Since the 'Google Books Initiative' inception in 2002, 12 million books have been scanned, with an estimated eight million of those still protected by copyright. It intends to make these books available to readers as a downloadable PDF. The main issues of concern to parties opposing the project, is whether it should be able to gain an 'unfair' advantage by taking control of books that are referred to as 'orphan works', a term applied to works which are still protected by copyright, but where the copyright holder cannot be located. 24 May 2010
The Lighthouse Mall in Umhlanga Rocks was purchased for R88 million by a private company represented by the Willemse family of Newcastle. The sale was concluded by private treaty through by Billy Latham, broker at JHI Properties in collaboration with Hein Hattingh, MD of Auction Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal. 24 May 2010
As Rift Valley Fever (RVF) spreads further into the Eastern Cape, the National Wool Growers' Association - based in Port Elizabeth, the country's wool sales capital - is fighting a high-level battle to steady its R800-million-a-year export industry. 21 May 2010
Eastern Cape saw its biggest auctions when two shopping centres, several residential properties and a vacant development site went under the Auction Alliance hammer earlier this month. 21 May 2010
Nestle South Africa on Thursday, 20 May 2010, announced the voluntary recall of its Alta Rica, Cap Colombie and Espresso soluble coffee range. 21 May 2010
Stefanie Payendee, a 27-year-old from Johannesburg, has won the 2010 Elle New Talent Make-Up Artist Search. The competition was held in partnership with international make-up brand, Max Factor, and the winner was selected at the glitzy final event, which took place at The Runway in Cape Town on the Thursday, 13 May 2010. 21 May 2010
Seven South African food products have made it through to the finals of the 2010 International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) Global Food Industry Awards. The awards, held for the first time in 2008, take place every two years and recognise exceptional products. 21 May 2010
SAS, one of the leaders in business analytics software and services, began implementing Size Profiling software in March 2010, which will assist the US-based Charming Shoppes, parent company of plus-size women's apparel retailers Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherine's and Lane Bryant outlet brands, enhance its ability to help customers find clothes that fit. The group anticipates seeing benefit from the software as early as autumn 2010. 21 May 2010
Currently available in 43 countries and one of the biggest South African wine brands in Canada and Australia, Obikwa wines have launched two new single varietal wines in the home market. 21 May 2010
East Rand Mall launched its new social responsibility initiative, Balela (to shine) yesterday 20 May 2010. The mall will choose one organisation each year and support that beneficiary in every way it can, so it is appealing to the local community to come forward with proposals. 21 May 2010
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) on Wednesday, 19 May 2010, listed a sweet sorghum derivative contract complementing the exchange's existing range of agricultural derivatives. 20 May 2010
Furniture retailer Lewis Group said on Wednesday, 19 May 2010, that a more aggressive store expansion programme would see 40 to 45 new stores opened in the year ahead. 20 May 2010
The Switzerland-based Institute of Management Development (IMD) has produced the World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) 2010, published by with information provided through South Africa's Productivity SA, an organisation tasked with improving productivity in the country . Recognised internationally as one of the leading surveys of competitiveness between nations, the WCY ranking is an annual report on the competitiveness of selected countries. 20 May 2010
Nederburg in Paarl recently hosted a lunch for the beneficiaries of the 35th annual Nederburg Charity Auction. The proceeds from the event, which raised close to R210 000 for the Nederburg Charity Trust, was shared equally amongst the Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa, the Organ Donor Foundation and an AIDS-HIV-support NGO, Mothers2Mothers. 20 May 2010
The Decanter Award results, announced Tuesday, 18 May 2010, at the London International Wine fair saw South Africa gain nine trophies, 15 gold, 62 silver, and over 170 bronze medals. 20 May 2010
SAP Quality Awards, announced at its Sapphire event in Frankfurt, on 17-19 May 2010 have awarded Engen Petroleum, the African energy group, a silver in the new business application category for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). 20 May 2010
Standard Bank's mimoney has signed up three more online retailers - Take2, Simplicity.co.za and Luxury4Less. Launched in December 2009, its retail partners include Kalahari.net, Ster-Kinekor, eXactMobile, Mr Delivery, MXit, wireless, incredibytes, eDreams, mitime, eXactMusic and NetFlorist. 20 May 2010
Retail trade sales for March 2010 grew by 1% compared to March 2009, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said on Wednesday, 19 May 2010. 19 May 2010
Chief finance controller Bakar Jakoet has been appointed as Pick n Pay's CFO-designate to take over from Dennis Cope when he retires at the end of April 2011, the retailer said today, 19 May 2010. It was also announced that current company secretary Gary Lea has been appointed retail finance director on the Pick n Pay Retail Management Board. 19 May 2010
The recently published Banking Ombudsman 2009 Report shows individual banks in SA are improving their record in dealing with and resolving customer complaints internally, before they reach the stage of going to the Banking Ombudsman. 19 May 2010
Let's do Biz