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===================================================
DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- January 15, 2003
===================================================
To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com 

o Supreme Court Rules 7-2 to Increase Copyright Term Length by 20 Years
o Report: Ringtones Market Grows to Nearly $1 Billion
o EU Probing Hollywood's Sale of TV Rights To Movies
o RIAA Denounces Claim It Hired Hackers to Attack P2P Systems
o GM to Expand XM Satellite Radio to 44 Models 
o FCC Approves Sirius Radio License Transfer for Recapitalization

> DMW Publications: Special Rates for DMW Subscribers
> DMW Events: Early Bird Discount - Digital Music Forum | March 3 | NYC
> Featured: USC M-Commerce Event, UCLA Extension Class

o Briefly Noted: MusicNet - Fantasy label, NBA.com - China, ACTV - OpenTV,
Match.com - MSN, Namco - "Soul Calibur 2," THQ - Hello Kitty, Electronic
Arts - Miguel Tejada - Randy Johnson, TDK Mediactive - "Star Trek," Ofoto,
RIAA/Tech firm accord - reactions
_____________________________________________

> Events: Games & Mobile Forum: April 28 | NYC

> Marketplace: TechLink-IT Directory, WorldTech, Entertainment & Corporate
Legal Services, Game Industry Report, iTV Chronicle, Homeland Security
Directory, Interest-Based Navigation

Full Classifieds located beneath "Briefly Noted" section below.

To post a Classified Ad:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/mainpostingpage.html
or contact Tinzar Than at tinzar@digitalmediawire.com
_____________________________________________

o Supreme Court Rules 7-2 to Increase Copyright Term Length by 20 Years

Washington -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled in the case of
Eldred v. Ashcroft to uphold a 1998 law that extended the length of a
copyright's term by 20 years, postponing the migration of such works into
the public domain as Disney's Mickey Mouse and literary works by F. Scott
Fitzgerald and Robert Frost. The 7-2 ruling upholds the Sonny Bono
Copyright Term Extension Act, which was heavily lobbied for by
entertainment firms wanting to keep control over their lucrative
copyrights. In her majority opinion, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said that
the Congress was acting within its authority when it created the
extension, which also does not violate First Amendment free speech rights.
Justice John Paul Stevens wrote in his dissenting opinion that, in
upholding the extension, the Court "fail[ed] to protect the public
interest in free access to the products of inventive and artistic genius."
The entertainment industry lauded the Court's ruling. "We are pleased that
the Court has reaffirmed the absolute authority of Congress to set
copyright terms," said MPAA president and CEO Jack Valenti, in a
statement.
http://www.copyright.gov/pr/eldred.html 
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=internetNews&storyID=2051241 
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-980792.html?tag=fd_top 
Majority Opinion:
http://www.copyright.gov/docs/eldrdedo.pdf 
Dissenting Opinions:
http://www.copyright.gov/docs/eldredd.pdf 
http://www.copyright.gov/docs/eldredd1.pdf 
_____________________________________________

o Report: Ringtones Market Grows to Nearly $1 Billion

London -- Sales of ringtones for cell phones, which require a royalty
payment for the copyrighted songs on which they are based, generated $71
million in revenue for authors' collection societies in 2002, up 58
percent over the previous year's totals, according to a report released on
Wednesday by London-based Informa Media Group. As the percentage generated
through these royalties accounts for only 10 to 15 percent of total
ringtone revenue, Informa estimated that the total market for ringtones is
somewhere between $700 million and $1 billion. The firm also reports that
the cost to download a ringtone to a cell phone varies widely from country
to country, costing as little as $0.30 each in Russia or as much as $1.83
per jingle in Australia.
http://www.informa.com 
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=2048158 
_____________________________________________

o EU Probing Hollywood's Sale of TV Rights To Movies

Brussels -- Several Hollywood studios are being investigated by European
Union antitrust regulators over the sale of TV rights to movies. Several
European pay-TV companies have also been asked to provide details of their
contracts with the studios, according to competition spokeswoman Amelia
Torres, who did not name the studios or pay-TV companies. The European
Commission is concerned that the contracts might stifle competition
between studios.
http://www.afxpress.com/afxpress2/afx/story_270840.xml.html 
_____________________________________________

o RIAA Denounces Claim It Hired Hackers to Attack P2P Systems

San Francisco -- The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has
rejected a hacker group's claim that it was hired to create a computer
worm intended to invade and disrupt peer-to-peer file-sharing networks,
CNET News.com reported. A group called Gobbles Security posted its claim
to several security-related sites and discussion lists, which included
statements such as, "Our software worked better than even we hoped, and
current reports indicate that nearly 95 percent of all p2p-participating
hosts are now infected with the software that we developed for the RIAA."
The RIAA denied Gobbles Security's claim. "It's a complete hoax," an
anonymous RIAA spokesman told News.com. Lending credence to the Gobbles
Security claim is the RIAA's support of legislation introduced by Rep.
Howard Berman (D-Calif.) that would ensure the legality of any
"technological countermeasures" the industry could come up with to disrupt
peer-to-peer networks.
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-980649.html?tag=fd_top 
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/28842.html 
_____________________________________________

o GM to Expand XM Satellite Radio to 44 Models 

Washington, D.C. -- Auto manufacturer General Motors has announced that it
plans to offer XM Satellite Radio, a national satellite-delivered digital
radio service, in 44 of its 57 models beginning in the 2004 model year. GM
currently offers the radios in 25 of its models. The company became the
first automaker to offer XM as a factory-installed option in 2002 Cadillac
DeVilles and Sevilles. Washington-based XM charges $9.99 a month for 101
national digital channels.
http://www.gm.com/cgi-bin/pr_display.pl?3354 
http://www.xmradio.com 
_____________________________________________

o FCC Approves Sirius Radio License Transfer for Recapitalization

New York -- Sirius Satellite Radio, a provider of satellite-delivered
digital radio programming, announced on Wednesday that the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) has approved its application to transfer
control of its operating licenses to its creditors, as part of a company
recapitalization plan. New York-based Sirius believes it will complete the
recapitalization this quarter, which calls for the company to swap its
$700 million debt load and $525 million preferred stock for common stock.
The company said the move is needed "to maintain and expand its service to
the public."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030115/nyw027_1.html 
http://www.sirius.com 
_____________________________________________

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==========================================
DMW Publications: Available for DMW Subscribers NOW!
December Law & Policy Report 
==========================================
Contact tinzar@digitalmediawire.com or call 323-464-0793 to order your
copies.
To purchase directly, go to:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplace.htm

Digital Media Law & Policy Report  (December)
A new report every month - must-read publication on legal and policy
matters related to digital media.  38 pages of case summaries, news and
analysis, policy updates, court filings, and exclusive interviews with
legal counsel and business leaders.
**Special Reduced Rates available for a limited time**   
Price:   $19.00 Per Issue   |   $195.00 Annual Subscription  
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplace.htm

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========================================
DMW Events: Digital Music Forum, March 3 | NYC 
========================================
 
Digital Media Wire Presents... 
DIGITAL MUSIC FORUM 
March 3, 2003 | New York City | 9:00AM - 7:00 PM 
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events/MusicForum_030303.htm
 
A full-day forum focusing on business & legal issues impacting the music
industry today. The agenda includes 2 keynote addresses, 4 moderated
panels and breakout sessions.
 
Invited speakers include:
Chris Gorog, CEO, Roxio
Sean Ryan, CEO, Listen.com
Marc Schiller, CEO, Electric Artists
David Del Beccaro, CEO, Music Choice
Dennis Mudd, CEO, Musicmatch
Ned Sherman, CEO, Digital Media Wire
John Jeffrey, EVP & General Counsel, Live365
Trey Bowles, VP, StreamCast Networks
Phil Corwin, Partner, Butera & Andrews
Jonathan Potter, Exec. Dir., Digital Media Association
Ted Cohen, VP, EMI Recorded Music
Bryan Biniak, EVP, Moviso
Richard Conlon, VP, Business Development, BMI
Vincent Peppe, Legal Counsel, Licensing, SESAC
Gerd Leonhard, Founder, LicenseMusic.com
Joe Lazlo, Senior Analyst, Jupiter Media
Tim Nilson, VP, Mobile Technology, Sony Music
Paul Sherman, Founder & Editor, Potomac Tech Wire
Nicholas Lehman, VP, Business Development, MTV
David Brudnicki, Sr. Dir., Mobile, AT&T Wireless
Josh Warner, Founder, Like Media
Mark Ghuneim, SVP, Emerging Tech., Columbia Records 
Michael Hausman, Co-Founder, United Musicians
Jesse Feder, Policy Planning Advisor, U.S. Copyright Office
John Perry Barlow, Co-Founder, EFF

Early bird registrations:  $150 until January 31
February registrations:  $200 until February 28
At the door:  $250.   
Pre-Register at: http://kb.digitalmediawire.com/register.php?eventid=1024
 
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==================
FEATURED SECTION
==================
Featured Section posting at:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/featuredpostingpage.htm  
 
USC's M-Commerce to the Max Conference, January 16, Los Angeles
 
MCommerce to the Max, Industry Leaders Roundtable Event. Join us January
16, 2003, 8:00am - 8:00pm, at the University of Southern California,
Davidson Conference Center 3415 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
90089. Digital Media Wire readers receive
academic rate ($150.00). 
Register online at: 
http://www.marshall.usc.edu/web/CTM.cfm?doc_id=4615
_____________________________________________
 
UCLA Extension Course: Digital Entertainment   
 
The definitive course on the intersection of entertainment and technology
is returning to UCLA Extension this January. Digital & Hollywood: How Do
We Pick Up The Pieces & Move Forward? begins Tuesday, January 28th @ 7pm.
This nine week program features informative, stimulating, and
free-wheeling discussions with the senior executives who are who are
creating the future of digital entertainment. Digital Media Wire
subscribers receive a special $45 discount off of the $430 list price. To
register and take advantage of this special offer, simply visit the UCLA
extension website (www.uclaextension.org), click on the Quick Link tab and
enter the following special registration code: N8513
http://www.uclaextension.org

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Briefly Noted:

(Los Angeles) MusicNet, a digital music subscription service joint venture
between AOL Time Warner, RealNetworks, BMG and EMI, announced that it has
licensed tracks from independent jazz music label Fantasy for its service.
Fantasy's catalog includes original recordings from the Prestige,
Riverside and Milestone labels, which put out records by Miles Davis,
Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane, among others. The label also controls a
number of recordings from prominent blues and folk artists.
http://www.musicnet.com 
http://www.fantasyjazz.com  

(Beijing) NBA.com, the official web site of the National Basketball
Association (NBA), announced on Wednesday that it partnered with Chinese
Web portal SOHU.com to create a Chinese NBA website. The NBA.com/china
site will offer audio, statistics and text content translated by SOHU,
which will also host, publish and promote the site in China. NBA.com also
has international sites targeting Japan, Canada, the U.K. and
Spanish-speaking visitors.
http://www.sohu.com 
http://www.nba.com/china  

(New York) ACTV, a developer of interactive TV advertising technology,
said on Wednesday that it has extended to February 15, 2003 the deadline
for closing its pending merger with OpenTV, pursuant to provisions of the
merger agreement between the companies.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030115/nyw075_1.html 
http://www.opentv.com 
http://www.actv.com 

(Dallas) Online dating service Match.com said on Wednesday that it has
signed multi-year agreements with Microsoft's MSN to provide online dating
services for MSN Japan and MSN localized sites in Europe and Africa.
Dallas-based Match.com currently claims 650,000 paying subscribers and
over 8 million members for its service.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030115/law050_1.html 
http://www.match.com 

(Tokyo) Japanese game developer Namco on Wednesday said that it will
release its long-awaited sequel, "Soul Calibur 2," in Japan on March 27
and in North America in August 2003 for PlayStation 2, GameCube and Xbox.
Since 1996, the Soul Blade/Calibur franchise has sold over 3 million units
worldwide.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/230150026&ticker= 
http://www.namco.com  

(Minneapolis) Game developer THQ announced on Wednesday the release of
"Hello Kitty Cutie World" for the PC. The title was developed by
Minneapolis-based THQ studio ValuSoft, as part of THQ's license agreement
with Hello Kitty creator Sanrio.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030115/152110_1.html 
http://www.sanrio.com 
http://www.thq.com 
http://www.valusoft.com 

(Redwood City, Calif.) Video game developer Electronic Arts announced on
Wednesday that it has signed American League Most Valuable Player Miguel
Tejada and National League Cy Young winner Randy Johnson as the spokesmen
and cover athletes for its upcoming "MVP Baseball 2003" title. The game
will be released in March for PlayStation 2 and Xbox, with a PC version to
be released in the summer.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030115/150071_1.html 
http://www.ea.com 

(Westlake Village, Calif.) Game developer TDK Mediactive announced on
Wednesday the summer 2003 release of "Star Trek Shattered Universe" for
PlayStation 2. The game is being developed by Northridge, Calif.-based
StarSphere, as part of Westlake Village, Calif.-based TDK Mediactive's
Star Trek license from Viacom Consumer Products in co-operation with
master Star Trek licensee, Activision.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030115/150041_1.html 
http://www.tdk-mediactive.com 
http://www.starsphere.com 

(Emeryville, Calif.) Ofoto, an online photo service owned by Eastman
Kodak, on Tuesday named Mark Blecher as president. Blecher has more than
16 years of marketing experience with companies like Electronic Arts,
PepsiCo and Clorox. In his new position, he will work on strategies and
programs designed to help the company capitalize on the exponentially
increasing popularity of digital cameras.
http://www.newsalert.com/bin/story?StoryId=CpIozubKbytaYmJm 
http://www.ofoto.com 

(San Francisco) CNET News.com, Salon.com and Wired News all published
reactions on Wednesday to yesterday's announcement of an agreement between
a group of technology firms and the recording industry on regulatory
matters relating to digital piracy. Noticeably absent from yesterday's
agreement was the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). "We are
not prepared to abandon the option of seeking technical protection
measures via the Congress or appropriate regulatory agency, when
necessary, such as the adoption of the broadcast flag or closing the
analog hole," said MPAA CEO Jack Valenti, in a statement. Also absent was
the Consumer Electronics Association, which said in a statement that it
will continue to support amendments to the Digital Millennium Copyright
Act.
http://www.mpaa.org/jack/2003/2003_01_14.htm 
http://www.ce.org/press_room/press_release_detail.asp?id=10148 
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-980671.html?tag=fd_lede2_hed 
http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2003/01/15/hollywood_tech/index.html 
http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,57211,00.html 
_____________________________________________

===================
CLASSIFIEDS - JOBS
===================
To Post Jobs: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobpostingpage.htm 

_____________________________________________

====================
CLASSIFIEDS - EVENTS
====================
To Post Events: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/eventpostingpage.htm 

Digital Media Wire Presents...Games & Mobile Forum
April 2003, New York City
 
Focusing on games and mobile entertainment opportunities and business
models. Panel topics will include "The Battle to Control the Living Room:
Is the Game Industry Winning?", "Mobile Games: Business Models & New
Opportunities",  "Legal & Policy Issues Impacting the Game Industry &
Mobile Entertainment", and "Home Networking: Technology for Modern Living
& Entertainment."

Door Tickets Price: $250. For Early Bird Specials, pre-register at:
http://kb.digitalmediawire.com/register.php?eventid=1025
_____________________________________________

==========================
CLASSIFIEDS - MARKETPLACE
==========================
To Post Marketplace:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplacepostingpage.htm 

Attention High Tech Business Owners: 

Advertise your Web Site in Our Technology Directory for only $19 per month
and drive qualified buyers to your company! Over 137,000 hits since June
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_____________________________________________

Technologies Sought by Governments and Industry in 101 Countries

Dulles Corridor-based WorldTech Inc. works directly with eligible
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Visit http://www.worldtech-inc.com for more information.
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Top Credentialed Attorney with 9 years of experience representing major
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_____________________________________________

Game Industry Law & Policy Report 

Special industry report covering law & policy matters impacting the game
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feature article and an exclusive interview with Doug Lowenstein,
President, Interactive Digital Software Association.  Price: $19.00
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplace.htm
_____________________________________________

For those who believe in ITV - "Interactive TV: The Definitive Chronicle"
 
Covering the period 2000 to the present, this sourcebook presents a
complete history of the news and events that have shaped the business of
iTV since the beginning of the 21st Century. Culled from countless
sources, including the Digital Media Wire database, this 175 pages PDF (on
CD) covers all of the major players as well as the legal and financial
issues that helped shape the industry. Key research and industry
projections as well as a host of facts, figures, resources and thousands
of iTV-related links are included. Price: $ 55.00.
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplace.htm
_____________________________________________

Only 35 copies remaining of Directory of Homeland Security

This is your company's final chance to purchase the inaugural edition of
the Directory of Homeland Security: a 160-page book that lists all federal
and state agencies involved in homeland security. The directory includes
names of over 1,500 homeland security officials, profiles of 500 agencies
involved in homeland security, and a detailed list of technology companies
in this sector. The directory is sponsored by NETSEC, Greenberg Traurig,
AT&T and the Northern Virginia Technology Council.

To purchase the directory, go to: http://www.homeland-directory.com
_____________________________________________

Etronica helps you "Find the Good Stuff FAST!"

Etronica's unique software toolset enables "Interest Based Navigation" of
Digital Content. The Patent Pending software tools can be incorporated
directly into content websites and portals, installed in TV settop boxes
or integrated as OEM components. The tools drive the automatic tagging,
indexing, and categorization of text. A recommendation engine suggests
highly relevant new information to users as they interact. Personalized
advertising and commerce offerings can also be automatically served.
Contact us to learn more: info@etronica.com
http://www.etronica.com
_____________________________________________

Digital Media Wire, Inc. leverages its integrated media network to provide
exceptional value to individuals and companies determined to capitalize on
the convergence of media, entertainment and technology. Digital Media
Wire, the first in a series of business-intelligence publications,
delivers original daily briefings on the business, legal and financial
developments shaping digital media.

Digital Media Wire is part of the Tech Wire Media Group, an international
network of publications that includes Potomac Tech Wire, New England Tech
Wire, Southeast Tech Wire, Bay Area Tech Wire, Tri-state Tech Wire and
European Tech Wire. The network reaches more than 62,000 individuals from
over 70 countries worldwide each business day.

Upcoming publications, events & information at:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com 

Questions, Comments & Suggestions to:
tinzar@digitalmediawire.com 

News Tips, Scoops & Press Releases to:
editorial@digitalmediawire.com 
_____________________________________________

Editor: Mark Hefflinger
Chief Executive Officer: Ned Sherman
Marketing Director: Tinzar Than

Copyright 2003 Digital Media Wire, Inc. All Rights Reserved.