A digest of the top business and technology stories from the past week including Paul Allen’s lawsuit against Apple, Google and Facebook, E-net’s financial results and iGAP 2.
Microsoft co-founder Allen sues Google, Facebook and Apple
The billionaire co-founder of Microsoft Paul Allen has begun patent litigation against Google, Apple and nine other technology companies on the basis they are alleged to be using technology used by his now defunct Interval Research Corp.
Allen founded Interval during the dot.com boom with US$100m of his own money.
He is now suing Google, Facebook, Apple, eBay, AOL, Netflix, Office Depot, OfficeMax, Staples Inc and YouTube.
Allen’s suit via Interval Licensing LLC relates to four alleged violations of technology considered to be a key component of these companies, including the ability for an e-commerce site to offer suggestions to consumers based on content they are viewing or the online activities of others.
E-net posts full-year profits of €1.7m
The company responsible for administering phase 1 and phase 2 of Ireland’s Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) towns has reported a 49pc increase in revenues over the past year.
The company posted turnover of €13.9m for the year, completing its sixth consecutive year of double-digit revenue growth.
Revenue is up from €9.3m in the previous financial year and signals full year revenue growth of 49pc, defying a 10pc decline in the overall national telecoms market.
E-net has now delivered a compound annual growth rate in revenue of 87pc over the past five years.
The company has also posted its first full year profit of €1.7m after tax, compared to a loss of €0.9m in the previous year.
“E-net’s performance in 2009/10 reflects a return on our long term investment in an open-access network,” E-net’s CEO Conall Henry said.
Last call for iGAP 2 internet start-up accelerator
The second phase of the successful Internet Growth Acceleration Programme (iGAP) is due to commence in October and interested start-up firms have until 6 September to register their interest in taking part.
iGAP was developed in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and a number of seasoned internet entrepreneurs including Ray Nolan of Worky.com, Dylan Collins of Jolt Online and Colm Lyon of Realex Payments.
The programme endeavours to fast-track emerging Irish internet software and cloud companies and achieve rapid growth.
The programme design is specifically geared to add significant strategic and business value to companies in both B2B and B2C markets with practical learning modules, support from implementation coaches, access to business advisers and industry networking.
Origina to create 10 new jobs
Dublin-based technology company Origina is set to create 10 new jobs as it invests €1.1m in developing a cloud computing service, according to a report in the Irish Times.
It’s understood that part of the funding will be used for collaborative research to design the new offering, which will provide ‘infrastructure as a service’. The company will be recruiting experienced technologists and PhD graduates to work on its development.
Origina will seek up to €2m in additional external funding over the next year for further infrastructure investments and to move into export markets, including the UK.
Origina currently employs 40 permanent and contract staff at its Sandyford base.
