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DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- February 11, 2003
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To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com
o French Court Acquits Former Yahoo CEO On Sale of Nazi Memorabilia
o Competition From DVDs, Piracy Hit U.K. Music Shipments
o DiscLive, Clear Channel to Sell Concert CDs At Venue After Show Is Over
o Following Sony and Nintendo, Microsoft to Discount Xbox Game Titles
> DMW Digital Music Forum: Keynote Speakers Confirmed
> DMW Publications: January Law and Policy Report
> Featured: I.D. Magazine Call for Entries
o Briefly Noted: MusicBrainz, Game Developers Choice Awards, In Demand -
HDTV VOD, Empire Interactive - "Bad Boys II," Bandai America - Qualcomm,
On Command - New Frontier Media, Digital Orchid - Codere Technology
Network, Faith West - WILAEN, VU Games - "Hunter: The Reckoning Redeemer,"
989 Sports - "World Tour Soccer 2003," THQ - "Pride FC," Acclaim
Entertainment - "Vexx," FullAudio - CEO, "The Copyright Office Comes to
California"
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> Jobs: Web Editor
> Events: Games & Mobile Forum: April 28 | NYC, Homeland & Global
Security Summit
> Marketplace: Multimedia production firm, 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
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o French Court Acquits Former Yahoo CEO On Sale of Nazi Memorabilia
Paris -- Reuters reported on Tuesday that a French criminal court has
acquitted former Yahoo CEO Timothy Koogle on charges that his company
condoned war crimes through the sale of Nazi memorabilia on its auctions
service. Koogle theoretically faced up to five years in prison and a
$49,000 fine. The court ruled Koogle and Yahoo "did not condone or praise
Nazism and that it had not shed favorable light on the policies of Adolf
Hitler," after French Jewish and anti-Semitism groups complained on the
grounds that it is illegal to sell objects with racist overtones in
France. Such items were never offered on Yahoo France but were available
to French users through other Yahoo sites; a U.S. court overturned a
French court ruling that would have made Yahoo block French access to
Nazi-related auctions on Yahoo. The company has since banned the sale of
most Nazi-related items.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=internetNews&storyID=2207461
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o Competition From DVDs, Piracy Hit U.K. Music Shipments
London -- The value of U.K. music shipments dropped by 3.7 percent last
year, according to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Sales are
being hit hard by competition from computer games and DVDs, increasing
economic uncertainty and illegal copying of recorded music. BPI said the
biggest threat to the music industry in the future is domestic piracy as
consumers download files on their home PCs and copy them onto blank CDs.
http://www.bpi.co.uk/introindex.html
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o DiscLive, Clear Channel to Sell Concert CDs At Venue After Show Is Over
New York -- Disc Live, a New York-based start-up music firm, on Tuesday
announced its aim to offer instantly available live discs for sale
immediately after the end of a concert. The CDs may be pre-ordered online
at a band's website, or else ordered from kiosks present at each venue.
Representatives from the company plan to actually tour with each band that
uses the DiscLive service, adding features like autographs and backstage
passes for concertgoers. "For the past few years music industry revenues
have been declining for both labels and artists. Our business provides
both parties a new, risk-free opportunity to extend the investment on
their brand," said Rich Isaacson, CEO of DiscLive and former president of
hip-hop label Loud Records. The company did not disclose the cost for the
service, which artists have signed on to use it, or how much it will
charge for the concert CDs. The Boston Globe recently reported on a
similar service being launched by Clear Channel Concerts, the nation's
largest concert promoter.
http://www.disclive.com/11Feb2003.php
http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/038/living/Instant_live_CDs_of_a_
concert_Testing_to_begin_in_Boston+.shtml
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o Following Sony and Nintendo, Microsoft to Discount Xbox Game Titles
Redmond, Wash. -- After similar announcements from video game developers
Sony and Nintendo, Microsoft on Tuesday announced that it will cut the
prices on a range of popular titles for its Xbox video game console. Under
the "Platinum Hits" program, Microsoft will slash the price to $19.99 for
games including Electronic Arts' " James Bond 007: Agent Under Fire" and
"SSX Tricky;" Rockstar Games' "Max Payne;" Activision's "Tony Hawk's Pro
Skater 3" and Microsoft Game Studios titles "Blood Wake" and "Project
Gotham Racing."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030211/sftu064_1.html
http://www.xbox.com/games/platinumhits
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DMW Presents. DIGITAL MUSIC FORUM
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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.
Featuring: An Interview & Jam Session with the Legendary Les Paul
Confirmed Keynote Speakers:
Lyor Cohen | Chairman & CEO, The Island Def Jam Music Group
Chris Gorog | CEO, Roxio "Why We Purchased Napster"
And panelists from: Sony Music, MTV/VH1, Roxio, Listen.com, FullAudio,
Moviso, Columbia Records, United Musicians, LAUNCHcast/Yahoo!, pressplay,
Astralwerks/EMI, Morpheus/Streamcast Networks, U.S. Copyright Office,
Electric Artists, Audible, Music Choice, Terra Lycos, AT&T Wireless
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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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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==================
FEATURED SECTION
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Featured Section posting at:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/featuredpostingpage.htm
CALL FOR ENTRIES!
I.D. MAGAZINE'S INTERACTIVE MEDIA DESIGN REVIEW
I.D. is accepting entries into the 2003 Interactive Media Design Review.
This competition spotlights the year's most innovative interactive designs
in 7 categories -- from CD-ROMs, DVDs, games and kiosks to software
installations, Web sites and experimental work. Send in your best work --
all winning projects will be featured in the November 2003 issue of I.D.
and posted on our Web site at the same time.
CONTACT INFO: IDcompetitions@fwpubs.com
http://www.idonline.com/specialoffers.asp?DMWA
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Briefly Noted:
(San Luis Obispo, Calif.) MusicBrainz, a developer of open-source music
identification technology, announced on Tuesday the formal launch of its
free music recognition service, a day after a similar pay-for-use service
was launched by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry
(IFPI). MusicBrainz and its sponsors, including Relatable and AgentArts,
are creating a free-to-use "music information commons" where the online
music community creates and maintains a public database of information
about music, enabling definitive recognition of digital music files and
audio CDs. In development since 1998, the MusicBrainz database has now
tagged over 650,000 music tracks.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/230420162&ticker=
http://www.musicbrainz.org
(San Francisco) The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) on
Tuesday announced the nominees for the Third Annual Game Developers Choice
Awards, which will be held during the Game Developers Conference, March
4-8 in San Jose, Calif. Nominees for Game of the Year include Digital
Illusions' "Battlefield 1942;" Rockstar North's "Grand Theft Auto: Vice
City;" Retro Studios' "Metroid Prime;" BioWare Corp.'s "Neverwinter
Nights," and Ubi Soft Montreal's "Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell." A full list
of nominees in all awards categories is available at the link below.
http://www.igda.org/awards/nominations.htm
(New York) In Demand, a provider of video-on-demand and pay-per-view
programming to cable TV operators, announced that it will begin offering
video-on-demand titles in high-definition (HDTV) format in April with HBO
Enterprises' "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." Both New Line Cinema and
DreamWorks have also agreed to distribute titles in HDTV, with offerings
including "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" and "The Ring,"
respectively.
http://www.indemand.com/about/news/news020603_high_defi.jsp
(London) Video game developer Empire Interactive announced that it has
signed an agreement with Sony Pictures Consumer Products to develop games
based on the upcoming Sony film "Bad Boys II," starring Will Smith and
Martin Lawrence. U.K.-based developer Blitz Games will create versions of
the game for PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube. No release dates were given
for the games; the movie is scheduled for release this summer.
http://www.empireinteractive.com/media/press/BadBoys2/BadBoysfinal_6Feb03.doc
http://www.blitzgames.com
http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/badboys2
(Cypress, Calif.) Bandai America, the U.S. arm of the Japanese game
developer, announced on Tuesday it will publish a number of titles for
wireless developer Qualcomm's BREW platform. The initial Bandai offering
includes "3D Bass Fishing," "3D Bowling" and "3D Darts;" the company also
plans to publish many of its well-known franchises later this year.
http://www.bandaiwireless.com
http://www.qualcomm.com/brew
(Denver) On Command, a provider of in-room broadband, video-on-demand and
pay-per-view services to hotels and cruise ships, announced on Tuesday
that it has signed a five-year content agreement with adult video provider
New Frontier Media. Under the terms, New Frontier will provide its
programming for use in Denver-based On Command's video-on-demand service
offerings.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030211/latu017_1.html
http://www.oncommand.com
http://www.noof.com
(San Diego) Wireless application developer Digital Orchid said on Tuesday
it has partnered with Spanish betting and gaming firm Codere Technology
Network, to jointly develop, market and distribute live mobile gaming
applications for wireless devices in Latin America and Europe. Set to
launch in the first half of 2003, initial offerings will include bingo,
roulette, multiplayer poker, progressive slots, keno and black jack, as
well as sports betting and horse racing.
http://www.codere.com
http://www.digitalorchid.com
(San Francisco) Faith West, the U.S. subsidiary of Japanese ringtone
distributor Faith Inc., said on Tuesday that it has added Latin music
ringtones to its offering through a partnership with Miami-based WILAEN
(Wireless Latin Entertainment). San Francisco-based Faith West's Modtones
ringtones service will now include jingles in genres including Salsa,
Latin Pop, Mexican Regional and Bossa Nova.
http://www.modtones.com
(Los Angeles) Vivendi Universal Games and Interplay Entertainment on
Tuesday said they will release "Hunter: The Reckoning Redeemer,"
exclusively for Microsoft Xbox, in the fall of 2003. The game is based on
White Wolf Publishing's pen-and-paper roleplaying game, and will be
developed by Illinois-based game studio High Voltage Software and
co-published by Interplay and VU Games.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030211/latu010_1.html
http://www.high-voltage.com
http://www.white-wolf.com
http://www.interplay.com/wayward
(Foster City, Calif.) 989 Sports, a unit of Sony Computer Entertainment
America, announced on Tuesday that its "World Tour Soccer 2003" title,
exclusively for PlayStation 2, is now available in stores. Sony Computer
Entertainment Europe's London Studios created the titles, which features
13,500 true-life players from national teams as well as international
clubs such as Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool.
http://www.989sports.com
(Calabasas Hills, Calif.) Game developer THQ said on Tuesday it has
released "Pride FC" for PlayStation 2. Developed by Anchor of Japan, the
title is based on the Japanese PRIDE Fighting Championships mixed martial
arts tournaments, produced by Dream Stage Entertainment.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030211/110276_1.html
http://www.thq.com
http://www.pridefc.com
(Glen Cove, N.Y.) Video game developer Acclaim Entertainment said on
Tuesday that it has shipped its "Vexx" title for PlayStation 2, Xbox and
GameCube to retailers. The game was developed by Acclaim's Austin-based
internal development studio. New York-based Acclaim last week received
notice from the Nasdaq that its shares are in danger of being delisted
from the exchange, due to their continued trading below the Nasdaq's $1
minimum share price.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030211/110100_1.html
http://www.vexxthegame.com
(Chicago) FullAudio, a provider of branded digital music subscription
services, announced on Tuesday that it has named Scott Kauffman as
president and CEO. Previously, Kauffman served as CEO of marketing
analytics provider Coremetrics, and was also a founding member of
Entertainment Weekly. Current FullAudio CEO Chris Gladwin will assume the
role of chief operating officer and will continue as a member of the board
of directors. Chicago-based FullAudio's service is distributed by Charter
Communications, Clear Channel Communications, Earthlink and Microsoft's
Windows Media Player.
http://www.fullaudio.com
(Washington) The U.S. Copyright Office announced on Tuesday that it will
host "The Copyright Office Comes to California," providing an update on
the latest Copyright Office law and policy activities, including
rulemakings, legislation, and international activities. Sponsored by the
Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of California and the
Los Angeles Copyright Society, the program will take place March 3 in
Santa Monica, Calif. and March 5 in San Francisco.
http://www.calbar.org/ipsection/index.htm#copy
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===================
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.
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====================
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
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The Homeland & Global Security Summit - March 3-5, Washington DC
Get the latest information on $38 billion in 2003 federal homeland
security spending and $41 billion in 2004 federal homeland security
spending by attending the premier event this year on homeland security.
The Summit features six general sessions (federal programs; funding;
homeland defense; global security; state/local security; IT, Network, and
Communications Security); lucrative break-out sessions on programs and
procurement; and a packed convention floor. March 3-5, Washington
Convention Center. To register: http://www.globalsecurity.bz
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==========================
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
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Drop a line to: hightech@earthnative.com or 323.876.6503
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Top Credentialed Attorney with 9 years of experience representing major
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Digital Media Wire, Inc. leverages its integrated media network to provide
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the convergence of media, entertainment and technology. Digital Media
Wire, the first in a series of business-intelligence publications,
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Digital Media Wire is part of the Tech Wire Media Group, an international
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Editor: Mark Hefflinger
Chief Executive Officer: Ned Sherman
VP, Marketing and Events: Tinzar Than
Copyright 2003 Digital Media Wire, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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