Earlier today, the U.S. government shut down Megaupload.com, one of the largest and longest running cyberlockers in the business.
Its founders and a handful of employees have been arrested, as well, and charged with copyright infringement.
The indictment and arrests come just one day after major websites including Wikipedia and Google staged anti-SOPA “blackouts.” SOPA was created to fight piracy, but has seen massive criticism due to its ability to shut down sites with very little appeal time, at the behest of media companies or other content owners.
Megaupload and its owners are accused of taking over $500 million from copyright holders due to piracy, and cashing in on $175 million in profits from ads and premium subscriptions.
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Google is actively looking to begin an unlimited streaming subscription service, one that will rival Netflix and Amazon, and may launch it first in the UK.
The search giant has been in talks with the major studios for months but may begin in Europe first where there is much less competition.
Netflix does not currently offer services in Europe but Amazon, following their purchase of LoveFilm last month, has a strong foothold.
For now, Google has put aside $100 million for content deals with the studios.
The NYPost says the plan is being lead by executive Robert Kyncl, who left Netflix last September.
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Although unconfirmed, multiple sources are reporting that Apple will launch its Mac app store next week, on December 13th.
The Mac app store will give third-party developers a chance to create low-cost apps for Mac users, basically becoming a desktop version of the iOS App Store.
One source says “Apple is targeting a Monday, December 13 launch of the Mac App Store,” although CEO Steve Jobs has reportedly pushed for an earlier launch date.
Other sources claim Apple will use this month to launch iOS 4.3, which will bring the addition of subscription-billing APIs, and “The Daily,” a cheap, iPad-only newspaper created in conjunction with News Corp.
iOS 4.3 should also bring an update to AirPlay.
