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Business and Finance Today

Federal Court Limits Patents

A federal appeals court ruled that pure software or business method patents that are neither tied to a specific machine nor change something into a different state cannot be patented, possibly invalidating a great number of existing patents. (Techdirt)

Bank of Japan Cuts Key Rate, Nikkei Plunges

The Bank of Japan lowered its key interest rate to 0.3% Friday, down from an already record low 0.5%, to help stave off a prolonged recession. The Nikkei 225 index plunged 5% after three of the eight board members dissented in favor of a larger cut. (Bloomberg)

Treasury Halts Negotiations With Detroit Automakers

The U.S. Treasury is reportedly no longer negotiating with Detroit automakers about a possible capital infusion via its $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program, complicating prospects for a tie-up between struggling General Motors and Chrysler. (Detroit Free Press)

Sprint Disconnects Cogent, May Slow Web

Cogent Communications, the worldwide broadband provider, claims Sprint severed the connection between their networks. Cogent alleges that Sprint is in “violation of a contractual obligation" to allow "peering." (GigaOM)

Politics Today

Drudge’s Influence Waning. Developing…

The Drudge Report's influence has peaked and is on the wane, according to several pundits who note the decline in Drudge's ability to set the agenda. Huffington Post and Politico at times get more traffic. (TPM)

Deregulation Flurry Will Bind Next President

The Bush administration will lower dozens of environmental regulations in his lame-duck months and make the controversial rules difficult for a new administration to reverse. In 2001, Bush officials withdrew 254 Clinton regulations before they could take effect. (Washington Post)

Afghan War Deterioriating, McCain and Obama Advisers Briefed

Senior Bush administration officials briefed campaign advisers to John McCain and Barack Obama two weeks ago, on the grim news that the situation in Afghanistan is getting worse and a plan must be in place before January's Inaugural. (NYT)

Obama Infomercial Drew Record 33M Viewers

The impact on TV ratings of Sen. Barack Obama's 30-minute infomercial is manifest: 33.5 million viewers watched the ad, far more than the 19.8 million who stayed up to watch the last World Series game. The Obamathon pushed up ratings on all the stations that aired it (network and cable). The only loser? ABC, who did not. (NYT)