Daily Briefing, March 11

Francisco Salvat — warned people of a 14 percent increase in their energy bills, then told them to “press 1” to lower their electric bills.

The complaint also says that when consumers asked the defendants not to call again, the requests were often ignored.

Teachers in Washington state are getting a pleasant surprise from Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

Other tech leaders and entertainers also have made big donations to the cause.

Sean Parker, known for helping develop Facebook and Napster, is working on a project called Screening Room, which could get films released in people’s homes the same day they hit theaters, Variety reported.

Variety quotes unnamed sources as saying Screening Room would charge about $150 for a set-top box, plus $50 for a 48-hour window to view the film.

The Daily Briefing is compiled from San Francisco Chronicle staff and news services.