As this week's quarterly earnings clearly show, Microsoft sells tons of software worldwide. However, the tech giant would likely sell tons more were it not for the tireless work of counterfeiters. Bloomberg investigates how Microsoft is working to rid the world of these thieves, one disk at a time. "Microsoft employs 75 investigators, lawyers, and analysts -- many with experience in narcotics and Mafia cases -- in nine labs around the world," reports Bloomberg. "They're armed with maps that help pinpoint where suspect products are bought or seized by law enforcement, software that identifies digital fingerprints on …

A social news iPad app named Flipboard debuted this week to some serious buzz -- so much so that it partially disabled the startup's system. Now, however, Gizmodo and others are asking if the manner in which the app uses private publisher content is even legal. "Is Flipboard scraping content it doesn't have the rights to?" the tech blog asks. "Flipboard, the new iPad app that renders links from your Twitter feed and favorite sites in a beautiful, magazine-style layout, has a problem: it scrapes websites directly rather than using public RSS feeds, opening it to claims of copyright …

Jared Cohen, a member of the Secretary of State's Policy Planning Staff since late 2006, could be on his way to Google, sources tell BoomTown's Kara Swisher. Cohen, who Swisher calls "the State Department's social networking phenom," is reportedly eying a job at Google in a strategic policy role. Though it's not finalized, the deal is illustrative of what Swisher considers to be "the revolving doors between Washington, D.C. and Silicon Valley." Another example is Katie Jacobs Stanton, who worked for both Google and Yahoo, and recently left a job at the State Department to return to …

On the continued strength of Windows and Office, Microsoft posted record sales growth of 22% this past quarter, while revenue of $16.04 billion surpassed the $15.27 billion predicted by Wall Street analysts. Under the headline, "Microsoft: Not This Quarter, Apple" PC World wrote: This still puts it about $300 million ahead of Apple, so Cupertino's going to have to wait another quarter to edge Microsoft on the revenue front." "As far as Microsoft is concerned, the PC can die another day," wrote The New York Times. In other words, in a market …

Disney is very, very close to acquiring social gaming startup Playdom, reports TechCrunch, citing "oh, about seven independent sources, including sources close to Playdom." Based on due diligence documents reviewed by the blog, the two parties have reportedly referred to the deal as "Project Platinum" internally. Some sources have said the deal is signed and in the closing process. Others say it hasn't been signed yet and could still unravel. Disney is already an investor in Playdom: The media and entertainment titan's Steamboat Venture recently helped it raise $33 million. In total, Playdom has raised $76, and …

Remember that contract Google won nearly a year ago to supply "cloud-based" email and collaboration software to the City of Los Angeles? Right, well the search giant appears to have missed its June deadline for full implementation of the project. The reason? "Lingering security concerns," reports MarketWatch.com. "The delay is a setback for one of Google's most strategic businesses, and an illustration of troubles that large organizations can encounter as they shift to a so-called 'cloud computing' model, in which data and applications are stored and accessed online," it writes. More embarrassing still, Google beat out archrival …

Vying for better position in the mobile market, AOL's just bolstered its mobile platform with new applications for Android handsets and an HTML5 version of the AOL Mobile website for smartphones. Its mobile site -- http://m.aol.com -- now supports richer content and media on handset browsers supporting HTML5. "While it's not surprising that AOL is looking to support advanced devices such as smartphones, the selection of Android over iPhone for the new software title is notable," writes GigaOm. David Temkin, the new VP of Mobile for AOL, attributed the decision to "momentum." "Momentum is the …

Giving its mobile strategy a much-need boost, Microsoft plans to give new Windows 7 phones to its entire workforce. "Redmond told its workers (the official headcount comes in around 87,000 people worldwide) that each and every last one of 'em would soon be fondling their very own Windows 7 phone, which is set to officially launch in October," reports The Register. ZDNet's Microsoft-watcher Mary Jo Foley first tweeted the news on Wednesday. The move is clearly designed to get consumers and industry insider buzzing about Windows 7 phones, as well as spearhead their broader adoption. Early …

Even without the subscriptions soon to support her, the Gray Lady on Thursday credited strong digital dollars with helping to halt overall ad revenue declines. Reflecting prior-year gains, however, New York Times Co.'s profit still fell 18% in the second-quarter. As digital ad revenue was up an impressive 21%, it "picked up some slack and constituted more than a quarter of [the publishing company's] total ad revenue, which was flat for the period," reported The Wall Street Journal. As Editor & Publisher noted, "The New York Times Co. became the first big …

Recognizing its popularity among music- and music video-seeking consumers, YouTube on Thursday debuted a revamped music page. It's "part of a redesign that started with our shows and movies pages," according the video-sharing site, as it "showcases the most viewed music videos, special promotions, curated playlists, unsigned talent and gives you the ability to create on-the-fly mixes." And for good reason, notes The Next Web. "When you ask nearly anyone where they go on the Internet to listen to music, an overwhelming majority will say YouTube." YouTube has also launched new functions for finding new music, listening …