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January 27, 2005 -- About Us | Advertise | Events | Publications | Subscribe

Main Stories
o RealNetworks Narrows Quarterly Loss on Record Revenues
o Electronic Arts Lays Off 60 Game Developers at Los Angeles Studio
o Norway's Supreme Court Outlaws Linking to Unauthorized MP3 Files
o Amazon's A9.com Launches Digital Yellow Pages With Storefront Pictures
o Online Poker Firm PartyGaming Considering U.K. Flotation
o EU Launches Program to Promote Digital Content Market

> DMW Announcements:
--Digital Music Forum - March 2, 2005  

> Featured Advertisement:
--Billboard Music & Money Symposium - March 3, 2005
 

o Briefly Noted: U.S. Copyright Office - "orphan works," LodgeNet - CSM Lodging, "Nintendo Pennant Chase Baseball," THQ - NFL - "Juiced," Namco - Gumby, "Need for Speed Underground 2" - Nintendo DS, "Eyes on the Prize" documentary series - file-sharing networks
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> Job/Event/Marketplace Classifieds:
--Vice President of Business Development
--Senior Web Strategy Consultant - NavigationArts - DC
--Sr. Product Marketing Manager - Services
--Online Traffic Coordinator - Charlestown, MA
--Strategic Account Manager - E-business and Games
--Director - Online Panel (Research)
--Web Consulting/Business Development Manager, iapps Division
--Senior Manager of Business Development
--Public Relations Account Manager - Andover, MA
--Senior Account Executive - Technology PR
--OSDL Enterprise Linux Summit - Jan. 31 - Feb. 2, 2005
--Tech Global Venture Congress 2005 - Jan. 27-28
--PwC Global Entertainment and Media Outlook: 2004-2008
 


o RealNetworks Narrows Quarterly Loss on Record Revenues

Seattle -- Media delivery technology provider RealNetworks on Thursday announced that it narrowed its loss to $1 million, or $0.01 per share for the fourth quarter of 2004, on record revenue of $72.5 million -- up 34% from the fourth quarter of 2003. The company said it would have seen a profit had it not incurred $3 million in legal fees from its ongoing antitrust lawsuit against rival Microsoft. RealNetworks also said its expects to spend about $15 million on the suit during 2005, when it forecasts revenue will grow 16%-20% to between $310 and $320 million, up from the $266.7 million reported for 2004. "We are pleased to report another quarter of record revenue, driven by rapid growth in our Consumer Business, particularly games and music," said RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser. The company said it now counts more than 700,000 subscribers to its music subscription services, up from the 350,000 reported at the end of 2003. RealNetworks' digital music services provided $21.6 million in revenue for the fourth quarter, while its revenue for its online games unit totaled $10.1 million.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050126/sfw070_1.html 
http://tinyurl.com/4y37m 
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o Electronic Arts Lays Off 60 Game Developers at Los Angeles Studio

Los Angeles -- Video game publisher Electronic Arts has laid off 60 game developers from its Los Angeles studio as part of a restructuring, a company spokeswoman told Reuters on Thursday. The company said that the cuts come as it prepares to begin developing games for the next generation of video game consoles. Redwood City, Calif.-based Electronic Arts will not take any charges to account for severance pay or other associated fees for the layoffs, which will reduce the number of developers at EA's Los Angeles facilities to 320.
http://tinyurl.com/5lftv 
http://www.ea.com 
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o Norway's Supreme Court Outlaws Linking to Unauthorized MP3 Files

Oslo, Norway -- The Supreme Court of Norway on Thursday upheld the conviction of a student who published a website that featured links to other sites where users could download unauthorized MP3 music files, the Associated Press reported. The student created his Napster.no site (not related to Napster) in 2001 as part of a school project, linking to 170 free music files. Norwegian record label trade group Tono and the Norway units of Sony Music, Universal Music and others then sued for copyright infringement. A lower court found for the music industry, while an appeals court cleared the student; the high court's reversal will result in the student paying $15,900 in compensation to the labels. "The supreme court decided the case based on responsibility for abetting (an illegal act)," the court said in its ruling. While no U.S. court ruling has specifically outlawed simply publishing links to third-party sites that host MP3 files for download, a high-profile case found that a man who published links to a code that can crack the anti-piracy technology on DVDs aided copyright infringement and banned such links. The Hollywood studios also recently launched a legal campaign against European operators of servers for file-sharing services like BitTorrent and eDonkey, which provide links to available files on the peer-to-peer networks.
http://tinyurl.com/3jb4w 
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o Amazon's A9.com Launches Digital Yellow Pages With Storefront Pictures

Seattle -- Online retail giant Amazon.com announced on Thursday that its A9.com shopping search engine has launched A9.com Yellow Pages, a feature that adds digital pictures of storefronts of businesses and the ability to call the shops directly over the Internet. The project launched with a library of photos of about 20 million businesses in 10 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Atlanta. The service also offers a "Block View," where users can pan left and right to view adjacent businesses on the street. "You can virtually walk down the street in any direction," A9 Chief Udi Manber told CNET News.com. "This is a way to see the yellow pages, not just read them." Amazon licensed business listings from Axciom for the project, and is using technology from eStara that allows users to make Internet-based phone calls to listed businesses.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050127/275658_1.html 
http://tinyurl.com/47ly4 
http://www.a9.com 
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o Online Poker Firm PartyGaming Considering U.K. Flotation

London -- According to the Financial Times, U.K.-based PartyGaming, currently the largest online poker company in the world, is considering an initial public offering (IPO) on the London stock exchange. Analysts estimate that the listing would generate as much as $9.5 billion, which would make it the largest listing in London in more than three years. "PartyGaming has a leading market position, proven technology and is generating significant levels of profit and operating cash flow," said CEO Richard Segal. Segal added that his company had hired investment banks Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and Investec to review its options, with an IPO being "one of the options" under consideration. PartyGaming runs three main brands (PartyPoker, StarluckCasino and PartyBingo) that currently account for more than half the global online poker market.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?Y2AC4165A 
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o EU Launches Program to Promote Digital Content Market

Brussels -- The European Parliament has approved a new program to encourage the development of multi-lingual content for innovative, online services across Europe. Dubbed eContentplus, the program will have a budget of more than $194 million between 2005 and 2008. The Parliament said the program would tackle fragmentation in the European digital content market and improve the accessibility and usability of geographical information, cultural content and educational material. "The Internet offers a unique opportunity for content companies to outgrow their so far mostly national markets," said EU information society and media commissioner Vivian Reding. "The eContentplus program will facilitate the production and distribution of online European content, thus stimulating innovation and creativity."
http://www.cordis.lu/econtent 

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>DMW Events:

 



5th Annual Digital Music Forum
March 2, 2005 | New York City
www.digitalmusicforum.com

Digital Music Forum is the premier event for music industry decision-makers focused on business models and legal issues impacting music. The annual event brings together decision-makers from records labels, music publishers, producers and distributors, technology companies, wireless companies, rights organizations, industry bodies, radio, advertising, attorneys, artists investors and venture capitalists to examine the role of digital technologies in the future of music.

FEATURED INTERVIEW:
Shawn Fanning - Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Snocap
with Chris Anderson - Editor-in-Chief, Wired
Mike Conte - General Manager, MSN Marketplaces, Microsoft
with
Paul Brindley - Managing Director, MusicAlly

KEYNOTES:
Terry McBride - CEO, Nettwerk Productions
David Goldberg - VP & General Manager, Music, Yahoo!

PANELISTS:

Brad Duea - President, Napster
Jeffrey Bronikowski - VP, Bus. Dev., eLabs, Universal Music Group
Ted Cohen - SVP, Digital Development & Distribution, EMI Music
Thomas Gewecke - SVP, Digital Business Group, Sony BMG
Mike Gaumond - VP & General Manager, Motorola Media Solutions
Brian Garrity - Senior Editor, Billboard
Shahid Khan - Managing Director, BearingPoint
David Kusek - VP, Berklee Media, Berklee College of Music
Gerd Leonhard - Co-Author, "The Future of Music" /
Senior Advisor, Sony Net Services
Phil Corwin - Chief Lobbyist, Sharman Networks (owner of Kazaa)
Martin J. Elgison - Partner, Intellectual Property, Alston & Bird
Steve Marks - General Counsel, RIAA
Jonathan Potter - Executive Director, Digital Media Association
Robert Acker - VP, RealPlayer & Music Services, Real Networks
Gary Cohen - President, MusicNow
Peter Diemer - VP Sales & Marketing, Musicrypt.com
David Card - VP & Senior Analyst, Jupiter Research
John Kilcullen - President & Publisher, Billboard
Ned Sherman - CEO, Digital Media Wire
Nancy Beaton - GM, Wireless Music & Personalization, Sprint
Ralph Simon - Chairman of Americas, Mobile Entertainment Forum
Don Teague - VP of Sales & Marketing, PaymentOne
Additional speakers & keynoters to be announced


PANEL TOPICS INCLUDE:

  • THE STATE OF THE DIGITAL UNION: The Outlook for Online & Mobile Music Markets
  • LAWYERS, GEEKS & MONEY: The Clash Between Technology & Copyright Law
  • THE ONLINE MUSIC MARKET: Competition, Business Models & Courting Consumers in a Crowded Market
  • THE MOBILE MUSIC MARKET: What Does the Future Hold for this Booming Market?

For more information click here
To register click here.

REGISTRATION
Pre-registration rate: $295 (until February 4th)
Registration rate: $395 (after February 4th)

Register online at http://kb.digitalmediawire.com/register.php?eventid=1092

Phone registration: 323-822-0936


To submit speakers for or request information about exhibiting or sponsoring at the 2005 conferences, please contact Tinzar Than, VP, Marketing & Events, Digital Media Wire, Inc. at: tinzar@digitalmediawire.com.
 

Past Events | Sponsorship Materials | Partners & Clients


 

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> Featured Advertisement:
                                                  

>Billboard Music & Money Symposium - March 3, 2005

 

The 4th annual Music & Money Symposium will take place Thursday, March 3, at The St. Regis Hotel in the heart of midtown Manhattan. As in past years, The Symposium will attract thought leaders from the music, legal, management and Wall Street communities for a thorough examination of trends and opportunities in music and digital entertainment.

This year's Symposium will include a candid, one-on-one discussion between Loeb & Loeb co-chairman John Frankenheimer and Sony BMG Music Entertainment CEO Andrew Lack. These two giants of the biz will explore the challenge of merging Sony and BMG, while providing an aerial view of music's future. Additionally, the event will feature all-star panel discussions that will explore a host of crucial topics and networking opportunities such as a breakfast, lunch and cocktail hour.

For more information and to register online, please visit: www.billboardevents.com or contact Kelly at kpeppers@billboard.com or (646) 654-4643.

Attendees of the Digital Music Forum will receive 25% off the registration rate for the Billboard Music & Money Symposium.
 

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o Briefly Noted:

(Washington) The U.S. Copyright Office announced on Thursday that it is seeking comments on the issues raised by "orphan works," or those copyrighted works whose owners are difficult or even impossible to locate for licensing permissions and royalty payments. "Uncertainty surrounding ownership of such works might needlessly discourage subsequent creators and users from incorporating them in new creative efforts or making such works available to the public," the Copyright Office said in its notice. Comments regarding whether orphan works merit a legislative, regulatory or other solution are due by March 25.
http://www.copyright.gov/fedreg/2005/70fr3739.html

(Sioux Falls, S.D.) LodgeNet, a provider of in-room broadband and interactive TV services to hoteliers, said on Thursday that it signed a long-term agreement with CSM Lodging to provide services to its hotels. CSM owns and operates 34 Marriott, Hilton and Carlson hotels in the U.S. South Dakota-based LodgeNet currently serves 985,000 rooms in 5,900 hotels.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050127/cgth043_1.html 
http://www.lodgenet.com

(Redmond, Wash.) Nintendo of America announced on Thursday that it will release "Nintendo Pennant Chase Baseball" for the GameCube -- a title featuring official MLB players, ballparks and statistics -- on April 4. Developed by Canada-based Exile Interactive and Nintendo, the game will feature David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox as cover athlete, as well as voice talent from veteran sportscasters Bob Brenly, Rick Rizzs and Tom Hutyler.
http://tinyurl.com/53um9 
http://www.exileinteractive.com 
http://www.pennantchasebaseball.com

(Calabasas Hills, Calif.) Video game publisher THQ Wireless announced on Thursday that it has partnered with the National Football League (NFL) on a cross-carrier promotion that will let fans vote for the most valuable player during Super Bowl XXXIX with their cell phones. The voting technology will be provided by THQ's MINICK USA mobile messaging unit. Separately, THQ said on Thursday that it will release "Juiced," the street racing game it acquired in late 2004 from now-defunct publisher Acclaim, in May 2005. The company added that it has made several upgrades to the title, which will be released for PlayStation 2, Xbox and the PC.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050127/lath053_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050127/lath069_1.html 
http://www.thq.com 
http://www.minick.net

(Santa Clara, Calif.) Japanese video game publisher Namco Hometek announced on Thursday that it has acquired an exclusive license from Prema Toy Co., Inc. to develop games based on the children's claymation character Gumby, created 50 years ago by filmmaker Art Clokey. The deal also allows Namco to feature Gumby, Pokey, the Blockheads and other associated characters in cameos for other upcoming Namco titles.
http://www.namco.com 
http://www.gumbyworld.com

(Redwood City, Calif.) Electronic Arts announced on Thursday that it will release a version of its "Need for Speed Underground 2" title for the Nintendo DS handheld in the spring of 2005. The title is currently being developed in Vancouver by EA Canada.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050127/275303_1.html 
http://www.needforspeed.com

(San Francisco) Wired News reported on Thursday that digital copyrights consumer advocacy group Downhill Battle is digitizing the civil rights movement documentary series "Eyes on the Prize" for distribution on file-sharing services. The series, which contains many copyrighted music and video clips, can no longer be broadcast on TV and has not been distributed on DVD, due to copyright restrictions -- existing only on VHS tapes held mainly by schools and libraries. Downhill Battle is encouraging people to download the film from the Internet and host screenings in their city on Feb. 8, in honor of Black History Month.
http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,66410,00.html
http://www.downhillbattle.org/eyes 
 
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> Classifieds -- Advertise

> Vice President Business Development

Movielink (www.movielink.com) is a joint-venture that was created by Warner Brothers, Paramount, Sony, MGM and Universal Studios to establish a new channel of video distribution over new digital networks. To date, Movielink has led industry efforts to create new channels of IP distribution that leverage the benefits of digital platforms through partnerships with companies such as AOL, Bell South, Charter Communications, HP, Intel, Microsoft, Real Networks, Road Runner/Time Warner Cable, SBC and Verizon. Contact: sonny.guraya@movielink.com
_________________

> Senior Web Strategy Consultant - NavigationArts - DC

The Senior Web Strategy Consultant will have the responsibility of designing strategies for both business-to-business and business-to- consumer web applications; and recommend leading edge solutions and technologies across multiple platforms, creating end-to-end solutions. Please submit your resume to tsmith@navigationarts.com or view this position on the web at http://www.navigationarts.com/careers/opening_int_strat.asp
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> Sr. Product Marketing Manager - Services

Wind River is seeking a self-motivated individual with extensive product marketing experience to drive a successful enterprise-level marketing plan for our Wind River Design Services. Require: Min. 8 years of broad software or technology marketing exp. and at least 2 yrs exp. in marketing or business development for device software or enterprise applications. Must excel in articulating complex value propositions to sophisticated business customers; demonstrated ability to open new markets and launch new products and services. Must be self sufficient. Bachelors degree required; Advanced degree desirable. Send resumes to duncan.macmurdy@windriver.com
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> Online Traffic Coordinator - Charlestown, MA

Smarter Living, Inc is an online travel publishing company located in Boston. We are seeking hardworking, motivated, and detail oriented Online Traffic Coordinator with 1-2 years of ad trafficking experience. Understanding of ad- serving technologies and knowledge of basic HTML are strongly recommended, understanding of online media (CPM, CPC, and CPA environment). Attention to detail, precision data input, often under time pressure, is essential, strong interpersonal skills, the traffic coordinator will interact extensively with many group individuals within the company, Good analytical skills, Bachelor's Degree. Send resumes to careers@smarterliving.com
_________________

> Strategic Account Manager - E-business and Games

Boonty is an international company which develops and sells a premium service video game downloading platform to major Internet Access Providers and Portals. Your primary target: increase sales on our partner's websites. In coordination with the Sales director, you will work closely with our US partners (ISP, portals) More info here.
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> Director - Online Panel (Research)

The Director will lead a team of people who deliver many key aspects of our ZoomPanel product. ZoomPanel is a MarketTools proprietary online panel community. Require: 3-5 years Direct Marketing background. Internet marketing, consumer promotions or marketing research experience preferred. Some classical brand management experience at major packaged goods companies preferred. Creative problem solving skills a must. International business experience and foreign language skills a plus. Strong communication skills, oral and written, required. Must have the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously. Bachelors degree required, MBA strongly preferred. Please email your resume and salary history/requirements to hr@markettools.com
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> Web Consulting/Business Development Manager, iapps Division

iapps is searching for a Web Consulting/Business Development Manager for our Washington DC office. You will be responsible for sales, cultivating new client opportunities and growing our existing client base. Must be very experienced identifying clients' web challenges and developing detailed written technical specifications for pending client engagements. Strong presentation skills required. Knowledge of philanthropic/non-profit sector helpful. Send resumes to jobs@iapps.com
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> Senior Manager of Business Development

Small but growing media software company, backed by leading venture firms, seeks a business development manager to expand the company's strategic software and technology partnerships and develop new revenue opportunities. This person will identify potential customers, present solutions to senior media executives, and manage the BD process through contract negotiation. Significant travel is required. MBA and 5 years BD exp. preferred. Send resumes to jobs@lightningcast.com
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> Public Relations Account Manager - Andover, MA

PAN Communications is a full-service, independent public relations agency dedicated to increasing its clients' visibility, market share and profits. Based in Andover, MA, this mid-size firm has a nationwide client base and specializes in creating and executing public relations programs for Technology, Professional Services, Trade Show and Consumer clients. The ideal candidate will have 5 to 7 years experience in high technology public relations preferably in an agency setting and a B.S./B.A. or equivalent is required. Proven managerial experience is a must. Please send your resume to HR@pancomm.com. Visit our website at http://www.pancommunications.com
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> Senior Account Executive - Technology PR

LaunchSquad, a tech-focused PR firm in San Francisco, is seeking a high- energy, experienced media relations professional to join our team. The senior account executive will work directly with LaunchSquad's managing partners on several of the company's clients. Duties will include writing, media pitching, strategic planning, client relations, new business activities, and other general client work. Require 3 to 7 years of tech PR exp., strong written and verbal communications skills, strong media pitching skills, Analyst relations exp., Client mgmt skills. Visit http://www.launchsquad.com for more info. Please send a resume and cover letter to thesquad@launchsquad.com
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> OSDL Enterprise Linux Summit

The OSDL Enterprise Linux Summit is the source of Linux deployment information. This unique conference brings together Linux system administrators and architects, corporate developers, ISVs and vendors who want to explore practical solutions for accelerating Linux deployment and increasing Linux business across the enterprise. Jan 31- Feb 2, 2004, Hyatt Hotel, Burlingame, California http://www.osdllinuxsummit.org/btw
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> Tech Global Venture Congress 2005 - Jan. 27-28

The Technology Global Venture Congress is a two-day conference designed to address the venture capital landscape, identify current trends in innovation, learn key technologies and scientific discoveries and discover emerging Technology companies. More than 35 participating VC speakers, 8 panel discussions, VIP Cocktail reception and networking. Jan 27- 28, Madison Square Garden , NYC. Special discounted rate ($450) for Tech Wire subscribers. Register here. Send inquiries to tech@saeclub.com
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> PwC Global Entertainment and Media Outlook: 2004-2008

PricewaterhouseCoopers Global Entertainment and Media Outlook: 2004-2008 is the leading global entertainment and media industry forecast, including in-depth global analyses and five-year growth projections for 14 industry segments covering every major global region. The complete 550-page book, is available in print or electronic format. The 50 page "Global Overview" (available in print or electronic format)or any of the 14 individual industry segment chapters (electronic format only) can be purchased separately for $95. For sample content and to order, click here.
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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.

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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Chief Executive Officer: Ned Sherman
VP, Marketing & Events: Tinzar Than
Editor: Mark Hefflinger


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