Tuesday, January 5, 2010Cybersitter Sues China Over Stolen 'Green Dam' Source CodeSanta Barbara-based internet filtering software provider Cybersitter said today that it has filed a $2.2 billion, software piracy suit against China, two Chinese software firms, and seven computer manufacturers, over misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair competition, copyright infringement and conspiracy. The lawsuit, filed in the federal court in Los Angeles, is a result of revelations in June that China's controverial "Green Dam" Internet filtering and censorship program included a signifi (More info...)
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Intuit Rolls Out iPhone Tax SoftwareIntuit, the developer of the popular TurboTax tax filing software, said Tuesday that it has rolled out a new, iPhone application which will allow users to file simple tax returns. According to Intuit, its new SnapTax software uses image recognition and optical character recognition to allow users to file simple tax returns using their iPhone camera. The new software--which is expected to cost $9.99 to download from the App Store--lets taxpayers answer a number of questions, and then snap a photo (More info...)
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GaiKai Gets $5M In FundingAliso Viejo-based Gaikai, a startup developing technology to play computer games online in a web browser, has raised $5.0M in a funding round, according to a regulatory filing by the firm Tuesday. Source of the new funding was announced, however, the firm now lists Mitch Lasky, former founder of JAMDAT, and now a General Partner at Benchmark Capital, on its board of directors.
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LeisureLink Powers Snowcreek ResortPasadena-based LeisureLink, a provider of travel distribution software for specialty lodging suppliers, said today that it has been powering lodging for Snowcreek Resort, in Mammoth Mountain. The firm did not disclosed details of the win, but said that it is helping to increase the visibility of the resort in distribution channels. LeisureLink's online platform is used to gain bookings for the vacation rental and specialty lodging market.
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DEMO Skips SoCal, Heads NorthDEMO, the technology company launch conference which has traditionally been held in Palm Springs or the San Diego area, is moving its conference to the San Francisco Bay Area, new executive producer Matt Marshall announced today. According to Marshall, who is replacing Chris Shipley in running the event, the move is the first time that the technology launch event has been held in the SF Bay Area. DEMO has been held outside of the Bay Area for its entire history. Marshall said that the conference (More info...)
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Belkin Names Reynoso CEOCompton-based Belkin International, which makes electronics accessories and cables, said Tuesday that it has promoted President Mark Reynoso to the additional position of CEO. Reynoso replaces Chet Pipkin, the firm's current CEO, who remains Chairman of the board. Reynoso has been at Belkin since 1996.
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EON Reality Installs In CanadaIrvine-based EON Reality, a developer of 3D software simulation environments, disclosed today that the firm has installed one of its virtual reality systems in Canada. The firm said that it has installed its products at the Visual Psychophysics and Perception Laboratory at the University of Montreal. Financial impact of the win was not disclosed. The firm said the new system will be used for virtual training and rehabilitation related to athletic performance.
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Dot Hill Buys Cloverleaf CommunicationsCarlsbad-based Dot Hill Systems, a manufacturer of external RAID storage devices, said today that it is in a definitive purchase agreement to buy Cloverleaf Communications, a software firm developing storage virtualization and storage management products. The deal is worth $2.5M in cash plus approximately $9.5M shares of its common stock. Cloverleaf has headquarters in New York, with research and development in Israel. Dot Hill said the buy would broaden its reach into storage virtualization, da (More info...)
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loanDepot.com Gets Private Equity BackingIrvine-based loanDepot.com said today that it has launched an online, mortgage marketplace with backing from private equity firm Parthenon Capital Partners. The firm did not disclose financial details behind the deal, which was brokered by Milestone Capital. loanDepot.com is headed by Anthony Hsieh, who founded E*TRADE Mortgage and LendingTree Loans. According to loanDepot.com, the new site will help consumers to research real estate loans, providing education, loan processing, up-to-date mortga (More info...)
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Demand Media's eHow Rolls Android AppSanta Moncia-based eHow.com, the how-to site run by Demand Media, said this morning it has rolled out a new Android mobile phone application. According to ehow, the new software allows users to search for, retrieve, and play back instructional videos and articles on the site. The firm said the new Android app is free to download in the Android Market.
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Local.com Buys Web Hosting CustomersIrvine-based Local.com, which operates a local search site and network, announced today that it has acquired 22,000 web hosting subscribers from LaRoss Partners, in a deal worth approximately $2.6M in cash. Local.com said those web hosting customers pay approximately $35 per month for web hosting services, provided by a third party. As part of the deal, Local.com said it also has the option to buy another 10,000 web hosting subscribers during the first quarter of 2010.
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VMIX Boosts Exec TeamSan Diego-based VMIX, which provides online video management tools for web publishers, said today that it has hired on four new executives to its Business Development team. The firm said it has hired on Kate Dixon, Charles white, Scott O'Donnell, and Alan De Leon to the firm as part of a plan for expansion. Dixon was most recently at Origin Digital, White at PermissionTV/VisibleGains, O'Donnell at CDN, and De Leon at Gen2Media. The firm said the hires were directly due to its recent, October $2M (More info...)
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