Sam Gustin | Time

This Is How the Patent Trolls and Trial Lawyers Won

For over a year, intellectual property reform advocates and their allies in Congress have been trying to advance legislation designed to crack down on so-called patent trolls, which are firms that don't build products, but...

By Sam Gustin May 24, 2014

How the NSA Tapped AT&T's Network

The NSA and AT&T refuse to discuss exactly what was going on in now-legendary Room 641A at 611 Folsom Street.

By Sam Gustin May 20, 2014

Critics Are Mercilessly Slamming the AT&T-DirecTV Deal

Public interest groups argue that none of the proposed mega-deals will benefit consumers

By Sam Gustin May 19, 2014

Apple and Google Call a Truce in Patent Wars

After years of legal wrangling over intellectual property, Apple and Google have agreed to dismiss all current patent disputes between the two companies, marking an extraordinary de-escalation of the patent wars between the Silicon Valley tech giants

By Sam Gustin May 16, 2014

Hedge Fund Manager Sentenced for Insider Trading

Michael Steinberg was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison for insider trading on Friday. His prosecution was part of a decade-long federal investigation into former hedge fund giant SAC Capital and its billionaire founder Steven A. Cohen

By Sam Gustin May 16, 2014

8 Things You Need to Know About Net Neutrality

As the Open Internet debate intensifies, here's a guide to the FCC, net neutrality, and what's at stake for the future of the Internet

By Sam Gustin May 16, 2014

The Future of the Internet Up for a Vote

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler is caught between net neutrality advocates and industry giants ahead of today's vote on his 'Open Internet' proposal, which could allow broadband providers to create "fast lanes," as both sides warn the web's future hangs in the balance

By Sam Gustin May 15, 2014

AT&T's Aims for $50 Billion Merger With DirecTV

AT&T wants DirecTV but the proposed $50 billion telecom deal, which would be the largest in years and reshape the television business at a time of rapid change in the industry, would pose headaches for regulators already mulling a Comcast merger with Time Warner Cable

By Sam Gustin May 13, 2014

FCC Chairman's Net-Neutrality Plan In Chaos

Tom Wheeler appears to have misjudged public opinion and fellow commissioners as a campaign is mounted to urge him to adapt his proposal on allowing broadband providers to strike special deals with web giants for preferential treatment in the "last mile" to consumers

By Sam Gustin May 12, 2014

Apple May Buy Beats In Its Biggest-Ever Acquisition

The era of digital downloads is coming to an end and Apple is still without its own streaming music product. That's why it looks poised to buy Beats for $3.2 billion, which would be its biggest acquisition ever

By Sam Gustin May 9, 2014

Tech Titans: Save the Internet

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler faces mounting opposition to his proposed net neutrality rules as more than 100 Internet companies sent a letter expressing alarm over the direction laid out ahead of next week's vote and imploring regulators to protect the web's openness

By Sam Gustin May 7, 2014

Tech Stocks Continue Freefall

As some of the most high-flying technology stocks continue their dramatic declines, one Wall Street analyst calls it a "reality check" for investors

By Sam Gustin May 7, 2014

Alibaba Could Make Out Like Thieves With IPO Debut

Last year, the Chinese e-commerce business that is part-owned by Yahoo handled $248 billion in transactions, more than Amazon and eBay combined. The company's IPO could be the largest in tech history

By Sam Gustin May 6, 2014

NYC Wants to Turn Pay Phones Into Wi-Fi Hot Spots

Mayor Bill de Blasio has called for proposals to morph the phone booths into Wi-Fi hot spots and would blanket the five boroughs with free access, ramping up a pilot program begun by his predecessor. If successful, the effort could be a blueprint for other cities

By Sam Gustin May 1, 2014

AT&T Mulls $40 Billion Merger With DirecTV

AT&T would love to own DirecTV's satellite-TV business. DirecTV wants to bolster its broadband position. The talks were reportedly prompted by Comcast's intention to buy Time Warner Cable, which already faces intense scrutiny from the Justice Department

By Sam Gustin May 1, 2014

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler Pledges Open Internet in Face of Criticism

Wheeler, a former cable and wireless industry lobbyist, strongly disputed the notion that his proposed Internet rules would imperil "net neutrality"

By Sam Gustin April 30, 2014

Netflix, Verizon Reach Deal

Paid-peering deals, which happen at interconnection points around the U.S., are not considered to be a "Net neutrality" issue by the FCC

By Sam Gustin April 28, 2014

Comcast's Big Plan to Win Merger Approval

The nation's largest broadband company will sell a large number of users to Charter and swap others with its smaller rival as it looks to secure regulatory approval of its $45 million bid to buy Time Warner Cable

By Sam Gustin April 28, 2014

Open-Internet Advocates Cry Foul on Planned Rules

Internet service providers could strike special deals with Internet companies like Netflix or Skype for preferential treatment, under proposals by Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler, violating the ideal of equal access for all consumers

By Sam Gustin April 23, 2014

Apple Soars iPhone Sales

Apple sold 43.7 million iPhones, substantially more than the 37.7 million that Wall Street analysts had been expecting

By Sam Gustin April 23, 2014

This Is AT&T's Plan to Smother Google Fiber

AT&T says it wants to explore ways to offer gigabit broadband service to 21 U.S. cities -- in a direct challenge to Google Fiber -- but some skeptics aren't buying it

By Sam Gustin April 22, 2014

The Aereo Supreme Court Case Is About to Change TV Forever

Television streaming company Aereo went up against the nation's largest broadcasters on Tuesday as the Supreme Court heard arguments about whether the service is legal. The court's decision could have major consequences for the future of TV and Internet services

By Sam Gustin April 22, 2014

The Hot War Between Netflix and Comcast Is Escalating

Netflix and Comcast are wrangling over whether their controversial interconnection pact should be covered by U.S. net neutrality rules

By Sam Gustin April 22, 2014

It's Time to Get Bullish on Netflix

A new survey of web users' entertainment habits finds Netflix has surpassed YouTube as the top online video site, but as the company issues its first-quarter earnings, analysts are eager to see how much its original content is helping to bring in more subscribers

By Sam Gustin April 21, 2014

Barry Diller Blasts Obama for Backing TV Broadcasters

The billionaire says the Obama Administration is aligning itself "against competition, choice and the consumer" by supporting TV broadcasters aiming to kill Aereo

By Sam Gustin April 18, 2014

This Is What's Really Powering Google's Ambitious, Long-Shot Projects

Tech stocks have declined lately, but Google's core business remains strong as the company powers ahead with futuristic "moonshots" from wearable devices to robots and drones

By Sam Gustin April 16, 2014

Netflix Runs Lightning Fast After Comcast Deal

Newly released data shows Comcast's web subscribers are seeing faster connections while streaming video on Netflix after a deal between the tech giants boosted the connection speed by an average 65 percent between January and March

By Sam Gustin April 15, 2014

SAC Capital Plea Deal Ends Long Wall Street Saga

Federal prosecutors called the settlement a "day of reckoning" for a hedge fund "riddled with criminal conduct," but SAC founder Steven A. Cohen is likely to avoid prosecution

By Sam Gustin April 11, 2014

AT&T Aims to Beat Google Fiber in Gigabit Broadband Race

North Carolina has become the latest battleground in the competition to bring gigabit Internet speeds to consumers

By Sam Gustin April 10, 2014

Critics Call Comcast's Time Warner Cable Deal 'Unthinkable'

Federal regulators must now determine whether the proposed $45 billion merger would stifle competition or harm the public interest

By Sam Gustin April 9, 2014

Comcast Faces the Senate

Comcast's executive vice president testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday to defend a $45 billion merger with Time Warner Cable

By Sam Gustin April 9, 2014

Ride-Sharing Firm Lyft Raises $250 Million, Eyes NYC Expansion

Lyft is facing resistance from entrenched transportation interests in cities around the country

By Sam Gustin April 2, 2014

Comcast Exec: Time Warner Cable Deal Is Great for Consumers

Comcast's policy chief David Cohen says he hasn't heard any "rational, knowledgeable voices" objecting to the $45 billion merger

By Sam Gustin April 1, 2014

Google Is the Real Target in Apple's Samsung Battle

Apple and Samsung are jumpstarting their multibillion-dollar legal war over patents on Monday, with each accusing the other of blatantly copying design features, but Apple is really going after Google's Android mobile operating system

By Sam Gustin March 31, 2014

Obama Dials It Down

The White House is set to propose major changes to the NSA's oft-criticized bulk collection of data from millions of Americans' phone calls, in the Obama administration's most significant response yet to outrage over domestic surveillance

By Sam Gustin March 25, 2014

Netflix vs. Comcast 'Net Neutrality' Spat Erupts After Traffic Deal

Netflix and Comcast are battling over whether "paid peering" deals should be considered a net neutrality issue. The FCC will soon decide

By Sam Gustin March 20, 2014

Tesla's War With the States Shifts Into Overdrive

The electric car maker run by PayPal billionaire Elon Musk is fighting powerful auto interests in states across the U.S. for the right to sell its cars directly to consumers, upending the traditional dealership model

By Sam Gustin March 19, 2014

25 States Scrutinize Time Warner-Comcast Deal

More than two dozen state governments are working with the Justice Department to make sure Comcast's $45 billion offer to snatch up Time Warner Cable doesn't violate antitrust laws, as critics warn of increasing media consolidation

By Sam Gustin March 19, 2014

The Internet Is About to Take Its Next Giant Evolutionary Leap

The U.S. has long planned to give up its unique role as steward of the Internet's domain name system, but it's unclear what kind of entity will replace it

By Sam Gustin March 17, 2014

Tesla CEO Blasts N.J. Over Auto Sales Ban

The state's motor vehicle commission blocked Tesla's ability to sell electric cars through its own retailers, so Tesla CEO Elon Musk is urging buyers to visit the company's locations in New York City and Philadelphia

By Sam Gustin March 14, 2014

IBM: We Haven't Given the NSA Any Client Data

Big Blue calls for a "robust debate on surveillance reforms" and says "governments must act to restore trust." It's the latest tech company to try to distance itself from the controversial spying program

By Sam Gustin March 14, 2014

Amazon's Prime Price Hike Is Actually Crazy Brilliant

Amazon raised its Prime membership to $99 in a move that could boost the company's bottom line by hundreds of millions

By Sam Gustin March 14, 2014

Netflix Gets Faster for Comcast Customers After Deal

Comcast broadband subscribers are already seeing a notable boost in their Netflix performance just two weeks after the companies struck a deal to directly connect their networks in a move that got mixed reception among technology advocacy watchdog groups

By Sam Gustin March 10, 2014

Disney, Dish Strike Deal Settling DVR Spat

Disney, parent company of ABC and ESPN, has signed a major content distribution deal with Dish Network giving Dish customers access to myriad Disney content on their televisions and Internet devices while also ending a suit over Dish's ad-skipping DVR feature

By Sam Gustin March 3, 2014

Aereo Boss Says He's 'Confident' Ahead of Supreme Court Battle

Aereo CEO Chet Kanojia discusses his closely watched legal battle with TV broadcasters

By Sam Gustin March 3, 2014

Comcast's Traffic Pact With Netflix Is Shrouded in Secrecy

Public-interest groups are concerned about broadband giants charging Internet companies for access to consumers

By Sam Gustin February 23, 2014

Google Is Making a Major Play to Provide Your Internet

Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh-Durham, San Antonio, Salt Lake City, and San Jose are on Google's list

By Sam Gustin February 19, 2014

Here's Why Your Netflix Is Slowing Down

Financial disputes over peering are threatening the video service

By Sam Gustin February 19, 2014

Apple's Top Dealmaker Met With Tesla CEO, Report Says

The San Francisco Chronicle suggests that Apple was "very much interested" in buying the electric-car pioneer

By Sam Gustin February 17, 2014

Tom Perkins Says the Rich Should Get More Votes in Elections

Famed investor Tom Perkins also said he believes only taxpayers should be able to vote

By Sam Gustin February 14, 2014