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Internet retailer Amazon.com Inc. said it bought a 49% stake in Gear.com, an online seller of sporting goods. The move is the latest in Amazon.com’s aggressive effort to expand beyond its original business of selling books online. Terms were not disclosed. Closely held Gear.com sells items such as Cannondale bicycling shoes and Cleveland Golf golf clubs at discounts of 20% to 90%.

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* Audiohighway.com, which enables consumers to download music, books and news from its Net site, said it won a patent for its portable digital audio player. The patent covers any digital audio player used to store and play back downloaded content, regardless of the format in which the content is saved, the company said, adding that the patent could mean millions of dollars in royalties from companies that make the devices.