Struggling with its online initiatives in the face of the Google onslaught, Microsoft is in talks to pick up a 5% stake in social networking site Facebook at the same time that Google is also considering investing in Facebook, according to the Wall Street Journal (subscription required).

If it goes through, the Microsoft investment could be in the range of $300 million-$500 million and value Facebook at about $10 billion, a huge valuation for a start-up that’s expected to report revenues of just $150 million this year.

Reporting on the preliminary discussions between Microsoft and Facebook, the Journal said:

Microsoft’s approach to Facebook in recent weeks with proposals to invest in the fast-growing site is part of the software giant’s effort to catch up with the Internet rival Google. If successful, Microsoft’s talks with Facebook could give it an up-to-5% stake in the closely-held startup — a stake potentially valued at roughly $300 million to $500 million.

Founded by Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook has attracted funding of $40.7 million from a bunch of marquee investors including Founders Fund, Accel Partners and Greylock Partners.

Under an existing relationship, Microsoft currently serves display ads on Facebook’s web site that’s supposedly used by some 40 million people.

India won the Twenty20 World Cup final beating arch enemy Pakistan by five runs in a nail-biting finish this evening in the South African city of Johannesburg.

Batting first, India ended up with a modest 157 for five wickets.

The highlight of India’s batting was Gautam Gambhir’s fine 75 scored off 54 balls with eight boundaries and two magnificent sixes.

Although Pakistan had a Continue Reading…

EXCLUSIVE

Indian beauty queen and Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai is in the final stages of obtaining a U.S. trademark for her name from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Most likely, Aishwarya Rai will be the first Bollywood star to get the coveted USPTO trademark.

Getting the Aishwarya Rai trademark from the USPTO is important as the actress steps up her involvement in Hollywood films.

The USPTO trademark will also deter others from profiting on the Aishwarya Rai name online or offline and make it easier for the actress to take legal action against alleged infringers.

Recently married to Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai is considered one of the world’s most beautiful women although her acting talents can only charitably be described as pathetic. But in fairness to Aishwarya Rai, most Bollywood actors including her father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan, husband Abhishek Bachchan and current superstar Shahrukh Khan merely go through the motions of acting.

Aishwarya Rai, or Ash, as she is popularly known in India, is obtaining the trademark from the USPTO in two broad categories - advertising and entertainment services (personal appearance by a celebrity fashion model).

Aishwarya Rai applied for the Service Mark (to use the correct term) on March 28, 2006.

Aishwarya Rai’s application was published for opposition in February this year and notice of allowance mailed in May after receiving no oppositions.

The Serial Number of Aishwarya Rai’s trademark application with the USPTO is 76657645.

Last month, the USPTO completed processing the Statement of Use application, which was filed by Aishwarya Rai’s agents electronically in July.

The next steps in the lengthy USPTO registration process are Continue Reading…