There are those who counterfeit money and those who make near-perfect knockoffs of 21 different Microsoft programs. Well, Microsoft Corp. (NADSAQ: MSFT) pushed an investigation through 22 countries and local law enforcement officials seized software, equipment and records, and made arrests. Microsoft estimates the retail value of the software the operation generated at $900 million.

The buzz over the $44.6 billion unsolicited bid Microsoft made for Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO) is far from over with new items as well as speculations coming daily. The Financial Times reports that Softbank yesterday said it had no intention of selling its 41% stake in Yahoo Japan. Meanwhile, Trip Chowdhry of Global Equities Research speculated Thursday that Microsoft made the stunning proposal as a way to block a possible alliance between Yahoo and Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN).

The Wall Street Journal reports that federal prosecutors, looking into the mortgage businesses, have asked the Securities and Exchange Commission for information on Merrill Lynch & Co. (NYSE: MER).

MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM) said Thursday it expects its fourth-quarter profit to beat Wall Street predictions, with earnings per share between 60 cents and 65 cents. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect earnings of 55 cents per share for the quarter. MGM shares are up about 2.5% in premarket trading.

RealNetworks Inc (NASDAQ: RNWK), which recently announced a deal with Yahoo, forecast first-quarter revenue to be between $139 million and $143 million, below the $151 million analysts had been expecting. Full-year 2008 revenue was also forecast below Wall Street expectations partly due to slower growth in its Rhapsody America music business. The company also said on Thursday that it expects a per-share loss of between 8 cents and a gain of 2 cents for the first quarter, adjusted for GAAP. RNWK shares are down over 4.3% in premarket trading.

After Cramer had recommended it Thursday and Urban Outfitters (NASDAQ: URBN) reported an 11% same-store climb in Q4, Bear Stearns joined in and upgraded to Peer Perform from Underperform. URBN shares, which have finished Thursday up 8.51% to $28.95 are down nearly 2% this morning in premarket trading.

Another unconfirmed Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) rumor comes this time from TUAW: "TUAW has received a tip that the company that does television for Apple's live events and Macworld is apparently hiring for an unannounced Apple event at the end of February." If there is such an event, something will be announced -- what's Apple preparing next? Again - an unconfirmed rumor.
And as fast as Apple updates the iPhone software, as fast as the unlocked versions come along as well, reports Engadget.