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DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- April 10, 2003
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To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com
o Bill Would Fund New Studies On Video Games' Effects On Children
o News Corp. Agrees To Buy DirecTV Parent for $6.6 Billion
o Yahoo Beats Estimates, Raises Guidance
o Microsoft to Slash Cost of Xbox Game Console in Europe
o Ice-T Releases New Album As Paid Download on Altnet File-Sharing Network
o Nintendo Cuts Royalty Rates for Third-Party Game Developers
o Graphics Chipmaker Nvidia, Game Developer Electronic Arts Form Alliance
o Recoton Corp. Files for Chapter 11; Plans Total Liquidation
> DMW Publications: March Law and Policy Report
> Featured Section: HP Workstation for a PC Price
o Briefly Noted: Digital Download Day - U.K. download charts, MuchMusic
USA - Fuse - VOD, Vivendi Universal Games - "The Hulk," Global Interactive
Gaming - BSkyB, XM Satellite Radio, Gigex, Take-Two Interactive,
Compression software - music file IDs
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> Events: L.A. HIPAA Security and Privacy Conference, Games & Mobile
Forum: April 28 | NYC
> Marketplace: Discreet cleaner XL, TechSpotter, Game Industry Report,
iTV Chronicle, Interest-Based Navigation
Full Classifieds located beneath "Briefly Noted" section below.
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o Bill Would Fund New Studies On Video Games' Effects On Children
Washington -- Two Senators announced on Thursday they plan to introduce
legislation that would provide additional funding for scientific studies
into the effects of media on child development. Sen. Joe Lieberman
(D-Conn.) and Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) said the legislation would set
up a new program within the National Institutes of Health to fund studies
on a wide range of questions about the health effects of media on
children. In particular, the lawmakers said they are interested in seeing
more data on the effects of interactive media on children. Sen. Lieberman
pointed to the popular game "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City," which awards
players for "degrading and killing women." "Beyond being offensive to our
values, we should know whether this is helping to nurture misogynistic
views and behaviors among young boys," said Lieberman. "Although our
research base on the power of interactive media to influence children's
learning and development is growing, it is still small," Brownback said.
"If this nation wants to realize the best for its youth, then additional
research funding is essential to provide the information parents need to
make informed decisions about their children's health."
http://www.senate.gov/~lieberman/press/03/04/2003409859.html
http://www.senate.gov/~lieberman/press/03/04/2003409855.html
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o News Corp. Agrees To Buy DirecTV Parent for $6.6 Billion
London -- In a move that will make him the biggest satellite broadcaster
in the world, Rupert Murdoch agreed on Thursday to buy DirecTV, the
largest satellite TV provider in the U.S. Murdoch's News Corp. is paying
$6.6 billion to gain control of Hughes Electronics Corp. and its DirecTV
service, giving News Corp. access to more than 11 million subscribers and
foothold in the U.S. for the first time. The Australian media mogul has
been pursuing the deal for more than three years. However, many investors
who believe Murdoch paid too much for the coveted satellite TV company
have not welcomed the move: News Corp.'s stock price plummeted nearly 9
percent in early trading in Australia.
http://www.newscorp.com/news/news_188.html
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o Yahoo Beats Estimates, Raises Guidance
Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Buoyed by sales of its fee-based services, Yahoo on
Wednesday posted earnings and revenue results for the first quarter that
beat Wall Street estimates. The company reported net income of $46.7
million, or $0.08 per share. Yahoo's revenue from free-based services,
including its Internet access business with SBC Communications, rose 61
percent to $63.7 million. "Our results this quarter reflect the strong
performance of our marketing services businesses, as well as continued
success in providing fee-based services," said Terry Semel, the chairman
and CEO of Yahoo. The company also raised its guidance for this year's
revenue, from earlier predictions of $1.15-$1.22 billion to $1.22-$1.28
million.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030409/95692_1.html
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o Microsoft to Slash Cost of Xbox Game Console in Europe
London -- Aiming to up the ante in the competitive game console market,
Microsoft announced on Thursday that it will slash the price of its Xbox
machine in Europe. As of Friday, the Xbox will sell for 199 euro ($214),
down from its current price of 249 euro ($268), the company said. The
reduction brings Microsoft's console price in line with Nintendo's
GameCube and under Sony's PlayStation 2. While the move will increase the
software giant's losses, it will also put pressure on Microsoft's
competitors, whose profits have been waning in light of disappointing
sales.
http://www.microsoft.com/europe/default.mspx
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o Ice-T Releases New Album As Paid Download on Altnet File-Sharing Network
Woodland Hills, Calif. -- Altnet, a secure file-sharing service that
piggybacks on the popular Kazaa file-sharing network, announced on
Thursday that rapper Ice-T will release his new group Sex Money & Gunz'
album "Repossession" as a paid download on the Altnet service. The
19-track album will be offered for $4.99. The deal also provides for
future distribution of an additional 16 Ice-T audio or video files. "We
are thrilled to have Ice-T as the first multi-platinum artist using
Altnet's technology," said Altnet Kevin CEO Bermeister. "Altnet enables
content owners to tap into the promotional and commercial power of a
peer-to-peer environment, while providing popular digital rights
management (DRM) technology combined with a seamless payment gateway."
http://www.altnet.com
http://www.mcicet.com
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o Nintendo Cuts Royalty Rates for Third-Party Game Developers
Tokyo -- In a bid to make creating titles for its GameCube video game
console more attractive to independent game developers, Nintendo has
lowered the royalty rates it charges those third-party game developers,
Reuters reported on Thursday. The company hopes the decision will result
in a greater number of must-have games for the GameCube, which has not met
company sales goals. "Before our royalty rate was a little more aggressive
so to the third party publisher it was a little less attractive to make
games for GameCube," George Harrison, senior vice president of marketing
for Nintendo of America, told Reuters. "We need to make sure that we have
good relationships with all the independent publishers, because you never
know where the next big hit game is going to come from."
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=2545899
http://www.nintendo.com
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o Graphics Chipmaker Nvidia, Game Developer Electronic Arts Form Alliance
Santa Clara, Calif. -- Graphics chipmaker Nvidia on Thursday announced an
alliance with independent video game developer Electronic Arts. The two
companies will jointly produce 3D content for top-selling EA games and
franchises, and implement Nvidia-specific features and special effects in
several upcoming EA titles such as "Madden NFL Football 2004." As part of
the agreement, PCs powered by Nvidia's graphics processors will be the
preferred platform for EA's PC game developers. Santa Clara, Calif.-based
Nvidia will also be given the rights to bundle certain EA titles for PC
with Nvidia products and those of its partners.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030410/sfth034_1.html
http://www.nvidia.com
http://www.ea.com
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o Recoton Corp. Files for Chapter 11; Plans Total Liquidation
Lake Mary, Fla. -- Recoton Corp., a developer of consumer electronic
accessories, audio products and video gaming products, has filed for
Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company plans to sell all its remaining assets
and businesses. Recoton said that it has arranged for financing from
Heller Financial Inc. and General Electric Capital Corp., the company's
two senior lenders, to continue operations as it searches for buyers.
Recoton said that it expects to sell all of its assets by the end of June.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030408/85775_1.html
http://www.recoton.com
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==========================================
DMW Publications: March 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:
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Digital Media Law & Policy Report - New Issue
Must-read publication on legal and policy matters related to digital
media. Thirty-two pages of case summaries, news and analysis, policy
updates, court filings, and exclusive interviews with legal counsel and
business leaders.
Published monthly. March issue on sale now!
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Price: $19.00 Per Issue | $195.00 Annual Subscription
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==================
FEATURED SECTION
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Featured Section posting at:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/featuredpostingpage.htm
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Briefly Noted:
(London) U.K. digital music distributor OD2 on Thursday announced its
"Digital Download Day," offering U.K. residents free credits to be used
toward the download of songs from legitimate music sites. OD2 also said
partner Official Charts Copmany will begin producing a weekly chart of the
U.K.'s most popular digital music downloads, as paid for from legitimate
sites. Data on downloaded songs may also be incorporated into the
company's regular Top 40 charts in as little as 18 months. Consumers are
able to register for their free tracks between today and April 15.
http://www.ondemanddistribution.com/eng/press/word_docs/DDD_PR_080403.doc
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2930197.stm
(New York) MuchMusic USA, a music TV network owned by Rainbow Media
Holdings, announced on Thursday it will change its name to Fuse as part of
a new branding and marketing campaign. As part of the re-branding, the
network will open a $12 million street-front studio in mid-town Manhattan,
as well as launch a video-on-demand service, offering full-length music
videos, special programming from Fuse's shows and behind-the-scenes
footage from specials and concerts.
http://www.rainbow-media.com/rainbow/media/release_release.jsp?nodeid=3894
http://www.mmusa.tv
http://www.fuse.tv
(Los Angeles) Vivendi Universal Games on Thursday announced that its "The
Hulk" video game, based on the upcoming film from Valhalla Motion
Pictures/Good Machine Production, will be released on June 3, in advance
of the movie's June 20 theatrical release. Vancouver-based developer
Radical Entertainment is currently creating versions of the game -- which
will feature a brand new storyline set after the events of the movie --
for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube and the PC.
http://www.vugames.com
http://www.radical.ca
(West Paterson, N.J.) Global Interactive Gaming, a developer of online
gambling applications, announced on Thursday that U.K. satellite
broadcaster British Sky Broadcasting's (BSkyB) interactive Sky Bet channel
will launch the company's SportXction wagering software in August. The
software allows bettors to place wagers on sports events through their
televisions while a game is in progress.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030410/lath040_1.html
http://www.gigltd.co.uk
(Washington) XM Satellite Radio, a provider of nationwide
satellite-delivered digital radio programming, on Thursday launched a new
pricing program for families with more than one XM receiver in the
household. Individual subscriptions will cost $6.99 per radio per month, a
discount of 30 percent off the regular rate of $9.99.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030410/dcth004_1.html
http://familyplan.xmradio.com
(San Francisco) Gigex, a provider of video game marketing and promotions,
on Thursday announced the launch of its Hit List, a free broadband video
game demo service. San Francisco-based Gigex said that Hit List will offer
the most popular PC game demos, full online games, and PlayStation 2, XBox
and GameCube game trailers.
http://www.gigex.com
(New York) Video game publisher Take-Two Interactive on Thursday shipped
its Gathering label's "Tropico 2: Pirate Cove" title for PC to retailers.
Developed by San Francisco-based Frog City Software, the game will also be
released in Europe on April 25.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030410/105195_1.html
http://www.frogcity.com
(London) New Scientist magazine recently reported on research at the Dutch
National Research Institute in Amsterdam into identifying music files
solely by the manner in which they are shrunk down in size by common
compression software, like WinZip. Researchers found that recordings of
compositions by Beethoven, Miles Davis and Jimi Hendrix matched up to each
other, respectively, when compressed, and that even compositions from
differing classical composers ended up being grouped with one another
using the technique.
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993602
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CLASSIFIEDS - EVENTS
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CLASSIFIEDS - MARKETPLACE
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Digital Media Wire, Inc. leverages its integrated media network to provide
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