links for 2008-04-18

• Google's clicks defy slowdownGoogle has defied predictions of doom by delivering a 31% surge in quarterly profits, appearing to vindicate its claim people will not stop searching the web while in a recession. Source: Guardian
• Scottish and Universal Newspapers rolls out regionals onlineS&UN has expanded its digital team of both journalists and ad sales staff to manage the new channel. Source: New Media Age
• Mobile market will decline, says NokiaNokia sent shivers through the technology industry yesterday as the company warned that the global mobile phone market is set to decline for the first time as the economic recession bites. Source: Guardian
• In the US, 58% of music isn't paid forMost music comes from friends or from peer-to-peer file-sharing, according to NPD Group research. Source: Guardian
• Blockbuster sued over Facebook ad featureA Texas woman has sued Blockbuster alleging the video rental company transmitted her personal information to Facebook.com through the site's Beacon marketing program. Source: Associated Press
• Open Season at Yahoo?According to several sources close to Yahoo, the company will outline in much more detail its open-platform strategy next week. Source: AllThingsD
• Secret merger talks between Technorati and b5media blow upBlog search engine Technorati was days away from merging with blog network b5media when the whole deal blew up earlier this week, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. Source: TechCrunch