DMCA and Instant Messaging Patent

A couple of interesting developments in the IP space today:

1. Russian Company Acquitted of Digital Piracy. In the first test of digital piracy law, a jury acquitted a Russian company accused of selling software that allowed users to circumvent security features in an electronic book. By Matt Richtel. [New York Times: Technology]
2. Patent creates IM wrinkle. America Online quietly secures a patent that could potentially shake up the competitive landscape for instant messaging software. [CNET News.com]