The IEEE could vote as early as Jan. 18 on the long- awaited 802.11n Wi-Fi standard. If, during its week-long meeting in Hawaii, the IEEE adopts the standard, unanimously endorsed by an ad hoc industry body, initial pre-certification 802.11n products could reach store shelves by mid-2006. To adopt a standard, the IEEE must vote it out with 75% approval.

The IEEE could vote as early as Jan. 18 on the long- awaited 802.11n Wi-Fi standard. If, during its week-long meeting in Hawaii, the IEEE adopts the standard, unanimously endorsed by an ad hoc industry body, initial pre-certification 802.11n products could reach store shelves by mid-2006. To adopt a standard, the IEEE must vote it out with 75% approval.

Norwegian telecom operator Telenor said it sold half its holdings in Inmarsat for Pounds 75.1 million. Post- sale, Telenor will own 4.6% of Inmarsat, which Telenor said in a financial statement it must keep until Inmarsat publishes preliminary results for 2005 or 120 days into 2006.

The IEEE could vote as early as Jan. 18 on the long- awaited 802.11n Wi-Fi standard. If, during its week-long meeting in Hawaii, the IEEE adopts the standard, unanimously endorsed by an ad hoc industry body, initial pre-certification 802.11n products could reach store shelves by mid-2006. To adopt a standard, the IEEE must vote it out with 75% approval.

The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued its preliminary results of the following antidumping (AD) and countervailing (CV) duty administrative reviews:

Predicting the company will lose $1-$1.5 million in 2006, Audible CEO Don Katz nonetheless offered several reasons for optimism this year, including new partnerships, reduced churn and positive feedback from new tiered offerings. A late launch to its revamped website and higher than expected marketing and operating expenses pushed down the firm’s 2005 financials, Audible said in releasing preliminary results. It expects $62-$64 million revenue in 2006, down from $62-$65 million in prior guidance, which also predicted net income of $1.6-$2 million. But Katz, speaking to a Citigroup investor conference late Tues., reassured investors that the firm was solid in its core subscription market and didn’t expect a challenge from Apple, which offers its downloads a la carte.

The top-selling PC game in the U.S. during the week ended Dec. 31 was The Sims 2 from Electronic Arts (EA), according to NPD Group data. The game was #5 one week earlier. Microsoft’s Age of Empires III dropped from the top spot to #2… The best-selling game in Europe for the week ended Jan. 7 was again EA’s Need for Speed Most Wanted, according to the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Assn. Chart Track data. The game was also again the top-rented videogame in the U.S., according to Rentrak’s preliminary Home Video Essentials data for the week ended Jan. 8… Tecmo’s Dead or Alive 4 for Xbox 360 was the #1-rented videogame for GameFly in the week ended Jan. 9. It was #4 last week.

The International Trade Administration (ITA) has initiated an antidumping (AD) duty changed circumstances review of the AD duty order on certain forged stainless steel flanges from India, to determine whether Hilton Metal Forgings, Ltd. is the successor-in-interest to Hilton Forge.

On the heels of its U.S. court-approved settlement, Sony BMG was sued in Canadian courts over its copy- protection technologies involving spyware. A suit in Ontario Superior Court of Justice seeks $50 million in general damages and $50 million in special damages on a nationwide basis. A suit in the Supreme Court of British Columbia makes the same claims but doesn’t specify damages. The suits claim violations of Canada’s Competition Act and Personal Information & Electronic Documents Act, a more stringent privacy statute than U.S. federal law has. Both ask for “punitive, aggravated, and exemplary damages” for each class member, and 2% interest before and after judgment until payment of any award.

On the heels of its U.S. court-approved settlement, Sony BMG was sued in Canadian courts over its copy- protection technologies involving spyware. A suit in Ontario Superior Court of Justice seeks $50 million in general damages and $50 million in special damages on a nationwide basis. A suit in the Supreme Court of British Columbia makes the same claims but doesn’t specify damages.