Microsoft partners with China firm on cloud-computing

BEIJING (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp will develop and market cloud-computing products in China with a Chinese partner, a pattern that the software giant could use as a model in other emerging markets, an executive said on Tuesday. Microsoft and China Standard Software Co Ltd (CS2C), a provider of operating systems and office products, will develop and sell cloud-computing solutions primarily to large enterprise clients such as online retailers, banks and government ministries, said Sandy Gupta, general manager of Open Source Solutions Group at Microsoft.

Redemption clock for eHarmony is ticking

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Two of eHarmony Inc's main backers stand to gain extra leverage over the online-dating company in early November when redemption rights from its last financing round kick in -- an unusual development in the venture capital business. The rights come into play after November 5 for Technology Crossover Ventures and Sequoia Capital, which invested when eHarmony raised $110 million in 2004.

MP3tunes wins end to part of EMI copyright case

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal judge on Monday narrowed a lawsuit by EMI Group Ltd and 14 record companies and music publishers that accused MP3tunes LLC of letting users copy their songs without permission. U.S. District Judge William Pauley in Manhattan said MP3tunes and its chief executive, Michael Robertson, did not violate the federal Digital Millennium Copyright Act in permitting downloads, except as to songs specifically identified as having been pirated.

Malware targeting Android devices jumped in Q2: McAfee

(Reuters) - U.S. computer security software maker McAfee said the number of malware targeted at Android devices jumped 76 percent since last quarter, making Android the most attacked mobile operating system. "This year we have seen record breaking numbers of malware, especially on mobile devices, where the uptick is in direct correlation to popularity," Vincent Weafer, senior vice president of McAfee Labs, said in a statement.

Some of WikiLeaks' Bank of America data destroyed

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Some internal Bank of America files obtained by WikiLeaks have been destroyed, according to a former close collaborator of Julian Assange, the whistleblowing website's founder. In an email to Reuters, Daniel Domscheit-Berg, who last year was fired by Assange as WikiLeaks' co-spokesman, confirmed that he had destroyed "roundabout" 3,000 submissions WikiLeaks received related to Bank of America.

Skype confirms pact to buy GroupMe

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Skype said on Sunday it agreed to acquire GroupMe, a New York-based start-up that provides mobile group messaging services. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

S&P upgrades Google stock days after "sell" view

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Recommendations to unload Google Inc stock are extremely rare on Wall Street. But the latest "sell" rating for the Internet company was so fleeting it existed for just three trading days. Standard & Poor's upgraded Google's stock on Monday, giving it a "hold" rating, reversing its much-debated downgrade the prior week.

Groupon's Mason to tie the knot right after planned IPO

NEW YORK (Reuters) - This fall is shaping up to be one to remember for Groupon Chief Executive Andrew Mason. The co-founder of the online coupons empire is planning to make his company public. He is also planning to tie the knot with "dream-pop" musician Jenny Gillespie, who has several albums out, including one on which Mason plays accordion.

Cyber squatter foiling Winehouse charity plan

LONDON (Reuters) - Amy Winehouse's father Mitch said his plans to set up a charity in his late daughter's name had been frustrated by a cyber squatter who had stolen the organization's intended address on the internet. Mitch, a former taxi driver who launched his own musical career on the back of Amy Winehouse's success, plans to set up a foundation to help young people suffering from substance abuse, and has already received donations from the public.

Analysis: HP - Dial "M" for mayhem

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Leo Apotheker's credibility as a CEO is falling along with Hewlett-Packard's stock price. Apotheker, who gained a reputation for sharp business acumen when he headed up SAP, thoroughly flummoxed HP shareholders last week with what some analysts have called a "value destroying" $11.7 billion deal to buy British software maker Autonomy and for sticking a for-sale sign on HP's PC division -- thus scaring off clients for the year or so it will take to decide on the division's future.