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Top Stories
o Beatles' Record Label, Apple Computer Argue Trademark Case in London
o MPAA Sues BitTorrent Tracker Site Search Engine Torrentspy
o Sprint Looks to Offer Mobile Music Subscriptions, Sirius Song Downloads
o WSJ: EU Warns Microsoft on Launch of Windows Vista
o Apple Adds iPod Volume Limit Setting in Software Update
o Bankrupt Tower Records Adds Bookstore to Website
o Google Finalizes $1 Billion Investment Deal With AOL
o JupiterResearch in $10.1 Million Merger Deal with Kagan Research
o Alternative Payments Technology Firm I4 Commerce Raises $27.4 Million
o French Mobile Video Developer Eyeka Raises $4.8 Million
o Wikipedia Offshoot Wikia Raises $4 Million in First Round
o Mobile Ad Technology Provider TXT4 Raises $2.2 Million
o Digital Media Services Firm Onstream Media Raises $2.5 Million
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Briefly Noted
o First Panasonic Blu-ray Disc Player to Sell for $1,500 in September
o Turner Slashes GameTap Subscription Price to $9.95, Adds New Content
o Report: Female Internet Users Up 63% Since 2003
o Airborne Entertainment Launches Activist Ringtones
o Internet Video Delivery Firm Narrowstep Names New CEO
o Square Enix Ships "Kingdom Hearts II" in North America
o Third Day Games to Publish Educational Games Based on the Gospels
o IGN Entertainment Launches Mobile Game News Service
o Glu Mobile to Publish Hoyle Card Games, "Super KO Boxing"
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London - The Beatles' record label, Apple Corps, and Apple Computer squared off in a London court today, over whether the iPod maker's iTunes Store constitutes a breach of a trademark agreement the company made with the label not to enter the record industry, the International Herald Tribune reported. While Apple Computer maintains it functions solely as a conduit for selling music recorded and distributed by other companies, Apple Corps lawyers contended this argument is undermined by iTunes' lack of interoperability, and its selling of exclusive songs and repackaged collections not available elsewhere. "The agreement was intended to say, 'We do music, you do computer software delivery systems,'" Apple Corps lawyer Geoffrey Vos said of the 1991 deal. "The moment you cross the line is when you say you're in the record business." Vos also said that in 2003 Apple Corps managing director Neil Aspinall turned down a $1 million offer from Apple CEO Steve Jobs to buy the rights the Apple Records name. Apple Corps seeks an injunction to compel Apple to remove its apple-shaped logo from iTunes, in addition to unspecified damages. The case is projected to extend into next week, while a ruling from Justice Edward Mann is not expected "for some time," IHT reported.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/29/technology/29cnd-apple.html
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o MPAA Sues BitTorrent Tracker Site Search Engine Torrentspy

London - The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has sued Torrentspy, a search engine that provides search results of sites providing movie downloads on the BitTorrent file-sharing network, the BBC reported. Torrentspy itself does not host any copyrighted material, but merely points to third-party sites that host bits of a large movie file, called torrents. For its part, Torrentspy has filed a motion to have the federal lawsuit dismissed in Los Angeles. "This appears to be the first case where major Hollywood studios are suing a search engine that does not even link to any files copyrighted by Hollywood. The MPAA is in essence trying to outlaw the torrent file format," Torrentspy attorney Ira Rothken told the BBC. Rothken added that the site had previously cooperated with the MPAA in removing links to certain torrent files, and "cannot be held 'tertiary' liable for visitors' conduct that occurs away from its Web search engine." The MPAA has successfully targeted a number of the larger torrent tracker sites, including SuprNova and TorrentBits, but has not yet challenged the legality of a search engine that provides links to tracker sites, like Torrentspy.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4853674.stm
http://www.torrentspy.com
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o Sprint Looks to Offer Mobile Music Subscriptions, Sirius Song Downloads

New York - In a bid to increase demand for its mobile music download services, wireless carrier Sprint Nextel may begin offering mobile music subscriptions, and expand its partnership with Sirius Satellite Radio so that users could download songs they hear on mobile Sirius channels to their phones, Reuters reported. In addition to a possible subscription service, where users would pay a monthly fee for full-track song downloads, instead of the current $2.50 per song, Sprint chief operating officer Len Lauer told Reuters the company wants to offer direct downloads from the 20 Sirius channels it offers subscribers. "We'd like to have the capability later this year that the customer listens to a song and says, 'I want to buy that song,'" Lauer said.
http://tinyurl.com/q62b7 (Reuters)
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o WSJ: EU Warns Microsoft on Launch of Windows Vista

Brussels - According to the Wall Street Journal, the European Commission has sent a letter to Microsoft warning the software giant that it will not be allowed to sell its new Windows Vista operating system in Europe if it comes pre-packaged with certain security features. "We expect that Microsoft will design Vista in a way which is in line with the European competition laws," EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes told the Wall Street Journal. "It would be rather stupid to design something that is not." The report also said EU officials were particularly concerned that Microsoft could use its Internet Explorer 7 browser to direct users to the company's own search service.
http://online.wsj.com/public/page/technology.html?mod=1_0013
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o Apple Adds iPod Volume Limit Setting in Software Update

Cupertino, Calif. - Apple on Wednesday released a software update for its iPod nano and fifth-generation iPod players that lets users set their own personal maximum volume limit, and also enables parents to set a lockable volume limit on their child's iPod. A section on the company's website cautions that users should "limit the amount of time that you use earbuds or headphones at high volume," and that "hearing experts warn that noise-induced hearing loss can also occur as a result of repeated exposure to loud sound over time.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060329/sfw051.html?.v=53
http://www.apple.com/sound
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o Bankrupt Tower Records Adds Bookstore to Website

Sacramento - Bankrupt music and entertainment retail chain Tower Records on Wednesday announced the addition of 500,000 books to its website at Tower.com. "Tower Records stores have always carried a selection of relevant book titles. Our online store features a selection rivaling other large online booksellers," said Tower senior marketing officer Russ Eisenman. "This is a very exciting launch for us and another positive step for Tower as we strive to deliver the best shopping experience for our valued customers." The company added that, since declaring bankruptcy in February 2004, it opened two new stores in 2005 and plans refurbishments for all of its stores in 2006. It also recently worked with Outhink Media to establish the TowerPod podcasting network.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060329/sfw058.html?.v=49
http://www.tower.com/books
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o Google Finalizes $1 Billion Investment Deal With AOL

Dulles, Va. - Following several months of negotiations, Google, the Internet search giant, said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday that it has officially signed a deal to invest $1 billion in America Online. Under the deal, first announced in December, Google will acquire a 5% stake in AOL, its largest advertising partner, sometime before mid-year. There is also a large advertising portion of the deal, in which AOL will get $300 million worth of ads on Google's network, and in turn will sell graphical ads for Google's search engine. The news sent shares of Google up nearly 5% in Wednesday's trading.
http://biz.yahoo.com/e/060329/goog8-k_a.html  ____________________________________________ 

o JupiterResearch in $10.1 Million Merger Deal with Kagan Research

New York - JupiterResearch, a New York-based market research and consulting firm, announced on Wednesday that it has merged with Monterey, Calif.-based Kagan Research, also a provider of technology market research. Under the deal, Jupitermedia Corporation has sold its JupiterResearch unit to JupiterKagan for $10.1 million. JupiterKagan is a unit of MCG Capital, which acquired Kagan Research in 2004. "This merger brings together two brilliant teams of analysts with unparalleled expertise in their fields," said JupiterKagan CEO Tim Baskerville. "With greater scale, richer combined data resources, and a highly attractive continuous information service business model, JupiterKagan is positioned to be a major force in our industry." The combined company counts more than 100 employees in six major offices in the U.S., U.K., Germany and France.
http://tinyurl.com/q9g5s
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060329/jupitermedia_sale.html?.v=1 (AP)
http://www.kagan.com
http://www.jupiterresearch.com
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o Alternative Payments Technology Firm I4 Commerce Raises $27.4 Million

Timonium, Md. - I4 Commerce, a developer of alternative payment technologies for retailers, said that it has secured $27.4 million in a new round of venture capital funding, led by New York-based Kingdon Capital Management. Previous investors Crosspoint Venture Partners, Azure Capital Partners and GRP Partners also participated. Maryland-based I4's "Bill Me Later" platform allows consumers to pay for purchases online and by phone without using a credit card. Instead, consumers provide their name, billing address and birthdate, as well as the last four digits of their social security number, and later receive a bill in the mail. The platform is currently in use by more than 240 brands, including Petco, Continental Airlines and Wal-Mart.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060328/netu017.html?.v=53
http://www.i4commerce.com
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o French Mobile Video Developer Eyeka Raises $4.8 Million

Paris - Eyeka, a France-based provider of mobile video and image service applications, announced that it has secured $4.8 million in first-round venture-capital financing just months after the company was founded. Paris-based Ventech Capital and U.K.-based DN Capital led the round. Eyeka said DN Capital's expertise in digital media and strong presence in the U.K. and U.S. would be "crucial" for its international expansion. The French firm said it would use the investment to develop its platform and hire new staff.
http://www.eyeka.com
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o Wikipedia Offshoot Wikia Raises $4 Million in First Round

St. Petersburg, Fla. - Wikia, a provider of advertising-supported platforms for developing and hosting online communities, has raised $4 million in its first round of venture capital, led by Bessemer Venture Partners. Previously called Wikicities, Florida-based Wikia allows online groups to share information, news, stories, media and opinions. The company was launched in 2004 by Angela Beesley and Jimmy Wales, who previously founded Wikipedia, the free, "open source," online encyclopedia. Both Wales and Beesley serve as board members of the Wikimedia Foundation.
http://tinyurl.com/g5frl 
http://www.wikia.com

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o Mobile Ad Technology Provider TXT4 Raises $2.2 Million

Oxford, England - TXT4 Ltd., a London-based provider of mobile response technology to advertisers, announced that it has raised $2.2 million in venture capital financing. TXT4 provides software to manage advertising response using text messaging. Oxford Capital Partners and Noble Fund Managers led the round. TXT4 said it would use the investment to grow sales and marketing and increase technical resources. The latest cash injection follows a £250,000 investment by The Capital Fund last December. TXT4 has offices in Australia, France, Germany and Ireland.
http://www.txt4.com/uk/business
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o Digital Media Services Firm Onstream Media Raises $2.5 Million

Pompano Beach, Fla. - Onstream Media, a provider of live and on-demand media communications, has raised $2.5 million in a private placement of convertible debt. The company said that it intends to use the proceeds to support ongoing expansion of its marketing efforts, update certain infrastructure, licenses and equipment, and eliminate a portion of its outstanding short-term liabilities. Pompano Beach-based Onstream Media's digital media services technology provides tools for webcasting, web conferencing, managing digital assets, publishing content on the Internet and establishing e-commerce storefronts.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060329/flw022.html?.v=32 
http://www.onstreammedia.com
 
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AOL Program Manager, Digital Media Services - Dulles, VA

AOL’s Digital Media Services (DMS) group is responsible for premium music, radio and video services and is key to AOL’s strategy to be the #1 provider of premium services to the Internet at large. The DMS Program Manager will lead specific initiatives for implementing DMS services on the PC and Web-based hosted media services to drive growth in the US and internationally.

Responsibilities will include: product design & content programming for the PC-based services; partner relationships of media service implementations; and collaboration with business owners of DMS services.

Candidate must have the following hands-on experience & skill set: project management; product management; program management; web analytics; international business; and strong written & spoken communication skills. Working knowledge of business and product strategy is desired. The ideal candidate will have a creative, entrepreneurial edge and 5+ years experience in the media and Internet industries. An MBA is a plus but not required. Please refer to Requisition #57508 when responding to Jenniferramos11@aol.com. For more information visit: www.aol.com/careers.
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Video iPod Study Available - Frank N. Magid Associates

Magid has recently completed a Video iPod study examining awareness, knowledge and perceptions, usage behavior and future purchase intentions regarding the Video iPod. Surveying 798 iPod owners between the ages of 12 and 55, Magid's study explores not only the Video iPod but also the greater implications for the future of portable video content, communication and entertainment. Magid's 2005 Video iPod study includes an overview of current iPod owners' attitudes and usage behavior, interest in purchasing the Video iPod, perceptions of the viewing experience, types of content with greatest appeal, experience with iTunes experience, future usage of various entertainment platforms and devices.  We also compare the data across key generations - the Millennials, Gen X and Baby Boomers. For more info or to purchase the report for $975 please contact Mvorhaus@magid.com  or to view sample pages click here.
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o First Panasonic Blu-ray Disc Player to Sell for $1,500 in September

New York - Panasonic, the U.S. arm of Japanese consumer electronics firm Matsushita, announced on Wednesday that it will begin selling its first Blu-ray Disc player in the U.S. in September. The company said its DMP-BD10 will sell for around $1,500.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060328/nytu110.html?.v=46
http://www.panasonic.com
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o Turner Slashes GameTap Subscription Price to $9.95, Adds New Content
 
Atlanta - Turner Broadcasting announced on Wednesday that it has slashed the price of its GameTap broadband games and entertainment service from $15 to $9.95 per month, and also added new channels and shows. The service now offers more than 400 games, as well as a new component called GameTap TV that includes episodes of "Space Ghost Coast to Coast," and channels featuring music videos, animation, and game-themed original programming.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060329/clw502.html?.v=38
http://www.gametap.com
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o Report: Female Internet Users Up 63% Since 2003

London - According to a new report by the European Interactive Advertising Association (EIAA), the number of women using the Internet has increased by 63% since 2003. By comparison, the number of men using the Internet increased by 54% over the same period. What's more, online time for women between the ages of 16 and 24 has more than doubled over the last three years. The EIAA's Digital Women 2006 report went on to predict that women will be spending the most time online by the year 2007 if current trends continue.
http://www.eiaa.net
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o Airborne Entertainment Launches Activist Ringtones

Montreal - Mobile entertainment publisher Airborne Entertainment on Wednesday introduced a new line of ringtones with social, political and environmental activist themes. The "Just Cause" ringtones and ringback tones -- such as "Hell no, we won't go!" and "Every 3.6 seconds someone dies of hunger" -- will see 10% of net proceeds donated to a different charity each month.
http://tinyurl.com/k8w8g
http://www.airborne-e.com
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o Internet Video Delivery Firm Narrowstep Names New CEO

London - Narrowstep, a provide of Internet-based video content delivery services, announced on Wednesday that it has appointed Stephen Beaumont as its new chief executive. Beaumont replaces Iolo Jones, who will remain on as chief strategy officer and as a board member. Previously, Beaumont held executive positions with Parker Pen, Gillette and Sanford.
http://tinyurl.com/hdlr6
http://www.narrowstep.com
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o Square Enix Ships "Kingdom Hearts II" in North America

Los Angeles - Japanese video game publisher Square Enix and co-publishing partner Buena Vista Games on Wednesday announced the North American release of their "Kingdom Hearts II" title for PlayStation 2. The sequel to the original Kingdom Hearts title, which sold 2.6 million units in North America, features the voice talent of actors including Haley Joel Osment, Mena Suvari, James Woods and Zach Braff.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060328/latu099.html?.v=46
http://www.kingdomhearts.com
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o Third Day Games to Publish Educational Games Based on the Gospels

Parsippany, N.J. - Religious-themed video game developer Third Day Games and religious publisher Silver Burdett Ginn Religion on Wednesday announced an agreement to publish a series of educational video games based on the Bible's Gospels. The "Gospel Champions" series will be available to parish and school educational programs for an annual site license fee of $125.
http://tinyurl.com/rf3hm
http://www.thirddaygames.com
http://www.gospelchampions.com
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o IGN Entertainment Launches Mobile Game News Service

Brisbane, Calif. - IGN Entertainment, a recent acquisition of News Corporation that provides video game news and information, on Wednesday announced the launch of IGN Mobile. Initially offered to Cingular subscribers for $4.99 per month, the service will include the company's game news, reviews, tips, cheats and other content.
http://mobile.ign.com
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o Glu Mobile to Publish Hoyle Card Games, "Super KO Boxing"

San Mateo, Calif. - Mobile game publisher Glu Mobile said on Wednesday that it signed a deal with game publisher Encore to create Hoyle playing card-branded mobile phone card games. The first title, "Hoyle 6-in-1 Solitaire Pro," will be released in June, with several other mobile games to follow. Separately, San Mateo, Calif.-based Glu said it plans to publish an original mobile game title, "Super KO Boxing," in July 2006.
http://www.glu.com

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