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===================================================
DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- February 7, 2003
===================================================
To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com 

o Publishers Settle Suit Against Pop-Up Software Maker Gator
o NY Times: SBC Emerges as News Corp. Competitor for DirecTV
o Gemstar Settles with DOJ on TV Guide Merger Issues, Will Pay $5.7 Million
o Telco Alcatel Buys Interactive TV Firm IMagicTV for $30 Million
o CEO of Tradeshow Producer IDG World Expo Leaves to Join Rival Gartner
o Firm Looking to Sell Recently-Granted Online Testing Patent
o ICopyright Online Licensing Service Acquired by Reprint Services

> DMW Publications: January Law and Policy Report
> DMW Presents. Digital Music Forum | March 3 | NYC
> Featured: Game Developers Conference 

o Briefly Noted: Ubi Soft - Disney's "The Jungle Book," Warner Music Group
- Barden Digital Video Jukebox, The Guest House Live
_____________________________________________

> Jobs: Web Editor

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

> Marketplace: Multimedia production firm, 2000 Honda Accord,
Entertainment & Corporate Legal Services, Game Industry Report,
iTV Chronicle, 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 Publishers Settle Suit Against Pop-Up Software Maker Gator

Alexandria, Va. -- Some of the nation's largest online news publishers,
including The Washington Post, have settled their case against
California-based Gator Corp., a company they sued in June over third-party
pop-up ads that were appearing on their sites without authorization, the
Associated Press reported on Friday. The publishers, including The New
York Times, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal, had recently won a
preliminary injunction in Alexandria prohibiting Gator from continuing to
deliver the ads to the newspapers' web sites. Terms of the settlement were
not disclosed. Gator makes advertising software that is sometimes bundled
together with free software from other companies. It runs in the
background and delivers advertisements.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40312-2003Feb7.html 
http://www.gator.com 
_____________________________________________

o NY Times: SBC Emerges as News Corp. Competitor for DirecTV

New York -- The New York Times on Friday reported that telephone and
Internet giant SBC Communications has entered "serious negotiations" to
acquire General Motors' DirecTV satellite TV operations in a deal
reportedly worth $10 billion. The Times cited "people close to the talks"
in its story, but neither SBC nor General Motors would specifically
comment on the matter. Following the failed merger of DirecTV and
satellite TV rival EchoStar, which did not pass regulatory antitrust
approval, News Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch emerged as the leading suitor
for DirecTV. Those close to the talks told The Times that General Motors
approached SBC early this year about challenging Murdoch's bid, and that
the two companies have been in talks ever since.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/07/business/07cnd-bird.html 
_____________________________________________

o Gemstar Settles with DOJ on TV Guide Merger Issues, Will Pay $5.7 Million

Pasadena, Calif. -- Gemstar-TV Guide International, a provider of
electronic program guides for digital television, announced that the U.S.
Department of Justice has reached a settlement with the company, related
to its investigation into "unlawful coordination of activities" prior to
Gemstar's merger with TV Guide in July 2000. The government believed that
Gemstar and TV Guide stopped competing with one another in the program
guide market, fixing prices and violating waiting period requirements
while they were hammering out their merger agreement -- practices known as
"gun-jumping." As part of the settlement, which does not include any
admission of wrongdoing from Gemstar, the company will pay the government
$5.7 million. Pasadena-based Gemstar said in a statement that it is
"pleased to have this matter resolved and to be able to maintain its
primary focus on delivering value to Gemstar's customers and
shareholders."
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030206/62445_1.html 
http://www.gemstartvguide.com 
_____________________________________________

o Telco Alcatel Buys Interactive TV Firm IMagicTV for $30 Million

Saint John, New Brunswick -- IMagicTV, a provider of software that lets
telephone companies deliver digital and interactive TV services, announced
on Friday that telecommunications firm Alcatel will acquire the company
for $30 million. Alcatel currently owns approximately 16 percent of
IMagicTV. "By joining forces with Alcatel, our customers benefit by being
able to work with a single partner who can deliver a tightly integrated
and comprehensive IP based video solution," said IMagicTV president and
CEO Gerry Pond. "We have enjoyed a long-standing working relationship with
Alcatel and this merger is a logical and beneficial move for both
parties."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030207/nyf029_1.html 
http://www.alcatel.com 
http://www.imagictv.com 
_____________________________________________

o CEO of Tradeshow Producer IDG World Expo Leaves to Join Rival Gartner

Framingham, Mass. -- Tradeshow promoter IDG World Expo's chief executive
Charlie Greco, who recently led a successful campaign to return the
Macworld Expo 2004 show to Boston, is leaving the company to join rival
tech events producer Gartner Inc. as its senior vice president for
worldwide events. Meanwhile, it is still uncertain whether Apple Computer,
the keystone company of the Macworld show, which moved from Boston to New
York several years ago, will participate in the event. The company has
indicated that it will not participate.
http://www.newsalert.com/bin/story?StoryId=CpKhR0bKbytiWmZi 
http://www.idgworldexpo.com 
http://www.gartner.com 
_____________________________________________

o Firm Looking to Sell Recently-Granted Online Testing Patent

Cleveland, Ohio -- Test.com, a company that was recently granted a patent
that covers the process of distributing and selling tests on the Internet
and sharing revenues received for the test with the test creator, said it
is looking to sell or license the patent to a third party, CNET News.com
reported. Ohio-based Test.com said that the patent could cover technology
currently used by online and traditional learning institutions to give
tests online. The company told News.com that it wants to sell the
technology because it has since switched business models, "prompted by a
weak economy and the lack of interest in a general online testing site."
"We believe [the patent] is pretty valuable," Test.com CEO Jim Posch told
News.com. "We think it will give someone a competitive edge."
http://www.test.com/phoenix/pr_2003_01_28.htm 
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-983709.html?tag=cd_mh 
_____________________________________________

o ICopyright Online Licensing Service Acquired by Reprint Services

Seattle -- Data Depth Corp., which operates iCopyright, a provider of
copyright licensing services for publishers, announced that it has sold
its iCopyright Instant Clearance Service to St. Paul, Minn.-based Reprint
Services. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
ICopyright has tagged over six million articles originally published by
Tribune, Reuters, Dow Jones and others for online licensing. While Reprint
Services will acquire iCopyright's installed base of publishers and end
users, Seattle-based Data Depth will retain ownership of the underlying
technology. "This partnership consummates our goal of integrating the
iCopyright instant licensing platform with a leading custom reprints
supplier. Users now have a one-stop source for licensing online and
off-line content, said Data Depth founder Mike O'Donnell. "This deal also
allows us to focus on enhancing the iCopyright platform and developing the
next generation of copyright licensing solutions."
http://www.datadepth.com 
http://www.reprintservices.com 
http://www.icopyright.com 
_____________________________________________

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==========================================
DMW Publications: January 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 - New Issue
Must-read publication on legal and policy matters related to digital
media. 35+ pages of case summaries, news and analysis, policy updates,
court filings, and exclusive interviews with legal counsel and business
leaders.
Published monthly. January issue on sale now!
**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 Presents. DIGITAL MUSIC FORUM
==========================================

March 3, 2003 | New York City | 9:00AM - 7:00 PM 
Full list of speakers and agenda:
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.
 
Sponsors:
Roxio (http://www.roxio.com)
Gateway (http://www.gateway.com)
Gray Cary (http://www.graycary.com)
BMI (http://www.bmi.com)
ASCAP (http://www.ascap.com)
Audible.com (http://www.audible.com)
Digital Media Law Report (http://www.digitalmedialawreport.com)
Global Entertainment and Media Summit
(http://www.globalentertainmentnetwork.com)

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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_____________________________________________
 
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==================
FEATURED SECTION
==================
Featured Section posting at:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/featuredpostingpage.htm  

Make Better Games

Game Developers Conference
March 4-8, 2003, San Jose, CA

Join the world's leading developers to create the next generation of
games. Five days of more than 300 intensive sessions provide information
and inspiration in visual arts, game design, programming, audio, business
and legal, and production. Companies from around the world demonstrate the
most innovative tools and emerging technologies at the GDC Expo.
Save $25: Register at http://www.gdconf.com using Priority Code DMWENL.

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_____________________________________________

Briefly Noted:

(San Francisco) Video game publisher Ubi Soft Entertainment announced that
it is currently developing two titles based on the classic Disney movie
"The Jungle Book," adapted from the novel by Rudyard Kipling. San
Francisco-based Ubi Soft will release "Disney's The Jungle Book" for Game
Boy Advance and "Disney's The Jungle Book: Rhythm n' Groove" for
PlayStation 2 later this month, to coincide with the release of the Disney
film "The Jungle Book 2."
http://corp.ubisoft.com/pr_release_030204.htm 
http://www.disneyinteractive.com  

(Detroit) Barden Entertainment, a music technology company, said on Friday
that it has licensed music videos owned by Warner Music Group for use with
its first product, the Barden Digital Video Jukebox. Detroit-based Barden
said that its product is designed for use in restaurants, nightclubs,
bars, bowling centers, college unions and transportation terminals, and
that a dozen units are currently undergoing consumer marketplace tests in
southeastern Michigan.
http://www.barden.com.na 

(Atlanta) An Atlanta-area recording studio has set up live webcams and is
offering Web users the opportunity to view and interact with musicians
during recording sessions. The Guest House Live, based in Duluth, Ga.,
currently features an inside look at the recording of an album by Sonic
Whisper, as well as pre-recorded content from local talent. The site also
lets visitors pre-order CDs of recordings they watch being made. "I
believe that international webcast support will be as important as MTV
someday. This opportunity to 'watch as it happens' is a revolutionary way
for fans to participate in the artistic evolution of an artist's life,"
said Georgia Music Industry Association president Cindy Lou Harrington.
http://www.theguesthouselive.com 
_____________________________________________

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

Web Editor

Variety.com is looking for an experienced Web Editor to work on the daily
production of the Los Angeles newspaper's site. You must have excellent
journalism credentials and know the entertainment industry from a business
perspective. You must:  have worked for a content web site, have
journalism in your blood, know Dreamweaver and the AP Style Guide. Hours
vary from noon-midnight, Sun. - Fri. To apply, send a resume, cover
letter, 2 URLS. No word attachments Send to
hrlosangeles2@reedbusiness.com, include the job title WEB EDITOR and job
ID# RBI 505 in the subject.
_____________________________________________

====================
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 

Dangerously Creative EarthNatives for Hire

EarthNative is a film/video and multimedia production company bringing the
sky's limit down to Earth and original creations to you. We provide a
variety of production services for projects or produce completed programs
to suit your style. Stock library available for licensing. Fully equipped
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equipment rental list, editing, graphic artists and directors for hire.

Drop a line to: hightech@earthnative.com or 323.876.6503
http://www.earthnative.com
_____________________________________________

2000 Honda Accord EX Coupe 2D

Take over Lease for 1 1/2 Year @ $330/Month or Buy for $17,700. Excellent
Condition, Low Miles (18,000 miles) and Fully Loaded - A/C, P/T, P/W, T/W,
Cruise Control, Power Seat, Moon Roof, Alloy Wheels, Cassette
player/Single CD/ 6 CD changer, Leather, ABS (4Wheel). Contact: MiMi 
310-292-1573.
_____________________________________________

Entertainment & Corporate Legal Services
 
Top Credentialed Attorney with 9 years of experience representing major
studios, entertainment start-ups, VCs, investment banks and other blue
chip clients provides legal and business consulting for exclusive
clientele at reasonable rates. Services include entity formation, private
equity financings, licensing (entertainment and software products),
trademark registration and disputes, copyright issues and other
transactional and contract law services. Qualified in California and
Texas. Retainer required to commence services. Tel. 323-363-3620.
_____________________________________________

Game Industry Law & Policy Report 

Special industry report covering law & policy matters impacting the game
industry. The 15-page report includes case summaries, news and analysis,
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
_____________________________________________

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
VP, Marketing and Events: Tinzar Than

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