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DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- March 28, 2003
===================================================
To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com 

o House Passes Ban on Misleading Porn Domains, "Morphed" Child Porn
o Arista Records to Release SunnComm Copy-Protected CDs in U.S. Market
o Online Magazine Salon.com Raises $800,000 in New Financing
o Sirius Satellite Radio Hits Subscriber Target for 2002
o IBM to Introduce Broadcast Encryption Technology for Home Networks

> DMW Publications: February Law and Policy Report
> Featured Section: HP Workstation, Discreet cleaner XL

o Briefly Noted: Orange - Vodafone - T-Mobile, Opera - iTV set-top box,
Empire Interactive - "Bad Boys II," On Command - satellite delivery, Atari
- "Dead Man's Hand," Midway - "ESPionage," Gateway - digital music ads,
"Revolution OS" - CSS-free DVD
_____________________________________________

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

> Marketplace: TechSpotter, 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 House Passes Ban on Misleading Porn Domains, "Morphed" Child Porn

Washington -- The House of Representatives has passed a bill that contains
an amendment banning the use of misleading domain names that draw children
to pornographic websites, as well as computer-generated child pornography.
The Child Abduction Prevention Act, which contains the amendment, passed
the House on Thursday by a vote of 410-14. The ban on "morphed" child porn
follows a similar ban struck down by the Supreme Court last year on First
Amendment issues. "At its worst, the Internet can be used to deceive
children into viewing inappropriate material," said Rep. Mike Pence
(R-Ind.), who introduced the amendment on domain names. "These websites
use legitimate-sounding domain names to lure children to sites with
sexually explicit material." Those found guilty of registering such domain
names would face a penalty of up to 2-4 years in prison.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c108:3:./temp/~c108zTH3il:: 
http://mikepence.house.gov/news.asp?FormMode=ViewRelease&ID=299 
http://lamarsmith.house.gov/news.asp?FormMode=Detail&ID=202 
http://news.com.com/2100-1028-994460.html?tag=fd_top 
_____________________________________________

o Arista Records to Release SunnComm Copy-Protected CDs in U.S. Market

San Francisco -- A number of outlets reported on Friday that, according to
a research note published by a J.P. Morgan analyst, major label BMG's
Arista Records label plans to release copy-protected CDs into the consumer
market as early as May. According to the note, Arista will use
Phoenix-based SunnComm's CD copy-protection technology. "We expect volume
shipments of protected CDs to ship commercially in the U.S. as early as
the May-June time frame using the SunnComm solution," wrote J.P. Morgan
analyst Sterling Auty, in the note. "This will be the first major step in
the growth of the CD audio protection market." SunnComm currently provides
copy-protection on Arista's promotional and other CDs released in advance
of an album's street date.
http://news.com.com/2100-1027-994565.html?tag=fd_top 
http://biz.yahoo.com/djus/030328/1318000538_2.html 
http://www.sunncomm.com 
_____________________________________________

o Online Magazine Salon.com Raises $800,000 in New Financing

San Francisco -- Salon Media Group, which operates the struggling
Salon.com online magazine, announced on Friday that it has raised $800,000
in new financing, led by existing investors Bill Hambrecht and John
Warnock. The site recently began offering its content only through a paid
premium subscription, or else to visitors willing to click through an
interactive ad in exchange for a "day pass" to the site. San
Francisco-based Salon, which also announced that its subscription service
has surpassed 60,000 subscribers, said the funds were necessary to
continue operations. "We hope this funding gives current and prospective
subscribers renewed confidence," said Salon president and CEO Michael
O'Donnell. "We also believe this will boost our advertising sales as
agencies and clients evaluate major media campaigns to run on Salon."
http://www.salon.com 
_____________________________________________

o Sirius Satellite Radio Hits Subscriber Target for 2002

New York -- Sirius Satellite Radio, operator of a nationwide
satellite-delivered radio service, announced that it met its subscriber
target for the year 2002, reporting a total of 29,947 subscribers. The
company reported a loss of $134.1 million for 2002, up from $83.6 million
last year, and revenues of $685,000. New York-based Sirius, which earlier
this month completed a $1.2 billion recapitalization plan, also said that
it expects to reach its subscriber goal of 300,000 by the end of 2003.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030328/nyf022_1.html 
http://www.siriusradio.com 
_____________________________________________

o IBM to Introduce Broadcast Encryption Technology for Home Networks

Southbury, Conn. -- IBM said on Friday it plans to introduce new broadcast
encryption technology for home networks at the National Association of
Broadcasters (NAB) convention in Las Vegas next month. The technology
works by allowing all of the devices within a "home" network to establish
common media keys. The unique IDs distinguish each device in the network
from other devices, preventing viewing or listening of the content by
devices outside the network.
http://www.ibm.com 
_____________________________________________

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==========================================
DMW Publications: February Law & Policy Report
==========================================
Contact tinzar@digitalmediawire.com or call 323-464-0793 to order your
copies.
To purchase directly, go to:
http://kb.digitalmediawire.com/marketplace.php

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. February issue on sale now!
**Special Reduced Rates available for a limited time**   
Price:   $19.00 Per Issue   |   $195.00 Annual Subscription  
http://kb.digitalmediawire.com/marketplace.php

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_____________________________________________

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

GET an HP Workstation for a PC Price

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REGISTER to win an HP IPAQ Handheld PC, and share your business
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Discreet cleaner XL- Play High Quality Video & Audio Anywhere

Introducing Discreet cleaner(TM) XL. Your high quality video and audio now
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Briefly Noted: 

(London) Orange, the No. 1 mobile operator in the U.K, announced on Friday
that its multimedia messaging service customers will be able to send and
receive picture messages on their mobile phones even when using other U.K.
networks. Orange negotiated the deals with Vodafone and T-Mobile, which
means Orange's more than 13 million customers will be able to send and
receive picture messages as easily as they do text messaging. A similar
arrangement has already been negotiated with mmO2. The new agreements will
go into effect on March 31, the company said.
http://www.orange.com/english/default.asp?bhcp=1 

(Oslo) Opera, a developer of Internet browser technology, announced that
Japanese set-top box maker Plat Communication Components will include the
company's Opera for iTV browser in its Broadband Terminal Box, which
delivers television over IP networks. The deal marks Norway-based Opera's
first entry into the Japanese digital TV market. In addition to its
traditional browser for PCs and iTV, Opera also markets browsers for
smartphones and other devices.
http://www.opera.com/pressreleases/en/2003/03/26/  

(London) Game developer Empire Interactive on Friday announced that it has
secured the global publishing rights to Sony Pictures' "Bad Boys II,"
through a license from Sony Pictures Consumer Products. London-based
Empire said it will produce multiple titles based on the film across all
leading console and PC platforms, which will be released alongside the
"Bad Boys II" DVD during the holiday shopping season.
http://us.empireinteractive.com 
http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/badboys2 

(Denver) On Command, a provider of video-on-demand and other in-room
entertainment technology to hoteliers, announced on Friday that, after a
successful trial, the company has begun installing technology to enable
satellite delivery of movies and other content to more than 270,000 hotel
rooms in the U.S. Denver-based On Command partnered with Santa Monica,
Calif.-based Ascent Media Group to handle management and delivery of its
encrypted satellite content.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030328/laf017_1.html 
http://www.oncommand.com 

(Los Angeles) Video game publisher Atari, a unit of French publisher
Infogrames, announced on Friday that it will publish "Dead Man's Hand" for
Xbox, developed by Madison, Wisc.-based Human Head studios. The game, to
be released in the fall, will be compatible with Microsoft's Xbox Live
online game service, and will utilize Epic Games' Unreal game engine. Los
Angeles-based Atari also announced on Friday that it shipped "Furious
Karting" for Xbox to retailers. The title was developed by Paris-based
Babylon Software.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030328/285176_1.html 
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030328/285379_1.html 
http://www.humanhead.com 
http://www.babylonsoft.com/public_html 

(Chicago) Chicago-based video game developer and publisher Midway Games
said on Friday it will ship its "ESPionage" title for PlayStation 2, Xbox
and GameCube in the fall of 2003.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030328/285153_1.html 
http://www.midway.com 

(San Francisco) CNET News.com on Friday reported on PC maker Gateway's
new, more entertainment industry-friendly advertising campaign. While an
earlier campaign drew criticism from Hollywood that the company was
encouraging copyright infringement, the new "Rip, Burn, Respect" campaign
aims to emphasize legal means of acquiring digital music. Even so, major
TV network CBS is still deciding whether to air the spots, which advertise
a new offer that gives new PC buyers a free month of Listen.com's Rhapsody
service, as well as free downloads and 20 free recordable CDs.
http://news.com.com/2100-1027-994428.html 
http://www.gateway.com/home/deals/offers/rip_burn_respect.shtml 

(San Francisco) Wired News on Friday reported on the decision of
filmmakers to release the DVD version of their film "Revolution OS," about
Linux and the open source software movement, without the industry standard
CSS anti-copying technology.
Most Linux developers have refused to sign a licensing agreement necessary
to use the encryption technology, meaning that films with CSS will not
play on computers running the Linux operating system without the use of an
illegal program such as DeCSS.
http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,58253,00.html 
_____________________________________________

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

_____________________________________________

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

TechSpotter - Preliminary Investment Screening for Early Stage Companies

TechSpotter uses a simple method of asking opinions of several experts in
applicable fields to provide ratings and comments about a company and then
make the review committee's ratings available to member investors.
TechSpotter has found funding for 5 companies, which are projected to be
worth over $100 million each within 5 years.

Visit http://www.techspotter.com and enter "referred by Digital Media
Wire" in the "Referred By" box on the application form to receive $50 off
the annual membership fee. Your membership will entitle you to candid
reviews by experts, viewing by multiple investors and opportunities to
present to investors at the TechSpotter events for one year.
See event info at http://www.techspotter.com/event.php
_____________________________________________

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://kb.digitalmediawire.com/marketplace.php
_____________________________________________

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://kb.digitalmediawire.com/marketplace.php
_____________________________________________

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.