$1.3bn Oracle-SAP verdict overturned

A federal judge yesterday threw out a “grossly excessive” $1.3 billion verdict that Oracle won against SAP in a landmark intellectual property case, possibly setting the stage for another circus-like showdown between the two technology companies, reports the Associated Press.

The decision was a surprising twist in a four-year-old case that's been filled with them. There will be a new trial if Oracle formally rejects a lower $272 million award, which it has indicated it will do.

While yesterday's ruling was a victory for SAP AG, it's not necessarily as much of a setback for Oracle, which stands to humiliate SAP again even if it can't secure the higher award.

Apple has come under blistering criticism after Chinese environmentalists accused Cupertino's Chinese partners of discharging toxic metals when manufacturing iPhones, iPads, and other must-have products, says The Register.

In a 46-page report issued on Wednesday, the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs in Beijing says it documented illegal pollution coming from dozens of suspected Apple suppliers throughout China, according to news reports.

The suppliers frequently fail to properly dispose of hazardous waste, it claimed.

A splinter group of hacker collective Anonymous is turning attention away from corporations and governments and towards the beautiful people, writes Cnet.

According to multiple reports, the Hollywood Leaks team has revealed its intent to target celebrities in film, TV, and music - evidently, folks like Miley Cyrus, Tom Cruise, and rapper Kreayshawn have already been hit.

The hackers are looking for dirt, such as nude photos, embarrassing e-mails or memos, scripts under wraps, etc. In general, Hollywood Leaks wants to leave a trail of showbiz carnage in its wake.

Consumers who dislike wearing 3D glasses in the home have something to look forward to from Toshiba, notes Digital Trends.

The television manufacturer has developed a way to get rid of those bulky, expensive glasses. Discussed in a presentation at the IFA show in Berlin, Toshiba is diving headfirst in glasses-free technology with a 55-inch flat-panel high-definition television.

The Toshiba 55LZ2 doesn't require any glasses to view images in 3D and sends separate images into each eye using a technology called “lenticular lenslets”.