Around the Web 8.20.08: FTC fine with a Take-Two deal, phones get better

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-- The FTC no longer has a problem with Electronic Arts buying Grand Theft Auto maker Take-Two Interactive. Take-Two, however, might still have a nit to pick. Reuters

-- Speaking of grand theft, the gaming industry has suddenly upgraded its weaponry and attacked file sharing in the U.K., threatening to sue 25,000 people it’s accusing of peer-to-peer piracy. TimesOnline

-- One day soon, you will be able to cut-and-paste text on your iPhone! Probably! CNet

-- Palm (remember Palm?) has a newer and better not-an-iPhone. TechCrunch

-- The economy hasn’t slowed Hewlett-Packard’s growth, much. LAT

-- Yeah, you have to pay for checking a single bag, but American Airlines is letting you surf the Web, on some routes, for $12.95 a flight! Or so it was said -- the 9 a.m. live in-flight update from a blogger hasn’t materialized yet. CrunchGear

-- The chief executive of British bank HBOS has account looted by identity thefters. The Register

-- Verified Identity Pass, Steve Brill’s plan to speed people through airport security without them having to be O.J. Simpson, raises $44 million more in funding, recently stolen database or no. Silicon Alley Insider

-- EBay changes its selling fees again, and EBay sellers are upset again. AP via LAT

-- Joseph Menn