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DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- February 13, 2003
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To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com
o FBI Charges 17 In Satellite TV Piracy Ring Under Digital Copyright Act
o Sega to Merge Operations with Japanese Amusement Game Maker Sammy Corp.
o Intel Introduces "Wireless-Internet-On-A-Chip" for Cell Phones
o Music, Movie Industries Publish Corporate Anti-Piracy Policy Guidebook
o Listen.com, Lycos Music Offer $0.49 Per Track CD Burning Promotion
o Report: North American Digital TV Subscribers Hit 20.2 Million in 2002
o Report: U.S. Cell Phone Penetration Reaches 53%
o European Venture Capital Investment Drops Over 50% in 2002
> DMW Digital Music Forum: Keynote Speakers Confirmed
> DMW Publications: January Law and Policy Report
> Featured: Storage Services Summit
o Briefly Noted: Take-Two Interactive - Disney Interactive, Sprint PCS -
V-Star - "1KTV," Nintendo - "Zelda" promotion, Eidos Interactive -
"Backyard Wrestling," Electronic Arts - "The Sims Superstar," Ensequence -
BBC, Greek govt. - electronic games ban
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> Jobs: Web Editor
> Events: Games & Mobile Forum: April 28 | NYC, 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 FBI Charges 17 In Satellite TV Piracy Ring Under Digital Copyright Act
Los Angeles -- The FBI has arrested seventeen alleged satellite TV pirates
and charged them with violating the criminal anti-decryption provisions of
the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), only the second grand jury
indictment under the statute. The defendants, who the FBI said include
several "high-level computer hackers," are software and hardware
developers hailing from California, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, North
Carolina, Ohio and Texas -- who allegedly used online chat rooms to
organize their pirate TV efforts. Ten of those arrested will plead guilty
while the remaining seven will fight the charges, the FBI said. Each faces
a maximum of five years in prison and a $500,000 for their alleged DMCA
violations. "This case demonstrates our commitment to identifying and
prosecuting sophisticated computer hackers who steal the intellectual
property of others for their own economic benefit," said United States
Attorney Debra W. Yang.
http://www.fbi.gov/fieldnews/february/la021103.htm
http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-me-dish12feb12,1,4978377.st
ory?coll=la%2Dheadlines%2Dtechnology
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-984408.html?tag=fd_top
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o Sega to Merge Operations with Japanese Amusement Game Maker Sammy Corp.
Tokyo -- Japanese video games firm Sega announced on Thursday that it
plans to integrate its operations with those of pachinko game machine
manufacturer Sammy Corp., as a means of cutting down on costly game
development expenses. The companies have not yet decided how they will
merge or what form the transaction will take, but expect the merger to be
completed by Oct. 1. Sammy president Hajime Satomi will become president
of the merged company, which will be worth a combined $2.4 billion.
http://www.sega.com
http://www.sammy.co.jp/english
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o Intel Introduces "Wireless-Internet-On-A-Chip" for Cell Phones
Santa Clara, Calif. -- Chipmaker Intel on Thursday introduced a new
"wireless-Internet-on-a-chip," which may be integrated into cell phones to
deliver high-speed multimedia applications while using less battery power.
The company said it "overcame significant technical hurdles associated
with combining the different design and manufacturing technologies for
processing, flash memory and communications functions" with the new chip.
Firms that have pledged their support for the chip include TTPCom,
Esmertec, Elektrobit, ADI, RF Micro Devices, Dialog and Jamdat Mobile.
Cell phone makers from Asia, including Taiwan's MiTAC and Wistron, Korea's
Maxon and China's Ningbo Bird, TCL and Legend Group, have also endorsed
the chip, Reuters reported. Intel said to expect products using the chip
to hit the market late this year or in early 2004.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030213/130047_1.html
http://news.com.com/2100-1001-984427.html?tag=fd_top
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=2219879
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o Music, Movie Industries Publish Corporate Anti-Piracy Policy Guidebook
Brussels -- Trade groups representing the music and movie industries on
Thursday published a corporate guide to preventing copyright infringement
in the workplace, saying they plan to distribute it to Fortune 1000
companies. "A Corporate Policy Guide to Copyright Use and Security on the
Internet," published by the Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA) and Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), "calls on
companies and governments to advise employees against copyright misuse on
computer systems in the workplace, in particular copying and uploading
copyright material to the Internet without permission from the rights
owner." It also spells out the penalties for piracy, including "possible
injunctions, damages, costs and possible criminal sanctions against the
companies and their directors where corporate systems are used for
copyright theft." "We want to advise companies and governments about the
problem of copyright theft in the workplace and how to implement policies
to minimize the risk of this happening over their computer systems," said
Jay Berman, chairman and CEO of the International Federation of the
Phonographic Industry (IFPI).
http://www.ifpi.org/site-content/press/20030213.html
http://www.ifpi.org/site-content/library/copyright-use-and-security-guide-english.pdf
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o Listen.com, Lycos Music Offer $0.49 Per Track CD Burning Promotion
San Francisco -- Listen.com, a provider of digital music subscription
services for consumers, announced on Thursday that it has partnered with
Terra Lycos to offer its subscribers a discount on tracks they burn to CD.
For a limited time, existing members and those who sign up to the Rhapsody
service through Lycos.com or Listen.com by March 31 will pay $0.49 for
each song they burn to CD instead of the industry standard $0.99 per
track. The promotion will last six weeks and covers every song licensed by
San Francisco-based Listen.com, including all major label tracks.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030213/sfth048_1.html
http://www.listen.com
http://music.lycos.com
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o Report: North American Digital TV Subscribers Hit 20.2 Million in 2002
Boston -- The North American cable household market for digital television
services totaled 20.2 million subscribers in 2002, with cable TV operators
Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Charter Communications claiming almost
three-quarters of these among themselves, according to a new report on
digital TV services released on Thursday by Boston-based Trace Strategies.
The report also found that Time Warner Cable owns the largest percentage
(47 percent) of HDTV-ready homes; SeaChange International delivered 52
percent of the 701,000 video-on-demand streams sent in 2002; and
EchoStar's DISH network was the leading provider of digital video recorder
services to North American households, with a 45 percent share, followed
by TiVo with a 38 percent share.
http://www.tracestrategies.com/docs/pr/02132003PR.html
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o Report: U.S. Cell Phone Penetration Reaches 53%
San Francisco. -- A new report by Telephia, a San Francisco-based provider
of mobile communications market research, found that 53 percent of
residents in 44 major U.S. markets now have mobile phone service.
Greenville, S.C. has the highest rate of market penetration, with 71
percent of residents subscribing to a mobile phone service. St. Louis (69
percent), Raleigh, N.C. and Orlando (65 percent), and Atlanta and
Washington, DC (64 percent) round out the top five.
http://www.newsalert.com/bin/story?StoryId=CpKIdubKbytaYoti
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o European Venture Capital Investment Drops More Than 50% In 2002
London -- European startups raised only 4.4 billion euro ($4.8 million) in
venture capital last year, less than half the amount they raised in 2001,
according to a survey by Ernst & Young and VentureOne. Software shared the
limelight with biopharmaceuticals: together, the two segments attracted 53
percent of all the money invested in venture-backed companies. In 2002,
just 35 percent of the venture capital transactions completed were seed
and first rounds; 65 percent were second and later rounds, as VCs
concentrated on stabilizing existing portfolio investments.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030213/sfth006_1.html
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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
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS:
THE BUSINESS SIDE OF STORAGE IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR EXECUTIVE
SUMMIT
http://www.imn.org/2003/a437
February 19-20, 2003, Crowne Plaza Times Square, New York, NY
INCREASE REVENUES, IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AND REDUCE IT COSTS BY ALIGNING IT
AND CORPORATE BUSINESS STRATEGIES.
The Business side of Storage * The Technology side of Storage * Regulatory
Compliance Issues
*COMPLIMENTARY ADMISSION TO THE SPONSOR EXPO FOR THE FIRST 100 BONA FIDE
FINANCIAL EXECUTIVE END-USERS*
http://www.imn.org/2003/a437
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Briefly Noted:
(New York) Take-Two Interactive Software, publisher of the controversial
"Grand Theft Auto" video game franchise, announced on Thursday that it
will expand into children's games through a deal with Disney Interactive.
New York-based Take-Two's Gotham Games unit will publish "Piglet's BIG
Game," featuring characters from Disney's "Winnie the Pooh," for
PlayStation 2 and GameCube this spring.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030213/132025_1.html
http://www.take2games.com
http://www.gothamgames.com
(Overland Park, Kan.) Wireless network operator Sprint PCS announced on
Thursday the launch of a wireless, on-demand multimedia application that
will deliver breaking news video and other content to PCS Vision-enabled
cell phones. Woodland Hills, Calif.-based V-Star will provide its "1KTV"
service to Sprint subscribers, which delivers "television-quality" news,
information and entertainment programming to Java-based phones for $3.95
per month.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030213/cgth013_1.html
http://www.pcsvision.com
http://www.1ktv.com
(Redmond, Wash.) Nintendo of America announced on Thursday a promotion for
the upcoming release of its anticipated "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind
Waker" for the GameCube console. The "Zelda Cubed" offer will reward those
who pre-order the title, due for release on March 24, with a price of
$49.95 for the new Zelda title as well as the Nintendo 64 titles "The
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" and "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of
Time Master Quest" -- an updated version of the game never released
outside of Japan.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/230440125&ticker=
http://www.nintendo.com
(San Francisco) Game developer Eidos Interactive announced on Thursday
that it has partnered with the producers of the "Backyard Wrestling" home
video series to develop "Backyard Wrestling: Don't Try This At Home" for
PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Moorpark, Calif.-based Paradox Development is
currently at work on the titles, which will be published by Eidos this
summer.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030213/sfth027_1.html
http://www.backyardwrestling.com
http://www.eidos.com
http://www.px.com
http://www.bywgame.com
(Redwood City, Calif.) Game developer Electronic Arts on Thursday
announced it will release "The Sims Superstar," an expansion pack for its
top-selling PC game of all time, in May 2003. The game, developed by EA's
Maxis studio, will let players choose whether their Sim becomes a movie
star, rock star or supermodel that lives as a celebrity in the simulated
universe.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030213/130081_1.html
http://thesims.ea.com
(Portland, Ore.) Ensequence, a developer of interactive TV content
production software, announced on Thursday that the BBC has licensed its
authoring products for use in developing its iTV programming.
http://www.ensequence.com
(San Francisco) Wired News on Thursday reported on the continued efforts
of the Greek government to uphold a widely criticized recent law that bans
all forms of electronic games in the country. Intended to ban illegal
gambling games, the law has been thrown out in Greek courts but continues
to affect owners of Internet cafes in the country who are dealing with
raids on their businesses. "I hope the government will see the light and
stop trying to enforce a ridiculous law," EasyInternetcafe founder Stelios
Haji-Ioannou told Wired News. The Greek government continues to defend the
law. "The measure is a tough one, but it is the only effective one, as
ordinary electronic games can easily be converted into illegal games by
the owners of such facilities," said government spokesman Christos
Protopapas.
http://www.wired.com/news/games/0,2101,57305,00.html
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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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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
==========================
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
http://www.earthnative.com
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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
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iTV since the beginning of the 21st Century. Culled from countless
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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
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Contact us to learn more: info@etronica.com
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Digital Media Wire, Inc. leverages its integrated media network to provide
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Editor: Mark Hefflinger
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VP, Marketing and Events: Tinzar Than
Copyright 2003 Digital Media Wire, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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