At first glance, it may look like a real online store, but DesignsFauxReal.com is actually a counterfeit site mocking Web sites that sell counterfeit merchandise.

It's the latest reaction to a booming black market industry that has faked out real brands for years on street corners of big cities around the world and has now moved online. Just last week, the seizure of 1,500 counterfeit Chinese-made Hermes purses was announced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The fakes would have been worth as much as $14 million had they been sold at full price.Continue reading...

Unable to find a fit with a partner in an industry where technology has outstripped its traditional role, NYSE Euronext — headquartered in Wall Street's New York Stock Exchange building — has agreed to an $8.2-billion acquisition by an Atlanta-based commodity-trading outfit, InterContinental Exchange (ICE).

The deal would create a derivatives giant, as Reuters noted. It also gives a 12-year-old startup control of the most iconic symbol of U.S. capitalism, with a two-century history of serving as the very hub of company-building. While the exchange still features traders squawking in bright-colored jackets to make orders, digital technology and the rise of private trading venues have made it less and less relevant.

NYSE, which refreshed its branding earlier this year, handles only about 20 percent of equities traded in the United States on a given day, an expert told the U.K.'s Guardian, down from a peak of 60 percent to 70 percent.Continue reading...

Thanks to the rising smartphone dominance of Android and the iPhone, Research Into Motion needs to hit a home run with its BlackBerry 10 release on January 30 so it’s no surprise that the hype for the product is starting to build now in the midst of the holiday-shopping frenzy.

One piece of good news for RIM: the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency has signed on to pilot BlackBerry 10 devices and the supporting BlackBerry Enterprise service in January, after saying it planned to dump BlackBerry in favor of the iPhone.

As leaked photos go viral ahead of its official reveal on January 30, BlackBerry has been releasing sneak peeks at the new smartphone (tagline: "Re-designed. Re-engineered. Re-invented") at BlackBerry10.com, including sparking interest in the BB10's Hub (above) to manage conversations.Continue reading...

AT&T caps customers' broadband usage; plans Groupon competitor.

Audi plans extra shifts to trim waiting time for SUVs.

Chrysler head Marchionne details impact of Japan crisis on output.

Community Health raises hostile bid for Tenet.

Consumer Reports teams with Billshrink to offer service-comparison tools.

Diet Pepsi ads fared best during Royal Wedding telecasts as viewers mostly ignored commercials.Continue reading...

Richard Branson plan to save the ring-tailed lemurs meets with some skepticism by scientists and environmentalists.

DirecTV's premium video-on-demand service ($29.99 for 48 hours) will launch Thursday, bringing movies to living rooms in about two months.

Disney Channel loses another star as Demi Lovato quits Sonny With a Chance.

IBM beats estimates and raises profit forecast as workers seek to organize global union.

Intel beats Wall Street forecasts, while Samsung boosts chip market share to close in on Intel.Continue reading...

Nikkei slips as another earthquake hit Japan Sunday, as Tepco head pressured to quit after costing shareholders $26 billion; fear of radiation and shortages drives panic buying of Japanese goods; auto industry suffers as Toyota, Honda and others stand to lose billions in revenue; and Wal-Mart reopens 12 quake-hit stores.

Google to launch in-app billing for Android; woos celebs to create themed channels on YouTube; and works on mobile payments as near field communications battle looms. CEO Larry Page, meanwhile, is working on cutting red tape and fostering internal communications.

BlackBerry-maker RIM is in "slow-motion decline," says WSJ, while acquires mobile tool developer.

Facebook is reportedly in talks to hire former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs; and updates Questions in boost for brands.Continue reading...