10 July 2012: Job ads fall and ACTA treaty back to the drawing board

Australian newspaper and internet job ads fell for third month in a row. Newspaper and internet ads decreased 2.6% in May, and another 1.2% in June. Newspaper adds dropped 3.3%, internet ads dropped 1.1%. Attributed to a “mild softening” in labour demand, potential concern over global economy, and pressure on profitability. (ANZ Group’s monthly job ads index)  [CR: When I see decreases or increases such as this, I have to ask whether this is a “decrease” or a “correction”. We pass value judgments on increase and decrease as “good” and “bad”, when in reality a continuous increase of job ads would appear untenable and be incredibly painful for anyone looking to hire or maintain staff.] (Jacob Greber)

China city of Wenzhou mandates corporate expenses: The Wenzhou city Commission for Discipline Inspection imposed a limit of $9.28 per person on work-related meals.  Banned abalone, sharkfin, sea cucumber, high-end and imported alcohol, and premium cigarettes on expenses. China’s national government to ban shark fin at government functions within 3 years.  Chinese officials spent 200 billion yuan on meals in 2004. [CR: Two thoughts: 1) We see the invisible hand of the market at work for environmental outcomes. Increase cost, stop the undesirable behaviour.  2) I cannot imagine a governemnt body in Australia called the “Commission for Discipline Inspection”.  That is just so non-politically correct.] (Yidi Zhao)
NAB online sales index for May showed online spending grew by 14% year on year, compared to 41% for same month in 2011. Brick and mortar retail grew by 0.2% in the same period.  Multi-channel retailers (those offering both online and store-front) are generating up to 30% of their monthly sales through their online stores. [CR: The story is not that online is decreasing, but that the tipping point has passed and we are seeing the innovation normalise and prepare for the next leap, which will be whatever follows mobile.] (Mercedes Ruehl)

ACTA treaty on terminal pause: Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is a multinational treaty designed to stop illegal downloads and sale of fake luxury goods and medication. On July 4, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly against ACTA.  Treaty being reviewed in Australia by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, recommended delaying final ratification. A minimum of six countries required to enforce the treaty. Current position is that a new treaty may be negotiated, citing lack of transparency in negotiations as the reason for the failure. [CR: Free downloads now almost seen as a “right”, be interesting to see the reaction when they finally do crack down.] (David Ramli)  

CBA mobile stats: In June, 46% of online interactions were through mobile devices.  Kaching mobile solution opened up to allow merchants who bank with other institutions to receive payments. (Brian Corrigan)

Nokia engineers say they have developed a filter system to stop 80% of accidental touches on the smartphone. New Scientist research shows that about 1500 out of 4000 touches are unintentional mistakes. [CR: I will admit to a few unintentional tweets.]

US Judge Richard Posner calls into question the validity of using software patents, in June threw out the case Apple was bringing against Motorola Mobility.  Said “It’s not clear that we really need patents in most industries. You just have this proliferation of patents, and its a problem.” [CR: A question I am asked from start-ups, “should we patent?”This issue with patents is that it is not an assessment of who came up with the idea first, but which digital corporate has the biggest legal pockets. The patent process then becomes a tool to squash competition.]

Google Android data: Of all devices that accessed Google’s App store in the two-week ending last Monday, 10.9% were running the current operating system, Ice Cream Sandwich released eight months ago. 64% of devices run previous operating system Gingerbread, released in December 2010. [CR: Mmmm... fragmented deserts.]

Analysts are saying Blackberry may be up for shareholder lawsuits if there is indication RIM has misled investors.  RIM shares dropped 95% from peak mid-2008, posted a $518 million quarterly loss. BlackBerry 10 delayed, to be launched “later this year”. [CR: The risk of optimism.]