Tech Briefs

Microsoft Corp. continues to catch flak for choosing the Vista name for its upcoming operating system. The latest to object are The VistA Software Alliance and WorldVista, two non-profit groups that help hospitals, clinics and other health care organizations run the Department of Veteran Affairs' VistA software.

"The confusion created by Microsoft and its choice of the word 'Vista' is an affront to the people who take care of our nation's veterans," VistA Software Alliance Chairman Barbara Boykin said in a statement. "The VistA software enables these caring professionals to provide our veterans with some of the best health care in the nation. Microsoft is demeaning their passion and dedication to our veterans by expropriating the name Vista."

The two organizations said that Microsoft's choice of Vista could undermine the upcoming release of a new electronic medical records system called VistA-Office EHR. (Note: The product name was misstated in the original version of this article.)

Expedia posts revenue and profit gains

Expedia Inc. is expected to begin trading as a public company next Tuesday after IAC/InterActive Corp. completes the spinoff of the Bellevue online travel company. In anticipation of that move, Expedia reported second-quarter results yesterday, posting revenue of $550 million -- a 14 percent increase over the same three-month period last year. Net income for the quarter rose 51 percent to $73.4 million.

InfoSpace shareholder sues AOL

An InfoSpace shareholder is suing America Online Inc. for allegedly assisting former InfoSpace Chief Executive Naveen Jain in setting up "sham business arrangements" that led to the artificial inflation of revenue and earnings at the Bellevue company.

According to a suit filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle this week, AOL allegedly participated in short-swing trades of InfoSpace stock more than five years ago.

The suit, which was brought by Thomas Dreiling, asks for AOL to give up all profits from the alleged short-swing trades. It also asks for interest and attorneys' fees. In one stock sale on March 15, 2000, AOL received a profit of $41 million, according to the suit.

Game developer moves into Fisher Plaza

Fisher Plaza said yesterday that Big Fish Games Inc., a 40-person Seattle company and developer of online games, will move into the modern office building near downtown Seattle and the Space Needle. Big Fish Games will use 6,765 square feet of the building, a move that will boost the plaza's occupancy rate above 90 percent, according to Fisher Communications Inc., which owns the 296,000-square-foot plaza.

Snippets ...

Seattle-based Targeted Genetics Corp. said yesterday that it has received a federal patent for its adeno-associated virus vectors, which are vehicles that deliver drugs into cells and which the biotechnology company developed.

NATIONAL NEWS

Oracle to buy stake in Indian software firm

BANGALORE, India -- Business software maker Oracle Corp. said yesterday that it agreed to buy up to 61 percent of India's i-flex solutions Ltd., a banking software provider with customers in 115 countries, from Citigroup Venture Capital and public shareholders.

Oracle will acquire Citigroup Venture Capital International's 41 percent stake in i-flex, and then -- as required by Indian law -- Oracle expects to make an open offer today to buy an additional 20 percent of i-flex's outstanding shares.

Charter Communications narrows loss

ST. LOUIS -- Gains in high-speed Internet and telephone customers helped narrow the quarterly loss at cable TV company Charter Communications Inc.

The suburban St. Louis company, controlled by Microsoft Corp. co-founder Paul Allen, said yesterday that it lost $356 million, or $1.18 per share, in the three months ended June 30, compared with a loss of $416 million, or $1.39 per share, a year ago.

Technology Briefing is written by P-I reporters Todd Bishop, John Cook and Dan Richman. Send comments to johncook@seattlepi.com. This report includes information from The Associated Press and Bloomberg News.

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