Connecting People & Knowledge - Since May 2000
   
Today's Sponsor

MUSIC CHOICE - Where Music Happens
* Programs 45 non-stop music channels, reaching over 30 million digital cable and satellite TV households
* Distributes exclusive televised concerts for 42 million cable and satellite TV homes
More information


February 19, 2004 -- About Us | Advertise | Events | Publications | Subscribe

Main Stories
o New Jersey Woman Sues RIAA for Extortion Under Racketeering Laws
o FBI "Anti-Piracy" Label to Feature on Music, Movies, Software, Games
o Study: Teen-Rated Games Feature Content Not Consistent with Rating
o U.K. ISP Telewest Developing "Scent Dome" for PCs


 > DMW Announcements
 --DMW Events
   -Digital Music Forum -
Last week for Pre-Registration
   -Games & Mobile Forum

 --Digital Media Law Report

 > Featured Advertisement:
 --Game Developers Conference 2004, March 22-26, San Jose, California
 --Account Manager, Sales
 

o Briefly Noted: Movielink - Intel, Yahoo - fantasy baseball, Summus - Fuji Photo Film, Musiwave - Series 60, 2ThumbZ Entertainment, 989 Sports - Carlos "Pescadito" Ruiz, Activision - "Pitfall: The Lost Expedition," NCsoft - Blue King Studios - "City of Heroes," Mythic Entertainment - "Dark Age of Camelot: New Frontiers," Gathering - SCi - "Conflict: Vietnam," "Paranoia," LightningCD.com - Sanctuary Records

 
> Job/Event/Marketplace Classifieds:
 --
Federal Territory Sales Manager - West Coast
 --
Software Engineer
 --Product Manager
 --
10.0 million Software Co.,VP Technology, Long Island, NY
 --
Sales Executive
 --
Account Executive
 --
Best Cities, Best Job Growth Performers: Where Should You Be?
 --Premium, Affordable Learning and eLearning Management System  
 


o New Jersey Woman Sues RIAA for Extortion Under Racketeering Laws

Rockaway Township, N.J. -- A New Jersey woman targeted by one of the Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA) copyright infringement lawsuits has countersued the major record labels under U.S. racketeering laws, claiming they are extorting settlement fees from the alleged copyright infringers they have sued. Michele Scimeca says that by suing alleged file-swappers on charges that could bring damages in the millions of dollars -- and then offering to settle the suits for lesser amounts -- the labels are engaging in extortion similar to tactics used by organized crime. In papers filed with the U.S. District Court in Newark, Scimeca's attorney Bart Lombardo states, "This scare tactic has caused a vast amount of settlements from individuals who feared fighting such a large institution and feel victim to these actions and felt forced to provide funds to settle these actions instead of fighting." The RIAA has to date sued nearly 1,500 individuals for copyright infringement, having settled with close to 400 defendants for amounts between $2,000 and $10,000. Legal experts have called Scimeca's strategy a novel idea, but somewhat of a long-shot defense against the record companies' copyright infringement claims.
http://news.com.com/2100-1027_3-5161209.html
http://makeashorterlink.com/?G1B423677 
http://www.riaa.com
_____________________________________________

o FBI "Anti-Piracy" Label to Feature on Music, Movies, Software, Games

Los Angeles -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Thursday announced a joint initiative with record labels, movie studios, software and game developers that will result in a new FBI "Anti-Piracy" warning label being placed on and within physical and digital copyrighted works. The four industries participating in the endeavor collectively claim $3 billion in losses due to copyright infringement in 2003. "It is our hope that when consumers see the new FBI warning on the music they purchase, both physically and digitally, they will take the time to learn the do's and don'ts of copying and uploading to the Internet," said Brad Buckles, director of anti-piracy at the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). "As this seal attests, these are the serious crimes with serious consequences -- including federal prosecution -- to making unauthorized copies or uploading music without permission and consumers should be aware of them." The exact design and phrasing of the FBI warning labels -- long a fixture on VHS and DVD movies -- is still under consideration by the various industries.
http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel04/piracy021904.htm
http://www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest/cyberedletter.htm
http://makeashorterlink.com/?Z5E725677 
http://news.com.com/2100-1025_3-5161871.html
_____________________________________________

o Study: Teen-Rated Games Feature Content Not Consistent with Rating

Chicago -- A recent study of Teen-rated video games published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that many titles brandishing the "T" rating depicted acts of violence, sex and alcohol and tobacco use not in agreement with the rating's definition. For the study, Harvard researchers Kimberly Thompson and Kevin Hanniger played 81 randomly sampled Teen-rated game titles and found that 48% of these games contained content not described on the game's box. Fifteen percent of the games also depicted alcohol or tobacco use, when only 1% of all T-rated games feature a warning to this effect on their packaging. The researchers concluded that "a significant amount of content in T-rated video games that might surprise adolescent players and their parents given the presence of this content in games without ESRB content descriptors."
http://makeashorterlink.com/?H13625677
http://www.esrb.com/esrbratings_guide.asp#symbols
____________________________________________

o U.K. ISP Telewest Developing "Scent Dome" for PCs

London -- U.K.-based ISP Telewest Broadband announced on Thursday that it is developing a hi-tech scent device that would plug in to PCs and release odors on command. The "scent dome" device, which would retail at about 250 pounds ($472), would come with a replaceable cartridge containing about 20 basic smells that could be combined to produce up to 60 different aromas, the company said. "We are always looking at ways to enhance the broadband Internet experience of the future," said Telewest Broadband Internet Services Director Chad Raube. "And this time we are sure consumers will come up smelling of roses." A similar device was marketed several years ago by the now-defunct U.S. firm DigiScent.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?T2E741577
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/7.11/digiscent.html

Top


 > DMW Events:

4th Annual Digital Music Forum

March 1, 2004 | New York City
www.digitalmusicforum.com

 

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Sean Ryan - VP, Music Services, Real Networks
Jonathan Potter - Executive Dir., Digital Media Association

FEATURED INTERVIEW/Q&A
Steven Marks - General Counsel,
Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
Chris Amenita - SVP, ASCAP

Amy Bernstein - Senior Editor, Business 2.0
Derek Broes - EVP, Worldwide Operations,
Altnet
David Card - VP & Research Director, Jupiter Research
Scott Cohen - Co-Founder & President, The Orchard Global Media

Ted Cohen - SVP, Digital Development & Distribution, EMI Music

Peter Csathy - COO, MusicMatch

David Del Beccaro - President & CEO, Music Choice

Maureen Dorney - Partner, Gray Cary
Roy Elkins - CEO & Founder, Broadjam
Mark Frieser - CEO & Founder, Consect
Brian Garrity - Senior Editor, Billboard Magazine
Tom Gensch - VP, Content & Premium Services, PaymentOne

Laura Goldberg - COO, Napster

Jim Griffin - CEO, Cherry Lane Digital
Ellie Hirschhorn - GM & EVP, MusicNet
Jeff Howe - Contributing Editor, Wired Magazine
David Hyman - Chief Strategy Officer, Gracenote
Scott Kauffman - President & CEO, MusicNow (formerly FullAudio)
John Kilcullen - President & Publisher, Billboard Magazine
David Kusek - VP, Berklee Media, Berklee College of Music
Tim Nilson - VP, Mobile Technology, Sony Music
Larry Rebich, VP of Program Acquisition & Market Dev., SIRIUS Satellite Radio
Tim Riley, Worldwide Executive of Music, Activision
Rob Schoeben, Vice President of Application Marketing, Apple
Ned Sherman - CEO & Founder, Digital Media Wire
Howie Singer - Chief Technology Officer, Warner Music Group
Perry Solomon - Founder & VP, Strategy, Peppercoin
Bob Struble - President & CEO, Ibiquity Digital
Nikke Slight - SVP, New Media, Atlantic Records
Nada Usina - GM, Entertainment & Media Business, Nokia America
Jim Van Huysse - Executive Director & GM, The AOL Radio@ Network
Jon Vlassopulos - Sr. Dir., Bus. Dev., AT&T Wireless Mobile Multimedia

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
This year's forum focuses on the following questions:

- Is there a viable business model for selling music online? 
- Can licensed services compete with free downloads from file-sharing networks? 
- Who will be the winners and the losers in the world of online music sales? 
- What is the status of pending lawsuits and legislation concerning digital copyrights? Can the music industry profit from legitimate uses of P2P?
- How are consumers reacting to new formats for music delivery?
- Will new formats generate the kind of success that the industry experienced with CDs during the '80s and '90s? 
- What are the challenges and opportunities for music industry executives seeking to maximize the potential of the mobile market?
- What does the future hold for satellite and Internet radio?

For complete agenda and event details, please go to: www.digitalmusicforum.com

REGISTRATION
Pre-Registration: $295 (until February 20)
Registration: $395 (after February 20)

Online :  http://kb.digitalmediawire.com/register.php?eventid=1056
Phone: 323-464-0793




2nd
Annual
GAMES & MOBILE FORUM

April 15
, 2004  |  New York City
www.gamesandmobile.com

Overview
Games & Mobile Forum is 1-day executive forum focused on business and technology developments impacting games and mobile entertainment.  In 2003, leading executives from entertainment and technology companies including, Yahoo! Games, AOL Games, Atari,  Acclaim, Warner Bros. Online, AtomShockwave, CNET, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), The Endeavor Agency, Mythic Entertainment and Digital Bridges participated in a series of panels on topics, including "Mobile Games: The Coming Wireless Revolution", "Developing Games Based on Film, Television & Music Properties and Visa-Versa"", and "Advergames: Recent Developments & Opportunities".

REGISTRATION
Early Bird Special: $ 195 (until March 12)
Pre-Registration: $ 295 (until April 9)
Registration: $ 395 (after April 9)

Online :  http://kb.digitalmediawire.com/register.php?eventid=1060 
Phone: 323-464-0793

To submit speakers for the 2004 conference, please send a bio and photo (optional) to Tinzar Than, VP, Marketing & Events, Digital Media Wire, Inc. at tinzar@digitalmediawire.com.


> DMW Publications:

> Digital Media Law Report - New Featured Section - Volume 1 - 2004
We are pleased to announce that we have added a "Featured Section" to Digital Media Law & Policy Report. This month's featured coverage includes reports on the oral arguments held before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in MGM v. Grokster and a "Post-Conference Report" from MidemNet 2004. We will use this section to provide in depth coverage of certain cases, events and policy developments each month. Subscriptions - Order

Available Now - Volume 1 - 2004 Report - 30 pages - Order

Past Events | Sponsorship Materials | Partners & Clients
 

Top


> Featured Advertisement: 

> Game Developers Conference 2004, March 22-26, San Jose, California

GDC is the world’s largest and most important professional event for the game industry and the best place to find out the worldwide future of the games market. Keynotes include: Andrew House, Executive Vice President of Third-Party Relations and Marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America Neil Young, VP and Executive in Charge of Production, Electronic Arts Register by February 18 at http://www.gdconf.com and save up to 30% on GDC passes.

Use priority code: DDIGM4 to receive an additional $25 discount. 

 


> Account Manager, Sales

Music Choice, the world’s leading digital music service, has an opening for Account Manager in our New York City office. Responsible for developing sales strategies to achieve/exceed budgeted sales goals. Develop effective national promotions. Provide input for budgeting, forecasting/goal setting process. Preferred candidate will have successful track record in sponsorship or advertising sales and a "solid rolodex." 3-5 years of advertising/sponsorship sales exp. Cable TV/radio ad sales experience a plus. BA required. Email: jobs@musicchoice.com  EOE
 

Top


o Briefly Noted:

(Los Angeles) Movielink, an Internet video-on-demand joint venture between a number of Hollywood movie studios, announced that it has partnered with chipmaker Intel to promote its service and help develop Intel's wireless home networking technology. While Intel will sponsor a number of Movielink initiatives, Movielink will aid Intel in testing technologies that secure content transmitted wirelessly from a PC to a TV.
http://www.movielink.com

(Sunnyvale, Calif.) Yahoo on Thursday launched its Yahoo Sports Fantasy Baseball and Fantasy Baseball PLUS services for the 2004 season. Registration for both the free and premium versions of the game will continue through April 30. The premium version will cost $24.95 per team, $37.50 for two teams and $124.95 for a league of up to 20 teams. Additional features include a $9.95 StatTracker service, a $14.99 weekly fantasy newsletter and wireless access to the service for $3.95 per month.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040219/195219_1.html 
http://sports.yahoo.com

(Raleigh, N.C.) Summus, a developer of wireless applications, has announced an expanded collaboration with Fuji Photo Film to develop a complete photo service for wireless consumers. The two companies said that the service will allow users to capture, store, share and print all of their digital images with a package of mobile applications.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040218/185365_1.html 
http://www.summus.com

(Paris) Musiwave, a French provider of mobile music entertainment services, on Thursday announced that its Pictones product is now available on Series 60, Nokia's platform for smartphones. Pictones combine real master recording ringtones with animated images. To date, nine Series 60 devices from five manufacturers are in the works, and will offer large, high-resolution screens and features like Internet browsing, multimedia communications and audio and video streaming, plus the ability to play graphics-intensive games and tap into corporate servers.
http://www.forum.nokia.com/main/0,6566,010_40,00.html
http://www.musiwave.net

(Research Triangle Park, N.C.) 2ThumbZ Entertainment, a publisher of mobile entertainment content, announced on Thursday a number of distribution deals that will see its games, wallpapers and ringtones made available to subscribers in North America, the U.K., China and India. North Carolina-based 2ThumbZ's products will now be available to subscribers of wireless networks including Cingular, T-Mobile, Telus, Mmo2, China Mobile and China Unicom, Tata Indicom, Telefonica, AmericaMovil and Cable&Wireless.
http://www.2thumbz.com

(Foster City, Calif.) Sony Computer Entertainment America's 989 Sports development studio said on Thursday that it has signed Los Angeles Galaxy forward and Guatemalan National Team member Carlos "Pescadito" Ruiz to be the cover athlete for its "World Tour Soccer 2005" title for PlayStation 2. Ruiz was awarded the 2002 Major League Soccer MLS Cup MVP, 2002 MLS Goal of the Year and the 2002 MLS Most Valuable Player.
http://www.989sports.com

(Santa Monica, Calif.) Video game developer Activision on Thursday shipped its "Pitfall: The Lost Expedition" title for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube and Game Boy Advance to retailers. Santa Monica, Calif.-based Activision said that as a bonus, the original Atari 2600 versions of "Pitfall!" and "Pitfall 2" are unlockable at different points as players progress through the game.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040219/lath048_1.html 
http://www.activision.com 
http://www.pitfallharry.com

(Austin) Korean game publisher NCsoft announced on Thursday that comic book publisher Blue King Studios will create a monthly comic based on its upcoming "City of Heroes" massively multiplayer online PC game. The "City of Heroes" game is currently in development at San Jose, Calif.-based Cryptic Studios; the premiere issue of the "City of Heroes" comic will ship in May.
http://www.plaync.com 
http://www.crypticstudios.com 
http://www.bluekingstudios.com 
http://www.cityofheroes.com

(Fairfax, Va.) Online game developer Mythic Entertainment said on Thursday that it will release a free version of its "Dark Age of Camelot" massively multiplayer online game. Virginia-based Mythic said "Dark Age of Camelot: New Frontiers" will become available for download in the second quarter of 2004.
http://www.mythicentertainment.com 
http://www.camelotherald.com/newfrontiers

(New York) Gathering, a video game publishing label of Take-Two Interactive, said on Thursday that it has obtained the North American publishing rights for "Conflict: Vietnam" from U.K.-based developer SCi Entertainment Group. New York-based Gathering has also published SCi's "Conflict: Desert Storm" and "Conflict: Desert Storm II," which together have sold over 1 million units in North America.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040219/195127_1.html 
http://www.godgames.com 
http://www.sci.co.uk/games

(New York) A group of game designers said that they have licensed the rights from U.K.-based Mongoose Publishing to create a PC version of a roleplaying board game called "Paranoia." Originally released in 1984, the game has to date sold over 200,000 copies. Game developers Allen Varney and Aaron Allston, along with "Paranoia" co-designer Greg Costikyan, will jointly work on development of "Paranoia XP." "Paranoia XP is not an attempt to bring back an old RPG for the nostalgic," said Costikyan. "Its basic themes -- totalitarianism, fear of technology, mistrust, and loathing -- are, if anything, more relevant than they were in 1984."
http://www.mongoosepublishing.com 
http://www.costik.com/paranoia

(Seattle) LightningCD.com, provider of a service that lets users browse a library of digital tracks and burn custom CDs from their home computers, has announced that independent label Sanctuary Records has licensed 36,000 tracks to its service. The deal will add songs from artists including Morrissey, Kelly Osbourne, Widespread Panic and Ween to the service. Seattle-based LightningCD.com's service temporarily stores encrypted digital files of the songs to be burned on a user's PC, adding that these files are then deleted once the CD is created.
http://www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com 
http://www.lightningcd.com

Top


> Classifieds:

> Federal Territory Sales Manager - West Coast

This is a sr. level sales position which sells to high profile government enterprise accounts. Responsibilities: identifying and partnering with value add integrators and resellers, and development of partner relationships with networking companies and service providers. B.S. degree and 7 yrs business exp and 5 yrs exp selling telecom products to the govt. marketplace is necessary. Must have excellent communications skills and knowledge of existing VARS which sell to federal government within the territory. Must be a self - starter. Work from home reqd. with a min. of 50% travel. Send resumes to jobs@vbrick.com 
___________________ 

> Software Engineer

Bamboo Solutions Corp. is a small company located in Reston, VA, that provides iReview and WD3T for enterprise-wide collaboration, seeks a dedicated professional to join team working on full lifecycle dev. of web & desktop s/w. Requires: ASP/JScript web programming, working knowledge of XML/XSL, MS Windows Platform programming, database technologies, object oriented design methods. C/C++ programming a plus. 4+ years experience required. Send resumes to carolk@bamboosolutions.com
___________________ 

> Product Manager

Top Tier Software Manufacturer, based in New York looking for experienced Product Manager for the Princeton, NJ, Manhattan or Lisle, IL locations. Define and manage product strategy and requirements for mainframe Performance Management solutions. Perform market research, competitive intelligence and analysis. Work with Development to plan product release deliverables. 4+ years Mainframe Performance Management experience. Strong mainframe(z/OS) configuration and performance tuning skills. Experience with product life cycle. Send resumes to fgreene@lloydit.com
___________________

> $10.0 million Software Co.,VP Technology, Long Island, NY

VP will lead highly talented development team to conceptualize, architect and develop enterprise grade applications. Need 10 years diverse experience in designing enterprise grade software in both installed and ASP formats. Strong understanding of Java and client/server technologies. Masters in Computer Science. Local candidates preferred. Send resumes to sunnyreach@hotmail.com
___________________

> Sales Executive

GEOBRIDGE Corporation, an information security provider seeks sales professionals to join our Reston, VA office. We are a small, growing, profitable company expanding our existing team. Responsibilities include managing aspects of sales cycle - cold calling, qualification and closing enterprise accounts. Requirements include 5+ yrs experience selling enterprise solutions, proven track record and the ability to conduct a technically driven sale. Send resumes to jobs@geobridge.net
___________________

> Account Executive

WLWC TV a Viacom owned and operated station in Providence, RI has an opportunity for a local Account Executive to join an energetic and growing sales division. Candidate must be highly motivated, possess the ability to maintain existing account list and develop new business. TV, Radio, Cable or Print sales experience necessary. If you are interested in joining the fastest growing television station in the Providence market please email resume and letter of introduction to kamaral@wlwctv.com  or fax to K.Amaral at 401.351.0222 EOE
___________________

> Best Cities, Best Job Growth Performers: Where Should You Be?

As the economy rebounds, some localities are ahead of the curve and some are hoping better economic news will bring them out of an extended slump. Which areas are performing well and helping local businesses thrive despite difficult economic times? Is your area helping you succeed or holding you back? Click here for a full rundown: http://www.e-country.org/techwire.htm
___________________

> Premium, Affordable Learning and eLearning Management System

Parabola Corporation of Fairfax sells and supports a comprehensive Learning Management System focused on growing your business. Provides tools to administer courses, seminars, workshops, and other learning offerings. Visit http://www.ParabolaCorp.com  or call 703.280.2620 to find out more. Send inquiries to JBates@ParabolaCorp.com

Top


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. To subscribe for free, please click here.

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.

Advertising & Sponsorship
Publications, Events & Information


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

Contact Us
Questions, Comments & Suggestions
News Tips & Press Releases

Unsubscribe

Top


Copyright 2004 Digital Media Wire, Inc. All Rights Reserved.