Virgin likely to lose 800 customers by colluding with BPI over file-sharing
Thousands of UK broadband users who share music tracks illegally may receive letters warning them of the consequences. Music trade body the BPI claims to have already identified and contacted about 800 Virgin Media customers who have been sharing copyrighted material (this despite it being impossible to tell what files are being shared). Virgin has agreed to send the letters to those customers, informing them that what they are doing is illegal.
The sour joke that is Disability Living Allowance
I’ve had a letter rejecting me for all components of Disability Living Allowance. I now have to go back to see the nice chap at the Citizens Advice Bureau, and lodge an appeal. Again, the premise outlined in the letter seems to be that you only get it if you have no arms, no legs, cannot feed yourself, clothe yourself, or anything else. Not having a head is also helpful. People in comas on life support can’t apply, so I guess this approach saves a lot of money that can be better spent on blowing up Iraqi civilians.
Starbucks sees decline in US, but when will it happen in the UK?
Starbucks Corporation is to close 600 company-operated US stores in the next year, a considerable hike from its previous plan for 100 closures. It’s a potent indicator of just how screwed the US economy is, but we can only wonder how long it will be before the company starts shutting up shop around the world, particularly in Britain, where many alcoholic drinks in pubs cost far less than Starbucks-branded concoctions.
