05/09/2007
DATA PROTECTION ACT 1998 - End of Transitional Arrangements

In October 2007 the regulations of the Data Protection Act will change.

Background:
The Data Protection Act was introduced in 1998 to give the public access to data held about them on organisations' files. It was introduced to help people see and understand the information which firms were using and holding about them. Through accessing this information the public has the opportunity to see if files are correct, relevant or incomplete and can advise the record holding organisation accordingly.

Currently, the DPA gives people the right to claim to view personal information held about themselves, whether it is on paper or held electronically. Requests must be made in writing to the company or individual who holds the data.

For any electronically held data, relating to updates after 1998, an organisation must supply all files within 40 days.

October 2007 Implications:
On 24th October 2007, the DPA will change, and firms will have to supply ALL data from 1998 onwards, not just that held on electronic files, within 40 days of the initial request.

New documents that will fall under the act include manual data - health records, local authority, housing and social services records for example as well as records on active files which has not been put onto an electronic system.

Firms that cannot provide their records to an enquirer within the 40 day period will be liable under the law, most probably with a fine. There is a legal right of recourse through the courts for the public to challenge organisations that are late with information and also to enforce changes to data to ensure it is accurate.

It is therefore more important than ever that firms and organisations have quick access to accurately stored and retrievable information.

October 2008 Implications:
There is one remaining period left for companies to be aware of. In October of 2008 the final exception from the Act, whereby records predating 1998, held in manual filing systems, will also fall under the Act's jurisdiction. These files will also need to be accessed and forwarded to the enquirer within 40 days.

For now, firms and organisations are strongly recommended to review their filing systems and ensure that their processes for data management and storage are rigorous and comply with the DPA changes.

For the full run down of the Data Protection Act visit the Government's Office of Public Sector Information website at: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1998/19980029.htm

To view the press release regarding this, that was featured within the Financial Times, please visit www.ft.com

28/08/2007
When e-money providers must verify identity – new guidance
The Joint Money Laundering Steering Group (JMLSG) has published draft amended guidance for electronic money. It covers products that are card-based as well as those that are entirely software-based.

The JMLSG is made up of the leading UK trade associations in the financial services industry. Its aim is to promulgate good practice in countering money laundering and to give practical assistance in interpreting the UK Money Laundering Regulations. This is primarily achieved by the publication of industry guidance.

The draft guidance on e-money will be included in Part II of the JMLSG's amended 2006 Guidance which contains supplementary sector-specific guidance.

The purpose of the guidance is to provide clarification to e-money issuers on verification of identity and other customer due diligence measures required by legislation.

The guidance can be used by all issuers of e-money, regardless of whether they are regulated by the Financial Services Authority or operate under a small e-money issuers' waiver.

Click here to read the entire article from  out-law.com.

02/07/2007
WEEE Regulations now in force in UK
Manufacturers, importers and retailers of domestic appliances, IT equipment and gadgets face new legal duties to ensure the proper disposal of old products. Key parts of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations came into force yesterday.

The legislation, derived from a European Directive, was intended to boost recycling instead of adding to landfill. Last year two million tonnes of electrical waste was generated in the UK alone, enough to fill the new Wembley Stadium six times over, according to the new Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR). The DBERR has taken over the responsibilities of the former Department for Trade and Industry (DTI).

The Regulations came into effect in January and their provisions have been phased in. The first important phase was a requirement on every company that manufactures, imports or re-brands electrical and electronic equipment (collectively known as 'producers') to join an approved producer compliance scheme by 15th March. Distributors such as retailers wanting to join a Distributor Take-back Scheme should have done so by that date. As of yesterday, producers have to finance the costs associated with the treatment, recovery and disposal of WEEE.

Click here to read the entire article from  out-law.com.

02/07/2006
Senior Technical/Project Engineer Joins M&M
Mr Paul Jeater has joined M&M Computing as senior technical engineer and project manager. Paul is a fully qualified Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE) and has a vast array of technical skills and experience and adds another valued resource to the M&M technical department. Paul will be involved in the technical management of our customers and will also be involved in implementing products and solutions.

21/06/2007
UK firm pays £250,000 for unlicensed software use
The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has reached its largest ever out-of-court settlement with a UK firm for the use of unlicensed Microsoft, Adobe and Autodesk software on hundreds of PCs.

The firm, which has not been named, is described only as being in the infrastructure and public services sector.

Sarah Coombes, legal director for EMEA at BSA said: "The size of the settlement is a reflection of the serious nature and scale of unlicensed software use at this company."

The BSA estimates that 27% of the software used by UK businesses is unlicensed, meaning that its use infringes copyright. The BSA says it is currently investigating a large number of companies for suspected software piracy.

31/05/2007
40% of kids regularly visit forbidden sites
Children under the age of 16 are regularly visiting websites that have been prohibited by their parents, divulge personal details to strangers and meet up with people they met online, according to research published today.

Online identity firm Garlik commissioned research among 500 children aged 8–15 and 500 parents across the UK. Its findings suggest that 40% of children regularly visit websites that are prohibited by their parents. Many divulge personal details without parental consent, including full name (30%), home address (12%), mobile number (20%), home telephone number (10%), school details (46%) and family photos (9%).

One in five children in Britain has met up with someone first encountered online and five percent do so on a regular basis. Only seven percent of parents are aware that their children are doing this.

Click here to read the entire article from  out-law.com.

20/04/2007
Users force Dell to resurrect XP
Responding to customer demand Dell has restarted selling new PCs with Windows XP installed on them.

The decision reverses a policy begun in January that meant Windows Vista was the only operating system available on almost all new home machines.

The change came after Dell's feedback site was swamped with calls for the return of the venerable software.

Now customers can opt for the Home or Professional version of XP on six models of Dell machines.

Click here to read the entire article from BBC technology news.

01/03/2007
Timetable published for Companies Act 2006
The Government is acting more slowly than expected in implementing the Companies Act, the piece of legislation that is completely overhauling the way companies are governed.

Only a few parts of the Act are currently in force, and the remaining elements have been scheduled to become law in three stages between now and October 2008.

"I think there was an expectation that they were going to rush things through, all the good news deregulatory stuff so that they could say 'look how much we are doing for you guys'," said Martin Webster, a corporate partner at Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind OUT-LAW. "It is clear that that's not what has happened, though. A lot has been held back."

Click here to read the entire article from out-law.com.

20/02/2007
VICTORY!
The Federation Against Software Theft (The Federation) has warmly welcomed the announcement made by trade and Industry Minister Malcolm Wicks, that from April 6th new powers under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act will now be at the disposal of Trading Standards.

Speaking at the Intellectual Property (IP) Crime Group in London the Minister confirmed that Section 107A of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988 will come into force with £5 million of new funding. This was a key recommendation of the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property and has been a key focus of The Federation’s lobbying activity for many years.

Trade and Industry Minister Malcolm Wicks, stated: “From 6 April there’ll be an additional 4,500 pairs of Trading Standards eyes watching counterfeiters and pirates. This may mean more surprise raids at markets and boot sales, more intelligence, more prosecutions and more criminals locked up. IP criminals should know that the UK is not a safe place. Their risk of ten years’ imprisonment and unlimited fines is very real and from this date forward a markedly higher risk.”

Click here to read the entire article from fast.org.uk.

18/01/2007
NEW Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations
The new WEEE regulations came into force on 2 January 2007 after extended consultations. Under the WEEE regulations, any electrical equipment will no longer be simply disposed of, but recycled with all the Hazardous components removed.

The timetable of the implementation is that Producers have to join a compliance scheme by 15 March 2007. Producers have to mark electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) by 1 April 2007.

Full responsibility for treating and recycling household WEEE begins on 1 July 2007.

M&M will be sending out an advisory communication shortly with full details of business obligations and company policy for the disposal and recycling of electronic equipment.

02/01/2007
Microsoft has started the roll-out of its new operating system, Windows Vista
Windows Vista, which at first is being made available to business customers only. The system, a replacement for the firm's current Windows XP operating system, will not be available to home consumers until the end of January.

Windows Vista introduces a host of changes to improve the security, reliability and general user experience compared with previous Windows releases. Vista has many improvements such as enhanced search and new user privilege level controls making it a viable upgrade from XP pro.

M&M has commenced the lengthy process of evaluating how Vista will work with our customers current applications.

20/12/2006
Companies to update websites and email footers before 2007
Companies in the UK must include certain regulatory information on their websites and in their email footers before 1st January 2007 or they will breach the Companies Act and risk a fine.

Every company should list its company registration number, place of registration and registered office address on its website as a result of an update to the legislation of 1985. The information, which must be in legible characters, should also appear on order forms and in emails. Such information is already required on 'business letters' but the duty is being extended to websites, order forms and electronic documents.

Click here to read the entire article from out-law.com.

31/07/2006
InVu Series 6 Released
InVu are pleased to announce the release of the .NET version of the Invu product, Series 6, which is the latest generation of Invu‘s core document management suite. Series 6 gives increased flexibility, power and ease of deployment.

28/06/2006
New website launched
M&M Computing have launched their new website. The old M&M website has been re-designed and now offers new functionality and information over and above the old website. One major new benefit to our existing customers is the new employee starter form which streamlines the process of setting up a employee on the system.

12/06/2006
Senior Technical Engineer Joins M&M
Mr Chris Swain has joined M&M Computing as senior technical engineer. Chris has a vast array of technical skills and experience and adds another valued resource to the M&M technical department. Chris will be involved in the day to day support and management of our customers and will also be involved in implementing products and solutions.

© 2006 M&M Computing Services Ltd.