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DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- February 12, 2003
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To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com
o Vivendi Raises $240 Million With Sale of Warrants of USA Interactive
o Venture Capital Investments In 2002 At Lowest Level Since 1981
o Nintendo Seizes 300,000 Pirated Game Boy Products in Chinese Raids
o Yahoo Partners With BT Group To Offer Broadband in the U.K.
o Electronic Arts Buys Stake in Swedish Developer Digital Illusions
o Game Publisher Crave to Sell Some Assets, Focus On Value-Priced Games
> DMW Digital Music Forum: Keynote Speakers Confirmed
> DMW Publications: January Law and Policy Report
> Featured: I.D. Magazine Call for Entries
o Briefly Noted: Match.com - AT&T Wireless, Sony's "Amplitude" - new
bands, Loudeye - CEO - Boeing, Netflix - distribution centers, "EverQuest
Online Adventures," Konami - "Yu-Gi-Oh!," International Virtual Medical
School, Beatnik - Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, FastVDO -
Xybernaut, Sorrent - DuraTrax, Summus - ABCNews.com, Bell Labs Australia -
broadband wireless chip
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> Jobs: Web Editor
> Events: Games & Mobile Forum: April 28 | NYC, Homeland & Global
Security Summit, Global Entertainment & Media 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 Vivendi Raises $240 Million With Sale of Warrants of USA Interactive
Paris -- As part of its bid to raise cash, Vivendi Universal said on
Wednesday that it has entered into an agreement to sell 28 million
warrants of USA Interactive to an affiliate of Deutsche Bank. The share
price of Vivendi fell about 7 percent on the news. Under the transaction,
Universal will receive about $240 million in cash. Warrants, which are
similar to options, allow their owners to buy stock in a company at a
pre-established price.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030212/122270_1.html
http://www.thestreet.com/_tsclsii/tech/earnings/10068438.html
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o Venture Capital Investments In 2002 At Lowest Level Since 1981
Arlington, Va. -- With a net fund-raising total of $1.9 billion, the
amount of venture capital investments in 2002 dropped 95 percent from 2001
and saw their lowest levels since 1981, according to data compiled by
Thomson Venture Economics for the National Venture Capital Association.
The report shows 108 venture capital funds raised $6.9 billion during
2002; however, 26 funds refunded a total of $5 billion to investors,
making for a net total of $1.9 billion. By contrast, 2001 saw net total
investments of $40.7 billion, while during the year 2000, when dot-com
investments saw their peak, the net total reached $107 billion.
http://www.nvca.org/pdf/fundraising_2002_Final.pdf
http://www.ventureeconomics.com
http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,57632,00.html
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o Nintendo Seizes 300,000 Pirated Game Boy Products in Chinese Raids
Redmond, Wash. -- Nintendo of America announced that three piracy raids
conducted in China last month yielded 300,000 copies of pirated Game Boy
Advance software, including counterfeit versions of "Pokemon Ruby" and
"Pokemon Sapphire." Nintendo said it seized over one million pirated
products in 2002, and estimated that lost sales from pirated products it
did not seize cost the company and its partners $649 million last year.
"Nintendo has never been more aggressive in protecting our unique global
brand and our key intellectual properties and China can expect the largest
share of our attention again in 2003," said Nintendo of America
anti-piracy director Jodi Daugherty.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?bw.021103/230420530
http://www.nintendo.com
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o Yahoo Partners With BT Group To Offer Broadband in the U.K.
London -- In it first foray into Europe's competitive broadband market,
Yahoo announced on Wednesday a partnership with BT Group to jointly
promote high-speed Internet access. The new service, called Yahoo! UK
Plus, will give BT broadband customers multiple e-mail accounts, digital
photo storage, anti-virus software and firewall security. Broadband
Internet access and subscription services are at the heart of Yahoo's
long-term strategy to lessen its dependence on declining Internet
advertising.
http://shorterlink.com/?8Y9IYM
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o Electronic Arts Buys Stake in Swedish Developer Digital Illusions
Redwood City, Calif. -- Game developer Electronic Arts announced on
Wednesday that it has made a strategic investment and acquired a minority
stake in Digital Illusions (DICE), a Sweden-based game developer. The
company also signed a long-term agreement to become the exclusive
worldwide publisher of DICE titles. Redwood City, Calif.-based Electronic
Arts recently partnered with DICE to publish "Battlefield 1942," a popular
online multiplayer game that is now distributed in over 36 countries and
has shipped more than 900,000 units to date.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030212/120065_1.html
http://www.ea.com
http://www.dice.se
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o Game Publisher Crave to Sell Some Assets, Focus On Value-Priced Games
Los Angeles -- Video game publisher Crave Entertainment Group announced on
Wednesday that it is currently in talks to sell off components of its
entire frontline development project portfolio, as the company changes its
strategy to focus exclusively on publishing value-priced titles.
Previously responsible for publishing titles like "UFC Throwdown" and "Men
In Black," Los Angeles-based Crave said it will use the proceeds from the
sales of its development assets to acquire value products for next
generation consoles, typically priced at $19.99 and under in the
marketplace.
http://www.cravegames.com
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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"
Steve Rennie | REN Management (Artist Manager for Platinum-selling
Incubus)
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
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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:
(Dallas) Online personals site Match.com said on Wednesday that it has
partnered with wireless network operator AT&T Wireless to offer wireless
dating, matching and communication capabilities to AT&T mMode subscribers.
The Match Mobile service uses Iceland-based Landmat's location-based
technology as well as distribution technology from Vivendi Universal's
Moviso unit. The service -- which is available for an introductory price
of $4.99 per month -- will also offer chat features through text-messaging
in the near future.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030212/law055_1.html
http://www.match.com
(Foster City, Calif.) Sony Computer Entertainment America announced on
Wednesday that it has signed a number of additional acts to provide music
for its upcoming music-based game for PlayStation 2, "Amplitude."
Developed by Cambridge, Mass.-based Harmonix Music Systems, the game
"allows players to become a rhythmical DJ and jam with more than 20
diverse songs in virtual, vibrant interactive musical environments while
mixing and remixing hit songs in both offline and online gameplay." Songs
from Blink 182, P.O.D., Mekon, Freezepop and Dieselboy have been added to
a roster that includes music from David Bowie, Garbage and Weezer.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030212/law023_1.html
http://www.harmonixmusic.com
(Seattle) Loudeye Technologies, a provider of audio sampling and other
streaming media services, announced that its chairman and CEO John Baker
has resigned his positions. The company said that Philip J. Gioia, former
CEO of several Bay Area technology firms, has been appointed president and
chief executive officer while Charles P. Waite Jr. has been appointed
chairman of the board. Separately, Seattle-based Loudeye announced that
The Boeing Company will use its services to webcast a number of its
upcoming rocket launches.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030204/sftu099_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030211/sftu050_1.html
http://www.boeing.com/delta
http://www.loudeye.com
(Los Gatos, Calif.) Online DVD rental service Netflix announced on
Wednesday that it has opened two new distribution centers, which will
serve the greater Philadelphia and Newark, N.J. areas. The company now
operates 15 distribution centers, and plans to open two new centers per
month with the goal of providing generally next-day service to 70 percent
of its members by the end of the year. Los Gatos, Calif.-based Netflix
currently claims 850,000 subscribers for its service.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030212/sfw037_1.html
http://wwww.netflix.com
(San Diego) Sony Online Entertainment announced on Wednesday that its
"EverQuest Online Adventures" title for PlayStation 2 is available in
stores today. The PS2 version of the company's popular massively
multiplayer online roleplaying game comes with a free 30-day subscription
to the online network; thereafter the game carries a monthly subscription
fee of $9.99 per person. The PC version of the game currently claims
430,000 paying subscribers.
http://everquestonlineadventures.com
(Redwood City, Calif.) Video game developer Konami of America said on
Wednesday that it has shipped its "Yu-Gi-Oh! Dungeon Dice Masters" title
for Nintendo Game Boy Advance to retailers. The game is the first to be
based on the dice game played by characters in the popular Japanese anime
"Yu-Gi-Oh!" TV series. Konami said it has shipped a total of 3.1 million
"Yu-Gi-Oh!" games in North America since the series premiered on U.S. TV
in March 2002.
http://www.konami.com/usa/press/yugiohdungeondice021103.html
http://www.yugiohkingofgames.com
(Dundee, Scotland) The University of Dundee said that it plans to create a
virtual medical school to train doctors over the Internet. The University
plans to spend $4 million bringing resources from more than 50 of the
world's top medical schools to create the International Virtual Medical
School. The school is the first attempt to use distance learning to train
doctors. It has the backing of leading institutions such as Harvard
Medical School and the U.S. Board of Medical Examiners.
http://shorterlink.com/?PBS2Y7
http://www.dundee.ac.uk
(San Mateo, Calif.) Beatnik, a developer of audio software for mobile
devices, announced on Wednesday that Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications
is using the Beatnik Audio Engine in its new Symbian-based P800 mobile
phone and in other future products. San Mateo, Calif.-based Beatnik's
technology lets users download high-fidelity musical ringtones, play games
with realistic sound effects, send audio-enhanced multimedia messages and
assign custom sounds to common phone tasks.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/230432134&ticker=
http://www.beatnik.com
http://www.sonyericsson.com/p800
(Columbia, Md.) FastVDO, a provider of rich media and bandwidth management
technologies, said on Wednesday that it will partner with Virginia-based
Xybernaut, a maker of wearable computer products, to develop devices that
will bring high-quality video to mobile users. The companies are touting
several potential uses for the technology, including surveillance, video
conferencing, video-on-demand, remote training, video journalism and
interactive marketing, among others.
http://shorterlink.com/?WGUOU1
http://www.fastvdo.com
http://www.xybernaut.com
(San Mateo, Calif.) Wireless game developer Sorrent said on Wednesday that
it partnered with DuraTrax, the maker of radio control cars and other
hobby products, to develop "DuraTrax Mobile RC" for mobile phones. The
game is available now to owners of Java and BREW-based phones who are
subscribers to major U.S. carriers including AT&T Wireless and Nextel.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/230430094&ticker=
http://www.sorrent.com
http://www.duratrax.com
(Raleigh, N.C.) Wireless application developer Summus announced on
Wednesday that it partnered with Disney's ABCNews.com and ESPN.com to
develop mobile applications for ABC News and ESPN's X Games. The services
will use North Carolina-based Summus' BlueFuel platform to deliver
photo-rich multimedia news and updates to subscribers of carriers
including AT&T Wireless, Verizon Wireless, Alltel and U.S. Cellular.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030212/122064_1.html
http://www.summus.com
(San Francisco) Wired News on Wednesday reported on a new wireless chip
developed by Bell Labs in Australia that yields data speeds of 24 megabits
per second -- faster than even a home broadband connection. The chip,
which could be used in phones on 3G networks, would allow users to conduct
real-time videoconferences and send and receive multimedia applications
like MP3 files, video clips and PowerPoint presentations. "We're talking
about data rates competitive with the most advanced broadband wired
modems," Chris Nicol, lead researcher on the "turbo decoder chip" for Bell
Labs, told Wired News.
http://www.wired.com/news/wireless/0,1382,57641,00.html
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CLASSIFIEDS - JOBS
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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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Global Entertainment & Media Summit
February 28-March 2, New York City
The Global Entertainment and Media Summit returns to New York City for a
productive three days of conferences, workshops and keynotes all
dedicated to helping to facilitate the growth of our industries. Keynotes
include Danny Goldberg, Dave Marsh, Lee Abrams of XM Satellite Radio and
Jack Healey, of the Human Rights Action Center--formerly of Amnesty
International. The event will feature over 20 productive panel sessions
over the course of the three-day event.
Show dates are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 28, March 1 and March
2. Registration is $75 per person and includes admission to all events.
Details: http://www.globalentertainmentnetwork.com
Schedule: http://www.globalentertainmentnetwork.com/schedule.htm
Tickets: http://www.globalentertainmentnetwork.com/tickets.htm
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CLASSIFIEDS - MARKETPLACE
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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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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
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Entertainment & Corporate Legal Services
Top Credentialed Attorney with 9 years of experience representing major
studios, entertainment start-ups, VCs, investment banks and other blue
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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.
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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
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
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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
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:
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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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