FTC looks at Twitter: The Federal Trade Commission is reviewing Twitter's dealings with third-party application makers such as UberMedia, which said it has been contacted by the FTC for information. Over the past year, as Twitter looks to make money from advertising on its site, the microblogging service has been rolling out its own official applications, making it more difficult for other applications to compete. Twitter and the FTC declined to comment.
Amazon cuts off affiliates: Saying it won't force California customers to pay sales tax on their Internet purchases, Amazon.com is severing ties with 10,000 small businesses and individuals in the state who funnel shoppers to the online retailer through their websites. The action came hours after Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation that would have required Amazon to start collecting tax on online purchases Friday because it has affiliates in California. Amazon did not say whether it planned to close a California research lab and offices of other related entities that might make it liable to collect sales taxes.
Medicare covers Provenge: Medicare officials confirmed that the program will pay for Dendreon's prostate cancer drug Provenge, an innovative therapy that costs $93,000 and extends life about four months. The decision from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid repeats an earlier proposed ruling that the biotech drug. is a "reasonable and necessary" medicine. The agency will pay for the treatment only when it is used in accordance with the instructions on the label.
Polyclinic lease: Health-care provider The Polyclinic signed a lease it tentatively agreed to last November for all nine floors of the 7th & Madison building on Seattle's First Hill. The deal was contingent on getting city approval to convert the empty 2-year-old building from office to medical use, plus obtaining city permission to build a parking garage and lot nearby.
Borders sold: Borders Group said late Thursday it agreed to sell itself to private investment firm Najafi Cos. for $215 million and is seeking court approval for the agreement. Najafi, which owns the Book-of-the-Month Club, is making what is known as a "stalking horse" bid, which will open an auction for the company and its assets, so a higher bid is possible.
Compiled from the Los Angeles Times, The Associated Press and Seattle Times staff
CAPTION(S):
The Associated Press, 2005: A ruling on Eastman Kodak's patent claims against Apple and Research In Motion faces at least a two-month delay after a trade panel ordered a judge to take a second look at the patent in dispute. Kodak stock fell 14.8 percent in after-hours trading Thursday. (0417417140)
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