internet-telephone company that has more than 50 million users.

The total value of the deal announced Monday may climb to $4.1 billion based on whether Skype meets a series of performance targets over the next three years, San Jose, Calif.-based eBay said.

It said the acquisition of Skype will create “an unparalleled e-commerce and communications engine” for Internet users worldwide.

Source: AP