The instruments on board Venus Express had been developed as back-ups for either Esa's Mars Express spacecraft or Esa's comet-chaser mission, Rosetta, due for launch in January.

BBC: Venus mission is on

As a result of all this, and the boom in e-commerce, the big parcel companies, such as Federal Express, UPS and DHL (not targets of the current investigation), have seen business boom.

ECONOMIST: Inspecting the cargo | The

While big ugly conglomerates gasped for air during the 1970s, start-ups such as Federal Express, Microsoft, Apple, Genentech, Charles Schwab Corp. and Oracle were launched on the basis of cheaper technology and radically new business models.

FORBES: The Recovery Has Arrived

FedEx, UPS, DHL and other foreign express shippers are allowed to ship boxes within China and to handle outgoing shipments of boxes as well as letters.

FORBES: Off Shore

Antitrust concerns will force UPS to scrap its acquisition of Dutch TNT Express.

FORBES: UPS-TNT Express $7B Deal Falls Apart Over Antitrust Concerns

During this rotten decade, America saw the creation of start-ups that are mighty even now: Federal Express, Southwest Airlines, Microsoft, Apple, Genentech, Charles Schwab, Oracle.

FORBES: 1970s Recovery, But Global

Like the portfolio acquired on Wednesday, this portfolio has active litigation against 16 defendants, including some very big time names like Federal Express (FDX), Siemens (SI), UPS (UPS), Mitsubishi, Nintendo, and Alcatel Lucent.

FORBES: New IP Company Marathon Patent Group Promises Diversification Amid Risky Environment

Both UPS and chief rival FedEx were both rumored to be interested in TNT Express.

FORBES: UPS-TNT Express $7B Deal Falls Apart Over Antitrust Concerns

Dell's existing service business is at the low end, little more than extended-warranty tune-ups and installing such off-the-rack systems as Microsoft's Outlook Express e-mail software.

FORBES: Magazine Article