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DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- April 10, 2002
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Subscribe for free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com

o NetRatings Acquires AdRelevance Unit from Jupiter for $8.5 Million
o Authors Guild Urges Members to Avoid Amazon.com Over Used Book Sales
o RIAA Collects $1 Million from Company Allowing Employee Song-Trading
o EdgeStream Launches New Streaming Media Delivery Technology
o Game Developer THQ Completes Three-for-two Stock Split
o Briefly Noted: Microsoft - DVD+RW, Gateway - digital music, InPhase -
100GB DVDs, Sirius Satellite Radio, WFX - Britney Spears, Astraware -
RealArcade, Business 2.0, CARP - public comments
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> DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE PANEL DISCUSSION SERIES:
"iTV: New Interactive Services Fuel Big Expectations
Slow Market Penetration Raises Questions: How Big is iTV Going to Be?"

Register by clicking on the links below to join leading executives and
professionals at our upcoming iTV breakfast panels in Los Angeles, San
Francisco and New York.

LA: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/LAitv2.html
SF: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/SFitv2.html
NYC: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/NYCitv2.html

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_____________________________________________

o NetRatings Acquires AdRelevance Unit from Jupiter for $8.5 Million

New York -- NetRatings, a provider of Internet audience measurement and
analysis services, announced on Wednesday that it has acquired
AdRelevance, the online advertising unit of New York-based Jupiter Media
Metrix, for $8.5 million. Included in the purchase were AdRelevance's
suite of services, employees, historical data, a client base of over 150
customers, and patent applications, trademarks and copyrights. Will
Hodgman, former president of the Jupiter Media Metrix Measurement Group,
will join Milpitas, Calif.-based NetRatings' management team. Jupiter
Media Metrix recently announced that it would have to sell off assets in
order to continue its operations.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020409/nytu069_1.html
http://www.netratings.com
http://www.jmm.com
_____________________________________________

o Authors Guild Urges Members to Avoid Amazon.com Over Used Book Sales

New York -- The Authors Guild, a community of published authors, has sent
a letter to its members urging them to remove links from their personal
websites to online bookseller Amazon.com, over the company's used book
auctions -- which deny authors and publishers a share of profits. The
Guild instead said members should join affiliate programs and link to
Amazon rival BarnesandNoble.com, or online independent bookseller
BookSense.com, which like Amazon provide referral fees to authors for
books sold through the links, but do not auction used books. "We believe
it is in our members' best interests to de-link their websites from
Amazon," the Guild wrote in its letter to members. "There's no good reason
for authors to be complicit in undermining their own sales. It just takes
a minute, and it's the right thing to do." Amazon defended its practice in
an interview with Reuters. "It encourages customers to explore authors or
genres they might not otherwise try because of the price," Amazon
spokeswoman Patty Smith told Reuters. "That ends up helping authors and
publishers."
http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,51676,00.html
http://www.authorsguild.org/pramazon1200.html
_____________________________________________

o RIAA Collects $1 Million from Company Allowing Employee Song-Trading

Washington -- The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has
reached a $1 million out-of-court settlement with Integrated Information
Systems, Inc. (IIS) relating to a dedicated server the company ran
allowing its employees to trade "thousands" of MP3 music files on its
network. The RIAA said it received an email tip in mid-2001 informing the
group -- which represents the interests of major record labels -- of IIS's
dedicated server. The RIAA then sent the company a cease and desist
letter, which prompted negotiations that led to the settlement. "This
sends a clear message that there are consequences if companies allow their
resources to further copyright infringement," said Matt Oppenheim, RIAA
senior vice president, business and legal affairs. "We applaud IIS for
accepting its responsibility and working actively with us to settle this
case out of court."
http://www.riaa.org/PR_Story.cfm?id=505
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/bayarea/entertainment/3029974.htm
http://www.iisweb.com/
_____________________________________________

o EdgeStream Launches New Streaming Media Delivery Technology

Laguna Hills, Calif. -- EdgeStream, a developer of streaming media
technology, announced the launch of the company and its new approach to
streaming that it says can deliver "VHS and DVD quality streaming media to
broadband users in real-time." Laguna Hills, Calif.-based EdgeStream's
technology avoids network congestion and subsequent interruptions, packet
loss and rebuffering common with current streaming by focusing on
intelligent routing of streaming content. The technology is not
compression-based, so no picture or sound quality is lost through
shrinking the file. "Anyone from anywhere in the world can go to our Web
site, and if they have enough bandwidth at the last mile, can stream a
1mbps video from our network," said EdgeStream CEO Vin Sodhi. EdgeStream
said its technology is currently compatible with RealNetworks and
Microsoft media, and will soon work with Apple's QuickTime.
http://www.edgestream.com/corp/corp/news/ES-PR-Launch-10apr02.htm
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-879515.html?tag=cd_mh
_____________________________________________

o Game Developer THQ Completes Three-for-two Stock Split

Calabasas Hills, Calif. -- THQ, a developer and publisher of video games
for PCs, game consoles and wireless devices, announced on Wednesday the
completion of a three-for-two stock split, previously announced on March
8. The stock split was effected in the form of a 50 percent stock
dividend. "The successful execution of strategic initiatives including our
recently announced licensing agreement [with Marvel Comics], development
studio expansions as well as today's stock-split distribution speak to
THQ's continued outlook for growth through 2002 and beyond," said THQ CEO
Brian Farrell.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020410/100151_1.html
http://www.thq.com
_____________________________________________

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VirtualMedia Partners 'interactiveTV Global RoadShow'

Due to remarkable success of the iTV Spring RoadShow, VirtualMedia is
running a series of six updated events in the summer and fall of 2002. The
revised agenda was compiled with the aid of an advisory panel of industry
experts and covers topics as diverse as t-commerce and the consumer
lifecycle to interactive horizontal marketing and proof of concepts in the
interactiveTV space - but this time with a global reach, including Asia,
Japan and the far east Exclusive networking, with the limited number
attendance of 70 delegates. Special Early Booking Discount

http://www.virtualmediapartners.com/globalroadshow
yaqub@virtualmediapartners.com
Tel: 917 432 2906

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STREAMING MEDIA WEST 2002 - April 23-26, Los Angeles Convention Center

***CONFERENCE*** Held over 4 fact-filled days, the Streaming Media West
2002 Conference offers 7 industry-leading keynotes, world-class speakers,
in-depth Conference Sessions, a beginner's seminar and specialty MPEG-4
and Interactive Advertising Forums.

**EXHIBITION (FREE with pre-registration)*** Experience the tricks behind
the trade and find today's business solutions, as the most cutting-edge,
industry leading companies showcase the latest in streaming and digital
media advancements.

For full Conference information and registration and your FREE Exhibition
pass visit http://www.streamingmedia.com/west
Or contact register@streamingmedia.com or 888 301-8890

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______________________

o Briefly Noted:

(San Francisco) CNET reported on Wednesday that Microsoft plans to support
the DVD+RW format, one of a number of formats competing to become the
standard which consumers will use to create and watch DVD-based video on
their computers that can also play in their DVD players. Microsoft plans
to support the format in a future edition of Windows, currently codenamed
"Longhorn." The DVD+RW Alliance, which backs DVD+RW, counts members
including Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Philips, Sony and Thomson. The rival DVD
Forum, which backs formats including DVD-RW, DVD-RAM and DVD-R, has
received support from Apple, Hitachi, Pioneer, Sharp and others.
http://news.com.com/2100-1040-879980.html
http://www.microsoft.com/winhec/sessions2002/consmstor.asp
http://www.dvdrw.com/
http://www.dvdforum.org/forum.shtml

(San Diego) PC maker Gateway on Wednesday announced a new campaign to
support consumers' digital music rights, which includes TV spots and a
promotion where the company will give away three free blank CDs to
consumers and host digital music clinics at its retail outlets.
Specifically, the campaign targets recently introduced legislation from
Sen. Fritz Hollings (D- S.C.) that would outlaw converting a legally
acquired CD to MP3 format for use in a portable player, or burning a
backup copy of a legally acquired CD as a safety measure. "Gateway is
advocating consumers' right to use existing technology in ways that
respect copyrights while allowing them to discover new artists and enjoy
the added flexibility of digital media formats," said Gateway CEO Ted
Waitt.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020410/law014_1.html
http://www.gateway.com/digitalzone/music

(Las Vegas) InPhase Technologies, a developer of holographic data storage,
announced at this week's National Association of Broadcasters convention
in Las Vegas new holographic DVD storage technology that will allow a
single CD-sized disc to store 100GB of data -- enough room for 20 feature
films. The technology will be targeted at professional video producers and
for archival storage. Colorado-based InPhase said it will begin initial
manufacturing of its product at the end of 2003, with volume shipments to
begin in 2004.
http://www.inphase-technologies.com/news/demotapestry.html
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1103-876822.html

(New York) Sirius Satellite Radio, a provider of satellite-delivered
digital radio programming, announced on Wednesday that its service is now
available in eleven U.S. states. Residents of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho,
Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota
and Wyoming are now able to subscribe to the service; Sirius said that it
will be available in seven additional states by the end of April.
Nationwide rollout of New York-based Sirius' service is expected by
August. Sirius subscribers pay $12.95 per month for access to 100 channels
of music, news and other audio programming.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020410/nyw044_1.html
http://www.siriusradio.com

(New York) WFX (Wireless Fan Access), a provider of entertainment-related
wireless services, announced on Wednesday the launch of its Britney Spears
wireless fan club. A joint campaign with technology partner Samsung will
launch in 500 Best Buy retail stores on May 5. The service offers
"surprise" voice and text messages from Britney, lifestyle and fashion
tips, logos and picture messages, horoscopes, fan polls and monthly
contests and prizes. The club costs $19.99 for a three-month initial
subscription and is available on all cell phones that support SMS text
messaging.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020410/102085_1.html

(The Midlands, England) Astraware, a developer of interactive games for
Palm handheld devices, said on Wednesday that it will distribute several
of its titles through Seattle-based RealNetworks' RealArcade game
distribution service. U.K.-based Astraware's games work with handhelds
running the Palm OS 3.0 or higher and will sell for $14.95 each on
RealArcade.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020410/100174_1.html
http://www.astraware.com/
http://www.realarcade.com

(San Francisco) AOL Time Warner-owned technology magazine Business 2.0 on
Wednesday named Josh Quittner as editor. Formerly technology editor at
Time magazine and managing editor of Time.com, Quittner will take over
editorial from Ned Desmond, who will remain as president of the
publication.
http://www.business2.com

(Washington, D.C.) Newsbytes recently published an article that explores
reactions to the proposed fees webcasters will have to pay record labels
and artists to stream music online, which were recently announced by the
Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel (CARP). The U.S. Copyright Office has
published public comments on the proposed fees on its website from parties
including the RIAA, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the
National Federation of Community Broadcasters, the Electronic Frontier
Foundation and a number of independent small webcasters.
http://www.loc.gov/copyright/carp/114/comments.html
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/02/175759.html
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> DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE PANEL DISCUSSION SERIES:
"iTV: New Interactive Services Fuel Big Expectations
Slow Market Penetration Raises Questions: How Big is iTV Going to Be?"

========================================================
LOS ANGELES: Tuesday, April 16, 2002, Four Seasons Hotel, Beverly Hills
========================================================
Moderator: Ken Rutkowski, Founder and CEO, KenRadio.com
Stephen Condon, SVP and CMO, Intertainer
K.C. Hildreth, COO, GoldPocket Interactive
Steve Hoffman, CEO, Spiderdance
Mark Kapczynski, Principal, Media & Entertainment Solutions Group,
Microsoft
David Nathanson, VP of Broadband Strategy & Channel Development, Fox Cable
Networks

Sponsored by: SpyWorm.TV, LARTA
For more information and to register for the Los Angeles event:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/LAitv2.html
========================================================
SAN FRANCISCO: Wednesday, April 17, 2002, City Club of San Francisco
========================================================
Moderator: Sean Badding, VP and Senior Analyst, The Carmel Group
Martijn Lopes Cardozo, VP of Product Management, GoldPocket Interactive
Mitchell Linden, Head of Operations - North America, BBC Technology
Bill Niemeyer, Founder, Centrimedia (former Director, Strategic Dev.,
Spiderdance)
Peter Schultz, Director of Business Development, PopTV Program, Liberate
Bridget Steele, Business Development Manager, Microsoft TV

For more information and to register for the San Francisco event:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/SFitv2.html

=========================================================
NEW YORK: Thursday, April 25, 2002, Cornell Club of New York City
=========================================================
Moderator: Art Cohen, SVP, Advertising, ACTV
Patrick Donoghue, VP, Interactive Television, Cablevision
Gerard Kunkel, President, WorldGate
Christopher S. Lucas, VP & Exec. Producer, Digital Media Group, Showtime
Networks
Rod A. Nenner, Director, TV & Entertainment Solutions Group, America
Online
Carla Sinatra, Vice President of Business Development, NBC
Todd Krieger, Senior Manager, Business Development, Microsoft TV

Sponsored by: WorldGate, iTV Marketer (http://www.itvmarketer.com)
For more information and to register for the New York event:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/NYCitv2.html

Sponsorships and Inquiries:
Ned Sherman at 323.464.0793 or esherman@digitalmediawire.com
Paul Sherman at psherman@digitalmediawire.com

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______________________

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Copyright 2002 Digital Media Wire