VA Linux is launching a Japanese subsidiary, says ZDNet, to help jump-start the adoption of open source in Japan. (Full disclosure: VA Linux owns NewsForge.)

EPIC, an Internet privacy group, is pursuing its litigation against the FBI over the FBI’s Carnivore email snooping software. CNet reports.

CNet tells of the US Government voting down legislation to create a privacy commission.

IDG is reporting that Philips Electronics has filed suit against six electronics companies for patent infringment.

NW Fusion reports on the digital signatures law in the US taking effect.

ICANN’s elections started with a bit of a bump, according to InfoWorld.

ZDNet tells of the latest attempts to have new top-level domains (.com, .org, etc) created.

Linux PR tells of AMIRIX’s expanding Embedded Linux development team.

From PR Newswire: Mainsoft, the e-porting company,
today announced the general availability of Visual MainWin, the first
application porting platform allowing developers — with no UNIX expertise
— to write on Windows and port simultaneously to UNIX.

Linux World offers advice on how to find an Open Source project you like: “As it turns out, open source software is such a good idea that it doesn’t always have to be done
for free. Several projects already are pioneering innovations to bring together organizations that
want open source software developed and the programmers who can deliver. That comparison
describes the different matchmakers now in operation. Which ones provide real services? Which
are likely to still be in business in 2001 and beyond? Once you’ve read this article, you can judge
for yourself how each one might help meet your open source goals.”