Latest news with #VDP
Kuwait Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Gulf Bank launches Bug Bounty and Vulnerability Disclosure Program
Program as part of bank's long-term cybersecurity commitment KUWAIT: As part of Gulf Bank of Kuwait long-term vision to enhance cybersecurity and in line with its strong commitment to protect its customers' data and digital systems from potential threats and hackers, Gulf Bank has officially launched its Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP) and Bug Bounty program. This program seeks to involve the cybersecurity community, comprising experts, specialists, and ethical hackers in assisting the Bank in identifying and resolving vulnerabilities that may affect its systems and services. The objective is to allow the Bank to address the vulnerabilities or issue before they can be exploited by unauthorized individuals. Gulf Bank believes that collaborating with the global cyber researcher community is one of the most powerful tools for creating a secure, reliable digital platform and supports the march towards a more secure ecosystem. As this program is part of the Bank's ongoing strategy to adopt the latest technological solutions in cybersecurity. The program also reflects the Bank's commitment to transparency and openness to specialized expertise. Speaking about the launch event, Ross McNaughton, Chief Information Security Officer at Gulf Bank said: 'The launch of the Bug Bounty and Disclosure program represents the next step towards enhancing the security of the products and services offered by the Bank. It contributes to the early detection and effective resolution of vulnerabilities, issue, error or technical glitch, thereby improving digital protection and increasing customer trust. The program also provides a rapid response mechanism for security risks and serves as a technical platform to support innovation, trial new services and build an active, collaborative cybersecurity community. He added: 'The success of this program will enhance customer confidence in the Bank's digital services and reflects our ongoing commitment to lead in protecting our customers data, swift and continual innovation and development in cybersecurity. It also adopts leading global practices with Cybersecurity community engagement, helping the Bank support cybersecurity advancement in Kuwait and across the region.' Gulf Bank launch an open invitation to all cybersecurity professionals, researcher and enthusiast 'hackers' to participate in its Vulnerability Disclosure Program and Bug Bounty program. Any individual with the knowledge and skills to analyze and identify security weaknesses, hack or hacking, is eligible to be part of this professional initiative. McNaughton concluded by saying: 'If you believe you have discovered a security vulnerability or feature that could impact the Bank's systems or services, we encourage you to report it immediately through the official channel and you may be eligible for a financial reward. The rewards' value will be determined by the Bank's specialized team based on the severity of the reported issue.
Business Wire
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Access Advance Welcomes Global Technology Leaders as Licensees and Licensors to New Video Distribution Patent Pool
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Access Advance LLC ("Advance") today announced the inaugural roster of licensees and licensors for its Video Distribution Patent ("VDP") Pool, marking a significant milestone in the program's rapid market adoption since its January announcement. The participation of major global companies heavily involved in video codec technology demonstrates strong industry support for the comprehensive licensing solution covering HEVC, VVC, VP9, and AV1 codecs. The licensees' participation provides immediate access to the wide-ranging patent portfolio while benefiting from the fixed tiered pricing structure designed to scale with business size. The VDP Pool has successfully attracted a group of licensees/licensors including ByteDance, Kuaishou, NTT Docomo, and Tencent. This represents the beginning of what Access Advance expects to be widespread adoption among content streaming providers seeking simplified codec licensing. The licensees' participation provides immediate access to the wide-ranging patent portfolio while benefiting from the fixed tiered pricing structure designed to scale with business size. "We're pleased to welcome ByteDance, Kuaishou, NTT Docomo and Tencent as our first VDP Pool licensees/licensors. Their commitment to the VDP program demonstrates the practical value of our one-stop-shop approach and the fact that the VDP program has successfully struck a balance between patent owners and implementers," said Peter Moller, CEO of Access Advance. "This milestone shows that the VDP Pool is delivering on its promise to provide simplicity and predictability for online video distributors, allowing them to focus on innovation and content delivery rather than complex patent negotiations." The VDP Pool has also confirmed a large group of licensors representing a strong and substantial portfolio of standard essential patents for video codecs, positioning the pool to provide extensive intellectual property coverage for video streaming services. This initial group of patent owners includes the following internationally recognized technology leaders whose innovations are fundamental to modern video streaming infrastructure: BlackBerry Limited ByteDance Dolby International AB Dolby Laboratories, Inc. Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute Ewha University-Industry Collaboration Foundation Hangzhou Boyun Technology Co., Ltd. HFI Innovation Inc. Hyundai Motor Company IBEX PT Holdings IDEAHUB Inc. Intellectual Discovery Co., Ltd. JVCKENWOOD Corporation Kia Corporation Koninklijke Philips N.V. KT Corporation Kuaishou Technology Kwangwoon University, Industry-Academic Collaboration Foundation LX Semicon Co., Ltd Mitsubishi Electric Corporation NEC Corporation NTT DOCOMO, Inc. OP Solutions, LLC SK Telecom Co., Ltd. Tencent America LLC University-Industry Cooperation Foundation of Korea Aerospace University University-Industry Cooperation Group of Kyung Hee University V-Nova Limited XRIS Corporation Additional Licensor to be disclosed shortly Additional Licensor to be disclosed shortly "The strong participation from major industry players and patent holders validates our approach and demonstrates that the VDP program is the preferred solution to the market's need for a unified licensing solution that balances the interest of patent owners and implementers," Moller added. "These licensors bring not only essential patent portfolios but also the credibility and scale necessary to make the VDP Pool the preferred licensing destination for streaming video providers globally." The announcement comes as the industry increasingly seeks to license video codec patents directly to content streaming providers, who have benefited significantly from the use of patented, efficient video codecs. Access Advance's approach aims to provide broad access to patented technology while promoting continued innovation in video codec technologies. Access Advance is in the process of finalizing agreements with several more licensors and licensees. More announcements will be made in the coming days and weeks. In addition, the VDP Pool rate structure has been posted to the Access Advance website ( The company encourages all internet video distributors and patent owners to learn more about the program, including available incentives and discounts, by contacting us at licensing@ About Access Advance: Access Advance LLC is an independent licensing administrator company formed to lead the development, administration, and management of patent pools for licensing essential patents of the most important video codec technologies. Access Advance provides a transparent and efficient licensing mechanism for both patent owners and patent implementers. Access Advance manages and administers the HEVC Advance Patent Pool for licensing over 25,500 patents essential to H.265/HEVC technology and the VVC Advance Patent Pool for licensing essential patents to VVC/H.266 technology. The company's Multi-Codec Bridging Agreement provides eligible licensees with a single discounted royalty rate structure for licensees participating in both the HEVC Advance and VVC Advance pools. In addition, Access Advance offers the VDP Pool, a comprehensive licensing solution for video streaming services covering HEVC, VVC, VP9, and AV1 codecs. For more information, please visit:
Business Wire
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Access Advance 欢迎全球技术领导者加入成为新视频分发专利池的许可方和被许可方
波士顿--(BUSINESS WIRE)--(美国商业资讯)-- Access Advance LLC （'Advance'） 今天宣布其视频分发专利 （'VDP'） 池的首批许可方和被许可方的名单，这是该专利池自今年 1 月宣布推出以来迅速获得市场认可的一个重要里程碑。这些在视频编解码技术领域占有重要地位的大型跨国公司的参与，表明了业界对涵盖 HEVC、VVC、VP9 和 AV1 编解码器的全面许可解决方案的强力支持。 VDP 专利池已成功吸引了包括NTT Docomo、快手科技、腾讯和字节跳动在内的许可方/被许可方。通过为流媒体服务商提供他们所寻求的更简单的编解码技术许可方案，Access Advance期望其VDP专利池将得到广泛采纳，这些许可方和被许可方的加入，标志着这一历程已经开始。被许可方参与VDP专利池，能够即时获得一个覆盖广泛的专利组合的许可，同时受益于根据业务规模调整的固定分级定价结构。 '我们很高兴地欢迎NTT Docomo、快手科技、腾讯和字节跳动成为我们的许可方/被许可方。他们加入 VDP专利池是对我们一站式许可的实际价值的见证，同时也证明了VDP专利池成功地在专利权人和实施人之间取得平衡'Access Advance 首席执行官 Peter Moller 说。'这一里程碑表明，VDP专利池正在履行其承诺，为流媒体服务商提供简便和可预测的许可方案，使他们能够专注于创新和内容交付，而不是复杂的专利谈判。 VDP 专利池还宣布了首批许可方，这些许可方代表着强大且丰富的视频编解码器标准必要专利组合，使得VDP专利池能够为流媒体服务商提供广泛的知识产权覆盖。首批许可方包括以下国际知名的技术领袖，他们的创新对现代视频流媒体的基础设施至关重要： BlackBerry Limited ByteDance Dolby International AB Dolby Laboratories, Inc. Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute Ewha University-Industry Collaboration Foundation Hangzhou Boyun Technology Co., Ltd. HFI Innovation Inc. Hyundai Motor Company IBEX PT Holdings IDEAHUB Inc. Intellectual Discovery Co., Ltd. JVCKENWOOD Corporation Kia Corporation Koninklijke Philips N.V. KT Corporation Kuaishou Technology Kwangwoon University, Industry-Academic Collaboration Foundation LX Semicon Co., Ltd Mitsubishi Electric Corporation NEC Corporation NTT Docomo, Inc. OP Solutions, LLC SK Telecom Co., Ltd. Tencent America LLC University-Industry Cooperation Foundation of Korea Aerospace University University-Industry Cooperation Group of Kyung Hee University V-Nova Limited XRIS Corporation Additional licensor to be disclosed shortly Additional licensor to be disclosed shortly '这些在业内占有重要地位的公司和专利权人的积极参与是对我们的理念的认可，也表明VDP专利池为市场提供了一个优选方案，满足了市场对平衡专利权人和实施人利益的统一许可解决方案的需求，'Moller补充说。'这些许可方不仅带来了必要的专利组合，还带来了必要的可信度和规模，使VDP池成为全球流媒体服务商的优选许可方案。 Access Advance宣布首批许可方和被许可方，适逢业界在日益寻求向流媒体服务商直接许可视频编解码专利，而这些服务商已从使用被专利覆盖的高效视频编解码器中获益匪浅。Access Advance 的方案旨在更大范围地普及专利技术的使用，同时促进视频编解码技术的持续创新。 Access Advance 正在与更多许可方和被许可方商讨最终协议。未来几天和几周将发布更多公告。此外，VDP 专利池的费率结构已发布到 Access Advance VDP 网站（ licensing@ 联系我们，了解有关该计划的更多信息，包括可用的激励和折扣。 关于 Access Advance： Access Advance LLC 是一家独立的许可管理公司，旨在领导专利池的开发和管理，以许可最重要的基于标准的视频编解码器技术的基本专利。Access Advance 为专利所有者和专利实施者提供了透明、高效的许可机制。 Access Advance 管理 HEVC Advance 专利池，用于许可 H.265/HEVC 技术必需的 25500 多项专利，以及 VVC Advance 专利池，用于许可 VVC/H.266 技术必需的专利。公司的多编解码器桥接协议为参与 HEVC Advance 和 VVC Advance 池的被许可方提供单一版税费率结构。此外，Access Advance 还提供 VDP 池，这是一个全面的视频流服务许可解决方案，涵盖 HEVC、VVC、VP9 和 AV1 编解码器。如需了解更多信息，请访问： 。
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Time of India
Rohingya couple & 5 minors detained
Silchar: A Rohingya couple and five minors were detained near Hilara railway station in Cachar district on Saturday evening for allegedly attempting to enter Bangladesh illegally. After their "suspicious behaviour" raised alarm, locals and VDP members in the Katigorah constituency apprehended the group. According to reports, the group hired an autorickshaw from Hilara railway station with the intention of travelling to Kalain. However, their inconsistent behaviour and inability to clearly specify their destination prompted locals to alert the police. Police arrived at the scene and questioned the group. They initially claimed to be from Delhi but failed to provide details about their identity or destination. The autorickshaw used by the detainees was seized as evidence. Police transferred the group from Katigorah to Silchar Sadar police station for further investigation. Speaking to media, SP (Cachar) Numal Mahatta said the group was living in Jammu and Kashmir and were in India illegally for some time. Mahatta added that they were likely attempting to enter Bangladesh via the border, a route reportedly exploited by Rohingya to return to their homeland. Sources indicate that Rohingya individuals living in India have frequently use such routes to attempt re-entry into Bangladesh, with several apprehensions in recent years.
IOL News
06-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Why voluntary disclosure to Sars is crucial to avoid severe penalties
With R7.5 billion allocated for enforcement, Sars is intensifying its crackdown on non-compliant taxpayers. Image: File photo. The South African Revenue Service (Sars) is preparing to escalate its enforcement drive. With R7.5 billion in additional funding over the medium term and the implementation of a focused initiative known as Project AmaBillions, Sars now has both the mandate and the means to pursue non-compliant taxpayers with renewed vigour. Commissioner Edward Kieswetter's two-pronged approach — assisting those who comply and cracking down on those who don't — is no longer just rhetoric. Sars is making it clear that time is fast running out for those who have not regularised their tax affairs. The VDP: a last safe exit The Voluntary Disclosure Programme (VDP) offers qualified taxpayers a structured, legislated opportunity to correct prior non-compliance. It is not a loophole or workaround, but a legitimate mechanism designed to encourage voluntary compliance before Sars initiates an audit or investigation. Taxpayers who took this route early have protected themselves from reputational harm, potential financial ruin, and in some cases, criminal prosecution. Those who did not are now facing consequences that include public naming and shaming, civil judgments, and penalties that can reach up to 200% of the original tax debt. In more serious cases, individuals have faced prosecution, with imprisonment as a real possibility. VDP process improved, but not without risk Sars has made the VDP process more accessible for taxpayers acting in good faith. The application system has been digitised and streamlined, turnaround times have improved, and Sars has demonstrated a willingness to engage constructively with applicants, provided the disclosure is made voluntarily and before Sars begins any form of inquiry. While the process may appear simpler, the legal requirements remain stringent. A taxpayer must be registered and up to date with all tax returns, and the disclosure must be complete and accurate. Sars has successfully invalidated VDP relief where applications were rushed or failed to meet the statutory criteria, leaving those taxpayers exposed to both penalties and potential criminal liability. Legal privilege: a crucial but missing conversation What many taxpayers fail to appreciate is the importance of legal privilege, especially when the risk of criminal sanctions arises. In matters where potential prosecution is on the horizon, engaging a tax attorney ensures that communication and strategy discussions are protected by law. This privilege does not extend to accountants or consultants. Without it, sensitive disclosures and planning documents could be accessed and used by Sars in subsequent enforcement proceedings. When the stakes include imprisonment, legal privilege is not a luxury — it's a necessity. Sars is now faster, smarter, and sharper This new era of enforcement is underpinned by smarter systems and sharper tools. Sars has invested significantly in data analytics, automation, and inter-agency cooperation. Audits are no longer random — they are precise, data-driven, and often highly effective. Once an audit, investigation, or verification commences, the door to the VDP closes. This is not theoretical. Sars has in many cases already executed garnishee orders, asset preservation applications, and criminal prosecutions. Disclose before they come knocking The burden of proof lies with the taxpayer. Failure to maintain records, declare all income or keep tax affairs in order places individuals and businesses at real risk. The VDP is one of the few remaining proactive avenues allowing taxpayers to resolve historical non-compliance, avoid excessive penalties, and protect themselves against criminal liability.
