Tesla will share patents with public, CEO says

The Tesla just became the world’s first open-source car.

Elon Musk, chief executive of Tesla Motors Inc., said Thursday that he is opening up the electric car company’s patents to all comers.

“Technology leadership is not defined by patents, which history has repeatedly shown to be small protection indeed against a determined competitor,” Musk said, “but rather by the ability of a company to attract and motivate the world’s most talented engineers. We believe that applying the open-source philosophy to our patents will strengthen rather than diminish Tesla’s position in this regard.”

Although it is dramatic – auto companies and other businesses usually jealously protect their patents – Musk said Tesla’s move will be of modest help to rival car companies and should speed the adoption of electric cars.

Tesla will also open up the technology it is using to build its supercharger network, a chain of charging stations that rapidly recharge its cars.

Jobless aid applications see pre-recession levels

WASHINGTON – More Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, but claims for jobless aid remain near pre-recession levels.

The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly applications for benefits rose 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 317,000. The four-week average, a less volatile measure, increased to 315,250. These figures are near the jobless claims levels before the outbreak of the Great Recession in December 2007.

Applications are a proxy for layoffs, so the claims data show that employers are dismissing fewer workers. When businesses are confident enough to hold on to staff, they may also step up hiring. That is a positive sign for economic growth, as more jobs usually help lift consumer spending.

Last Friday, the Labor Department said employers added 217,000 jobs in May as the unemployment rate held steady at 6.3 percent.

NEW YORK – Starbucks and Duracell say they are rolling out Powermat wireless charging devices in stores in San Francisco. The charging spots will expand into other major markets in 2015, and the companies plan to put the devices in all Starbucks and Teavana locations over time.

The companies say stores will have “Powermat Spots,” designated areas on tables and counters where customers can put their compatible smartphones and charge them wirelessly.

Most smartphones and devices on the market now are not compatible with the Powermat stations, although some with the built-in capability are starting to emerge, according to IHS, a market researcher. People can also buy Powermat accessories to charge devices that aren’t compatible, Starbucks noted.

$1.4 billion fine against Intel upheld by EU court

BRUSSELS – A European Union court on Thursday upheld a $1.4 billion fine against Intel, the American microchip manufacturer, for abusing its dominant position in the market for computer central processing units.

EU officials assessed the fine in 2009 after determining that in 2002-07, Intel awarded rebates to computer makers if they bought exclusively or mostly Intel-made CPUs.

Intel also made payments to computer makers if they agreed to postpone or cancel the launch of computers that contained CPUs made by a rival manufacturer, EU officials found.

Intel had sought the annulment of the decision. On Thursday, the EU’s General Court upheld the findings and the fine.