[Screenshots](http://elliottback.com/wp/archives/2005/07/09/longhorn-5203-screenshots/) of the soon to be released Longhorn beta are out. Looks like someone went a bit crazy with the transparency. Also shown is IE7 with the addressbar and tabs above the menu bar. I really hope those are all draggable so it can be fixed, but the way the transparent address bar is blending into the transparent window frame leaves me with doubts.

European Parliament Says No To Software Patents Yay! Software patents really do much more to stifle innovation and retard the development of usefull applications then they do to foster it, which is what patents are supposed to do. Now if only we can get soem changes on this side of the pond.

The SCOTUS has overruled the lower courts and [decided](http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20050627-5042.html?98471) 9-0 in favor of MGM in MGM vs. Grokster. I’m not 100% convinced this is a death blow to P2P as my initial reading leads me to believe this is a fairly limited decision. For example the decision says

> One who distributes a device with the object of promoting its use to infringe copyright, as shown by clear expression of other affimative steps taken to foster infringemnt, going beyond mere distribution with knowledge of third-party action is liable for the resulting acts of infringement by third parties using the device, regardless of the device’s lawful uses.

which is a pretty clear limitation. After all we all know how shutting down Napster killed P2P.