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January 21, 2004 -- About Us | Advertise | Events | Publications | Subscribe

Main Stories
o RIAA Changes Tactics in Suing Another 532 Individuals for Infringement
o Nintendo Unveils Plans for Dual-Screen Handheld Game Device
o Report: Despite Strong December, Game Sales Up Only 5% in 2003
o U.K. Record Biz, Online Retailer CD Wow Settle Parallel Import Dispute  
o AOL Offers Members Movielink Film Downloads for $0.99
o 'Net Video Phone Developer WorldGate Raising $1.5 Million
o Jupitermedia Predicts 17% Annual Growth for Online Retail Sales


 > DMW Announcements
 --DMW Events - Digital Music Forum -Confirmed Speakers
 --DMW Publications
   -Digital Media Law Report - December Law Report Available Now!

 > Featured Advertisement:
 --MIDEMNET
 

o Briefly Noted: Yahoo - Rogers Cable, Overture - Wanadoo, Sprint PCS - FunMail, Predixis - Linux MusicMagic Mixer, Electronic Arts - Free Radical Design

 
> Job/Event/Marketplace Classifieds:
 
--Best Cities, Best Job Growth Performers: Where should you be?
 --
Director of Corporate Marketing Communications - Fort Collins, CO
 --
Software Engineer
 --
HireStrategy- COO
 --
Video Production Services
 --Obtain Maximum Value for Your Excess Used Technology Equipment
 --Tech Executive Meeting - Harnessing Metrics to Drive
 --IT Service Management Forum Government Conference & Expo
 --Complete Information for Department of Homeland Security
 --Artisan Quality Handbags and Jewelry
 


o RIAA Changes Tactics in Suing Another 532 Individuals for Infringement

Washington -- In a change of tactics following a recent legal decision, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) said on Wednesday that it is suing 532 individuals that it says illegally offered copyrighted music for download on the Internet. One month after a federal appeals court ruled that Internet service providers couldn't be forced to turn over the names of their accused subscribers through a streamlined subpoena process outlined in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the RIAA is now planning to use numerical IP addresses to subpoena the identity of their owners, Reuters reported. Since September, the RIAA has filed 282 lawsuits against accused file-swappers, settling 233 of them for an average of about $3,000. The RIAA said that alleged infringers under the new lawsuits, once identified, would be given the chance to settle, although likely for larger amounts due to higher legal fees under the new legal tactics.
http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/040121/media_music_suits_3.html
http://news.com.com/2100-1027_3-5144558.html 
http://www.riaa.com
_____________________________________________

o Nintendo Unveils Plans for Dual-Screen Handheld Game Device

Redmond, Wash. -- Following up on hints it would release a new "mystery product" in 2004, Nintendo of America on Wednesday unveiled the Nintendo DS, a dual-screen portable video game device. The two 3-inch screens allow players to simultaneously view gameplay from two different perspectives -- for instance in a soccer game where one screen displays the overall action on the field while the other shows an individual player's maneuvers. "We have developed Nintendo DS based on a completely different concept from existing game devices," said Nintendo president Satoru Iwata. Nintendo plans to show the DS at the Electronic Entertainment Expo video game trade show in May, with plans to release the product to market before the end of 2004. Sony also has plans this year to release the PSP, a more expensive, yet more versatile handheld gaming device.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?K1EF22427
http://makeashorterlink.com/?T5F035527 
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o Report: Despite Strong December, Game Sales Up Only 5% in 2003

Port Washington, N.Y. -- Despite seeing sales 13% higher during the key month of December than they were a year ago, total video game sales for 2003 were up a disappointing 5%, following increases of 10% in 2001 and 21% in 2002, according to market data released by New York-based NPD Funworld. In terms of developers, Electronic Arts' sales for December rose 32%, while rival Activision's sales were up 38%. Industry leader Sony said that sales of games for its PlayStation 2 console were nearly $3 billion for 2003. The only company to report increased hardware sales during 2003 was Nintendo, which reported a 39% increase in GameCube sales after cutting the price to $99; Microsoft reported a 2% decrease in Xbox sales, while sales of Sony's PlayStation 2 fell 26%.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?O50162527 
http://www.npdfunworld.com
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o U.K. Record Biz, Online Retailer CD Wow Settle Parallel Import Dispute

Dublin -- The British and Irish record industries on Wednesday avoided an upcoming hearing and settled a legal dispute with online retailer CD Wow, which will end its practice of selling CDs imported from outside European Economic Area (EEA) -- particularly from Asia. The company said the news meant it would have to add another 2 pounds ($3.66) to the price of its 8.99-pound ($16.45) CDs. The company, which still faces legal action in Germany, settled with the British Phonographic Institute (BPI) just two weeks before they were to go to court over parallel importing. "It is hugely disappointing," said CD Wow director Philip Robinson. "It is very much the consumer who loses out."
http://www.bpi.co.uk/introindex.html 
http://makeashorterlink.com/?P38166527 
http://www.cdwow.com
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o AOL Offers Members Movielink Film Downloads for $0.99

New York -- America Online announced on Wednesday that it has partnered with Internet video-on-demand site Movielink to offer its members a five-week promotion where they may rent movies on their PCs for $0.99 each. A joint venture of MGM, Paramount, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios and Warner Bros., Movielink also offers films from Walt Disney Pictures, Miramax, Artisan and others. Films including "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Finding Nemo" and "The Hulk," normally priced from $3.95 to $4.99 for a 30-day download, will be offered to AOL members for the discounted price during the promotion. Separately, Los Angeles-based Movielink announced on Wednesday a partnership with Ball State University's Center for Media Design, to study college students' use of the Internet to access films, and piracy issues.
http://media.aoltimewarner.com/media/press_view.cfm?release_num=55253728
http://news.com.com/2100-1026_3-5144195.html 
http://www.movielink.com
____________________________________________

o 'Net Video Phone Developer WorldGate Raising $1.5 Million

Trevose, Pa. -- WorldGate Communications, a provider of interactive TV software that has since changed its focus to the Internet video phone market, announced on Wednesday that it will raise $1.5 million through a placement of its shares with four institutional investors. The company, which just raised $1 million in December, plans to sell 1 million additional shares at a price of $1.50 per share. Pennsylvania-based WorldGate will use the funds to develop its Ojo video phone product, produce trial units, conduct trials with broadband operators and initialize commercial manufacture.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040121/phw014_1.html 
http://www.wgate.com
____________________________________________

o Jupitermedia Predicts 17% Annual Growth for Online Retail Sales

Darien, Conn. -- Market research and analysis firm Jupitermedia predicts that total online retail sales will reach $65 billion in 2004 and continue growing 17% annually through 2008, at which point annual sales should total about $117 billion, or 5% of overall U.S. retail sales. While that it is a relatively small slice, Jupitermedia said, the use of the Web by consumers to research product information plays a significant role in purchasing decision. The firm said that it expects that nearly 30% of all offline purchases by consumers in 2008 will be influenced by research performed online.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040120/205070_1.html

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 > DMW Events:

4th Annual Digital Music Forum

March 1, 2004 | New York City
www.digitalmusicforum.com

 

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

Amy Bernstein - Senior Editor, Business 2.0
David Del Beccaro - President & CEO, Music Choice
Derek Broes - EVP, Worldwide Operations,
Altnet
Ted Cohen - SVP, Digital Development & Distribution, EMI Music

David Card - VP & Research Director, Jupiter Research
Peter Csathy - COO, MusicMatch
Maureen Dorney - Partner, Gray Cary
Roy Elkins - CEO & Founder, Broadjam
Mark Frieser - CEO & Founder, Consect
Brian Garrity - Senior Editor, Billboard Magazine
Jim Griffin - CEO, Cherry Lane Digital
Ellie Hirschhorn - GM & EVP, MusicNet
Jeff Howe - Contributing Editor, Wired Magazine
John Kilcullen - President & Publisher, Billboard Magazine
David Kusek - Associate VP, Berklee College of Music
Steven Marks - SVP, Legal and Business Affairs, RIAA
Tim Nilson - VP, Mobile Technology, Sony Music
Jonathan Potter - Executive Director, Digital Media Association
Sean Ryan - VP, Music Services, Real Networks
Ned Sherman - CEO & Founder, Digital Media Wire
Howie Singer - Chief Technology Officer, Warner Music Group
Steve Schnur - Worldwide Executive of Music & Audio, Electronic Arts
Perry Solomon - Founder & VP, Strategy, Peppercoin
Bob Struble - President & CEO, Ibiquity Digital
Nikke Slight - SVP, New Media, Atlantic Records
Don Teague - VP, Sales & Marketing,
PaymentOne
Jim Van Huysse - Executive Director & GM, The AOL Radio@ Network
Jon Vlassopulos - Sr. Dir., Bus. Dev., AT&T Wireless Mobile Multimedia
more to come......

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
This year's forum focuses on the following questions:

- Is there a viable business model for selling music online? 
- Can licensed services compete with free downloads from file-sharing networks? 
- Who will be the winners and the losers in the world of online music sales? 
- What is the status of pending lawsuits and legislation concerning digital copyrights? Can the music industry profit from legitimate uses of P2P?
- How are consumers reacting to new formats for music delivery?
- Will new formats generate the kind of success that the industry experienced with CDs during the '80s and '90s? 
- What are the challenges and opportunities for music industry executives seeking to maximize the potential of the mobile market?
- What does the future hold for satellite and Internet radio?

For complete agenda and event details, please go to: www.digitalmusicforum.com

REGISTRATION
Early Bird Special: $195 (until January 20)
Pre-Registration: $295 (until February 20)
Registration: $395 (after February 20)


> DMW Publications:

> Digital Media Law Report
Must-read publication on legal and policy matters related to digital media. Law Report includes case summaries, news and analysis, policy updates, court filings, and exclusive interviews with legal counsel and business leaders. Published monthly. Subscriptions - Order

Available Now - December Law Report - 31 pages - Order

> G
ame Industry Quarterly
- Subscriptions - Order
The Game Industry Quarterly features news about key business, legal and finance developments impacting the game industry. Each issue includes sections on current industry research, financings, law and policy matters, game releases, business deals and other industry events.

Available Now - Q3 Game Industry Quartertly - 105 pages - Order

Past Events | Sponsorship Materials | Partners & Clients
 

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> Featured Advertisement:


 

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o Briefly Noted:

(Sunnyvale, Calif.) Yahoo announced that it has partnered with Canadian cable TV operator Rogers Cable to launch a co-branded broadband Internet access service. The service will bundle high-speed Internet access with a combination of customized Yahoo products and services optimized for broadband. Currently, Rogers' broadband network counts 800,000 subscribers. The companies also said that wireless network operator Rogers AT&T Wireless will provide its subscribers with mobile extensions of Yahoo's communication and information services.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040120/205912_1.html 
http://www.rogers.com

(Sunnyvale, Calif.) Paid search specialist Overture, a unit of Yahoo, announced that it has extended a contract to provide paid listings for Freeserve UK, Wanadoo France and Wanadoo Spain, and has expanded the deal to include Wanadoo Netherlands. The contract for the advertiser-sponsored search links will extend through 2005, according to published reports. Wanadoo is currently Europe's No. 2 Internet service provider.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?M55F22F17

(Kansas City, Mo.) Wireless network operator Sprint PCS said on Wednesday that it launched mobile comics from FunMail for its PCS Vision subscribers. Comics available for $1.99 per month on Pleasanton, Calif.-based FunMail's Mobile Comic Network include "Dilbert," "Beetle Bailey" and "Hagar the Horrible."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040121/sfw056_1.html 
http://www.funmail.com 
http://www.pcsvision.com 
http://www.mobilecomicsnetwork.com

(Monrovia, Calif.) Predixis Corporation on Wednesday released its MusicMagic Mixer software for the Linux operating system, enabling Linux users to create custom playlists based on "the inherent sounds of songs." Monrovia, Calif.-based Predixis said the software uses automatic sound analysis that establishes a relationship between variables found in music, and can create a custom playlist of songs that sound similar to a song or group of songs input by a user.
http://music.predixis.com

(Redwood City, Calif.) Video game developer Electronic Arts said on Wednesday that it has signed an agreement with U.K.-based developer Free Radical Design to publish and distribute the next game in the company's "TimeSplitters" franchise. The title is scheduled for release some time in 2005. Originally released in 2000 with a sequel following in 2002, the "TimeSplitters" franchise has so far sold over 2 million units worldwide.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040121/215615_1.html 
http://www.ea.com 
http://www.frd.co.uk 
http://www.timesplittersgame.com

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> Classifieds:

> Best Cities, Best Job Growth Performers: Where should you be?

As the economy rebounds, some localities are ahead of the curve and some are hoping better economic news will bring them out of an extended slump. Which areas are performing well and helping local businesses thrive despite difficult economic times? Is your area helping you succeed or holding you back? Click here for a full rundown: http://www.e-country.org/techwire.htm
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> Director of Corporate Marketing Communications - Fort Collins, CO

Exciting opportunity with a leader in the semiconductor equipment industry! You will need to have demonstrated experience in branding and positioning, e-marketing, advertising, public/investor relations, trade shows, and sales collateral development. Prefer 10+ years of leadership experience in a corporate marketing role. Need to have big picture thinking and advanced business judgment. MBA preferred. Full relocation provided. Contact: heather.blagg@aei.com
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> Software Engineer

Helps design, prototype, develop, and maintain innovative newsroom automation software and systems integrating text, graphics, audio, video, and machine control for broadcast stations and networks. Manages functional specifications for enhancements/updates, interfacing with development partners. Requires programming in Microsoft Visual Studio and Visual Studio.NET; computer sciences degree or related; PCs and MS Windows products; data communication and LANs, and broadcast news production systems. Travel. Email: apbnchr@ap.org
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> HireStrategy- COO

HireStrategy has been retained by one of its fastest growing client companies to search for a COO. This key executive will drive the national expansion and growth of this growing enterprise. The COO will drive the scaling-up of policies, procedures, structures, processes, systems and infrastructure. The COO will lead, direct and participate in the following activities: Strategic Planning, Operations Management, Sales, and Marketing. Email resume to mmolinas@hirestrategy.com  Visit http://www.hirestrategy.com/quicklinks/hire158.asp
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> Video Production Services

INK Productions offers full service TV, Video, Corporate and event video production. Professional Camera, Editing, Sound, Lighting, Voice & Music. Betacam SP, DVcam, DVCpro, DVD, CD-Rom, VHS and Web Formats. Personalized Services with Competitive Rates. INK Productions "Your Full Service TV & Video Production Source" Ivan N. Katz (703) 521-3090 (703) 626-2383--Visit http://www.inkproductions.net. For more info Email: INKvideo@aol.com
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> Obtain Maximum Value for Your Excess Used Technology Equipment

BIZI International offers a suite of programs to maximize the return on your used excess technology assets. Specialists in Telecommunications and Test and Measurement equipment. Complete Turnkey Solutions for all of your asset liquidation needs. Established in 1985 with global operations. Massachusetts headquarters. Contact Bill at (978) 649-0722 x134 or bmccready@bizinetworks.com  Visit http://www.bizinetworks.com
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> Tech Executive Meeting - Harnessing Metrics to Drive

Burlington, MA - FEB 10: What's in a number? Come meet our esteemed set of panelists for an interactive discussion and case examples of how to harness metrics to drive greater sales results. NETSEA is the premiere not-for-profit organization designed to provide learning and networking opportunities to New England tech executives. Visit: (www.netsea.org)
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> IT Service Management Forum Government Conference & Expo

February 2-7, 2004 - Washington, DC. A Framework for Achieving Operational Excellence in Govt. Information Technology<< An event for Federal, State & Local government agencies and the industry professionals that work with & provide services to them. Conference includes ITSM Pre-Conference Day & Post-Conference Training Classes. Register today and save! http://www.itsmfevent.com
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> Complete Information for Department of Homeland Security

Small businesses wanting to do business with the government face unique challenges when entering the federal marketplace. The 2003- 2004 Directory of Homeland Security includes a detailed list of procurement information and small business government contacts for the various federal departments and agencies. Contact names, titles, phone and fax numbers and descriptions are included in the listings. The Department of Homeland Security portion of the directory has entire section titled, "Doing Business with the Department of Homeland Security." To order the 2003-2004 edition, go to: http://www.tech-directories.com/dmw.htm
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> Artisan Quality Handbags and Jewelry

Marumaru offers artisan quality handbags and jewelry for the savvy and discriminating woman. We specialize in vintage silk kimono purses and offer many elegant jewelry pieces made from bamboo and coral to semi-precious stones. All of our fine products are Asian-inspired and handcrafted in Hawaii, the gateway to Asia. We welcome you. Please visit us at marumarugirl.com . contact: cara@marumarugirl.com  or michael@marumarugirl.com

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About Us
Digital Media Wire, Inc. is a news organization, publisher and events company serving the digital media industry since May 2000. Our daily newsletter delivers original briefings on business, legal and financial developments shaping digital media and read by over 30,000 executives and professionals. To subscribe for free, please click here.

Digital Media Wire, Inc. is part of the Tech Wire Media Group, an international network of publications that includes Digital Media Law Report, 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 70,000 individuals from over 70 countries each business day.

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