Microsoft has now launched a "cashback" service on its Windows Live search service that would see users getting discounts for products they buy using the search engine.

This is the latest attempt to get some market share, being behind Google and Yahoo. Windows Live Search is the successor of MSN Search, which Microsoft spun off with the other MSN services to create online and offline apps to extend the Windows OS.

Those who want the discount will need to sign up for a special cashback account to participate, and the rebates will be issued after 60 days to make sure the products are not returned. The service, however, works only in the US.

It has partnered with some 700 retailers; including some big names like eBay, Barnes & Noble, Sears and Home Depot.

It is also considering a "cashback" scheme for its Live Search Farecast, a service that predicts the airfare.

Complaints from the internet service provider industry over the short time frame of the new Australian national broadband network tender have now seen an extension to the deadline today.

The announcement has said that "parties participating in the National Broadband Network process will have 12 weeks to consider network information from the date all material is made available."

"Telstra has provided some network information however despite its best efforts some information is not yet available. The provision of network information is vital to allow potential proponents to build the network to compete on an equal basis."

Microsoft has announced that it will be adding new formats to its Office 2007 software, starting with the next service pack, Service Pack 2 - due in the first half of 2009.

The new formats includes the Portable Document Format (PDF), XML Paper Specification (XPS) and its OOXML rival Open Document Format (ODF). This is not the first time since Microsoft worked with ODF, releasing a converter for Word users in late 2006. A converter is also in the works for older versions of Office, including 2000, XP and 2003.

As well, the company produced an add-on for users to save documents in PDF and XPS. Both OOXML and ODF formats are both ISO standards.

Apple and the broadcaster CBS have been sued by a company claiming trademark infringement over the word “Mighty Mouse”.

The company, Man & Machines, have said that it produces a waterproof and chemical-resistant mouse called the “Mighty Mouse” before Apple released its “Mighty Mouse”, which was an improvement to the original Mac Mouse.

As well, they have sued CBS as they did not have the rights to license them to Apple, even though they owned a mouse character, also called “Mighty Mouse” - a 1940s character. They claim that they could not license it to Apple because its trademark does not extend to goods.