links for 2008-04-04

• Microsoft and Yahoo met this weekSenior executives met discuss Microsoft's proposal to acquire Yahoo but failed to resolve any of their differences. Source: Wall Street Journal
• Google to allow trademark biddingAdvertisers, search agencies and affiliate specialists will find margins on campaigns squeezed for traditionally high-revenue generating, low-cost branded keywords. Source: New Media Age
• Former Vanity Fair editor to launch siteBankrolled by Barry Diller's IAC Corp, former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown is to launch her own news site. Source: Reuters
• Craigslist launches official blogPreviously founder Craig Newmark would get the word out via his personal blog, but now Craigslist has its own voice. Source: TechCrunch
• Craigslist is worth $5bnConservative revenue and operating profit multiples indicate the business is worth $5bn. Source: Silicon Alley Insider
• Seesmic acquires TwhirlThe video site has acquired Twhirl which allows users to access the Twitterservice directly from their desktop, and also cross post to other services like Pownce and Jaiku. Source: Jaiku
• Mobile industry takes aim at the iPhoneTouch screens, mobile web and multimedia devices are dominating discussion at CTIA Wireless 2008. Source: New York Times
• Free is killing new digital businessIn today's 'free' world, it is inherently impossible to start a small, self-sustaining business and to grow it because advertising cannot support it. Source: Silicon Alley Insider
• Something important is on the horizon in the music businessWeb music services are the new radio stations. A VC
• News Corp to reorganise its internet divisionsFox Interactive Media could fall short of its 2008 revenue target of $1bn, and is restructing the business to better exploit the online advertising market. Source: New York Times
• Paedophiles face curbs on internet useThe home secretary will today outline plans to increase protection for children surfing the web, including new jail terms for convicted paedophiles who use social networking websites. Source: Guardian
• Internet provider fires shot across bows of music industry on piracyTalkTalk has flatly rejected demands from the music and film industries that it should "police" the internet and cut off some broadband customers in an attempt to stem the flood of illegal file-sharing. Source: Guardian