E-Commerce Blog

It now appears almost certain that Google and the Chinese government will not reach an accord over Internet censorship policies and that Google will begin pulling out of the country in the near future. Among the increasing number of signs pointing in that direction are warnings the Chinese government gave to Google’s Web partners that they must comply with Chinese law, even if Google does not. Also, Google reportedly has drawn up detailed plans to shut down its search engine operations there, with an insider saying it is “99.99 percent” certain it will pull out.

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Google Poised to Make Good on Its China Threat

Google and Dish Network reportedly are testing a service that allows television users to search for television programming and Web content from set-top boxes. Google software installed in the boxes allows users to create a personalized programming lineup, anonymous sources told The Wall Street Journal. It’s no secret that Google and Dish have been collaborating since 2007, when the companies entered into a partnership for Google to deliver ads to the satellite network’s audience and develop mechanisms to more accurately measure how they are viewed.

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Google Dabbling With TV Set-Top Search

The U.S. appears to be embarking on a new strategy for dealing with the restrictions China places on Internet companies, fueled in large part by Google’s recent dustup with the Chinese government over its censorship demands. The company testified before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee on Tuesday, urging the U.S. government to bring the censorship issue to the World Trade Organization for redress. The U.S. Trade Representative reportedly is seriously considering the possibility of characterizing Internet censorship as a trade barrier.

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Google Urges US to Take Censorship Brawl to WTO

Apple’s share prices have begun climbing back since Feb. 23, closing Tuesday at $208.85. It’s not yet quite clear why — it could be the imminent shipping of the iPod or the shareholders’ meeting Feb. 25, among other things. Still, investors should take what they can get. They’ll have to — Cupertino isn’t about to fork over any dividends soon. The company wants lots of cash on hand for security and so it can make big purchases without having to borrow lots of money, CEO Steve Jobs explained when asked about dividends.

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Of the China Market, Cheaper New iPhones and the iPad

A federal grand jury has indicted four owners and key employees of a company that prosecutors said for years illegally cornered the market on the best concert and sporting event seats. The 60-page indictment accuses the men of directing an international conspiracy to defeat security schemes at Ticketmaster, Tickets.com and other online ticketing sites. It claims the company controlled thousands of Internet and email addresses, telephone numbers, and credit card accounts to make it appear that thousands of individual consumers were buying seats.

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4 Wiseguys Indicted for Gobbling Up Choice Concert Tix