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===================================================
DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- April 21, 2003
===================================================
To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com 

o Real Networks to Acquire Listen.com
o Justice Department Sides with RIAA in Battle with Verizon
o Sony to Invest $1.7 Billion in Production of "Super-Chip"
o Report: Apple Prepares to Launch New Online Music Service
o Analyst: AOL Could Start Selling Assets This Week

> DMW Events: Games & Mobile Forum, April 28 (NYC)
> DMW Publications: March Law and Policy Report
> Featured Section: Special Offer from Discreet cleaner XL

o Briefly Noted: AOL Sports - Turner Sports, THQ - "Finding Nemo", eBay
TV, Keynote Systems - Cable & Wireless, Nextel Communication - Wireless
Marathon Runner Devices, Activision - True Crime: Streets of L.A., Editori
- Ustream: Cfn/CnbcMobile Partnership
_____________________________________________

> Events: Streaming Media NY, May 6â?"8, NYC, Pipeline Safety & Security Expo

> Marketplace: HP Workstation for a PC Price, 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 Real Networks to Acquire Listen.com

Seattle -- Digital media software and services provider RealNetworks Inc.
announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire
online music directory and subscription provider Listen.com for $36
million in cash and stock. The announcement, which comes three months
after RealNetworks made a strategic investment in Listen.com, gives
RealNetworks ownership of Listen.com's RHAPSODY music service, which the
companies believe will be important in building the music offerings of
RealNetworks' RealOne subscription service. RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser
said: "Listen.com's RHAPSODY has pioneered a number of important
capabilities such as integrating artist guides and customized radio
stations within a music subscription service, and its innovative hybrid
streaming and caching technology. Bringing RHAPSODY and RealOne together
will, we believe, accelerate the adoption of legitimate digital music
services." The two companies said that they expect to complete the
acquisition in the second quarter of this year or early in the third
quarter.
http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/030421/tech_realnetworks_listen_1.html 
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030421/sfm105_1.html 
http://www.real.com/  
http://www.listen.com 
_____________________________________________

o Justice Department Sides with RIAA in Battle with Verizon

Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of Justice filed a brief with the
U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. on Friday siding with the
Recording Industry of Association of America (RIAA) in its dispute with
Verizon Communications Inc. over whether Verizon must disclose the
identity of a customer who is an alleged copyright infringer. The Justice
Department argues that the provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright
(DMCA) invoked by record labels to require ISPs like Verizon to turn over
information about subscribers who are alleged copyright infringers does
not violate the U.S. Constitution. Verizon argues that the law violates
consumers' rights to privacy and due process. "It is manifest that the
DMCA's subpoena provision targets the identity of alleged copyright
infringers, not spoken words or conduct commonly associated with
expression," the Department of Justice said. The district court ruled in
favor of the RIAA in January, and Verizon appealed the decision. "The
government's filing today supports the proposition that we have long
advocated: copyright owners have a clear and unambiguous entitlement to
determine who is infringing their copyrights online and that entitlement
is constitutional," said Matt Oppenheimer, Senior Vice President for
Business and Legal Affairs at the RIAA.
http://www.verizon.com 
http://www.riaa.org/PR_Story.cfm?id=631 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53387-2003Apr18.html 
_____________________________________________

o Sony to Invest $1.7 Billion in Production of "Super-Chip"

Tokyo -- Sony Corporation and its game division, Sony Computer
Entertainment, which manufactures distributes and markets the PlayStation
game console, announced today that they will invest 200 billion yen ($1.7
billion) over the next three years to produce a new "super-chip" for
next-generation game machines. Sony, which will manufacture the new chips
in a semiconductor fabrication facility located in Japan, formed a
partnership with Toshiba Corporation and IBM Corporation in August 2002
for the development of an advanced semiconductor process called the "Cell"
project. "The introduction of advanced semiconductor technologies is
imperative for the next generation processors that support the broadband
network era," said Ken Kutaragi, president and CEO of Sony Computer
Entertainment and executive deputy president of Sony Corporation. "Digital
consumer electronics and network products to enjoy various broadband
applications in homes, such as games, movies, music and digital
broadcasting, will play a leading role in the future together with the
evolution of PC."
http://www.sony.com 
http://us.playstation.com/ 
http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/200304/03-0421E/ 
http://shorterlink.com/?N3U6GF 
_____________________________________________

o Report: Apple Prepares to Launch New Online Music Service

Los Angeles -- A report published by Reuters on Monday says that Apple
Computer Inc. is preparing to launch an online music service that is
winning the praise of record executives who see it is as "a weapon against
online piracy". According to the report, music executives who have seen
Apple's upcoming service have commented that "it is simple to use, offers
single songs from a deep catalog and -- unlike Kazaa and the other pirate
services -- it pays royalties to the troubled record industry." Apple's
new service, which is expected to be unveiled on or around April 28, will
feature songs from all five major record labels, link with its iTunes
music software and allow for easy downloading to Apple's digital music
player iPod. According to an unnamed record industry executive interviewed
for the Reuters report: "It's exactly the system that should have existed
five years ago."
http://www.apple.com 
http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/030421/media_apple_music_1.html 
_____________________________________________

o Analyst: AOL Could Start Selling Assets This Week

Dulles, Va. -- AOL Time Warner, the parent of Dulles-based America Online,
may be moving closer to selling some non-core assets in the coming days,
according to a report by Merrill Lynch. Analyst Jessica Reif Cohen on
Monday noted that the first sale could come on Wednesday, when the media
giant reports its earnings. Most likely to be sold off would be AOL Time
Warner's 50% stake in Comedy Central that is worth about $1 billion,
sports teams worth about $600-700 million or its book publishing group,
worth about $350 million. "We believe Viacom is the likely and logical
buyer of AOL Time Warner's 50% stake in Comedy Central," Reif Cohen said.
http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/030421/media_aol_assets_2.html 
_____________________________________________

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==========================================
DMW Events: Games & Mobile Forum: April 28, New York City
==========================================

Join us, leading professionals and members of the press for a cutting-edge
executive forum examining recent developments in games and mobile
entertainment. The 1-day event at the Metropolitan Pavilion in NYC
features 3 keynotes from leading game industry CEOs, 4 discussion panels,
exhibits and tech demos, followed by an evening of cocktails, appetizers,
networking and fun at Sansung's web2zone.com Cyber & Gaming Center in the
heart of downtown Manhattan. Early Bird registration is only $200
(includes full-day pass and after-party) until April 25:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events/Games&MobileForum_04282003.htm 
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==========================================
DMW Publications: March Law & Policy Report
==========================================
Contact tinzar@digitalmediawire.com or call 323-464-0793 to order.
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. 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! **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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==================
FEATURED SECTION
==================
Featured Section posting at:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/featuredpostingpage.htm 

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_____________________________________________

Briefly Noted: 

(Dulles, Va.) America Online today announced the launch of the "Win or Go
Home Report," a special NBA Playoffs feature that will be produced by
Turner Sports and available exclusively to AOL for Broadband members. The
new broadband program features original on-location reports, game
previews/reviews and interviews with players and coaches.  The 3-5 minute
programs, which are hosted by NBA on TNT studio host Ernie Johnson and
provide commentary about the Playoff series and discuss other NBA Playoffs
news, will run daily from April 21 through the end of the 2003 NBA Finals.
http://www.aol.com 
http://www.turner.com 
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030421/215458_1.html 

(Calabasas Hills, Calif.) Game publisher THQ Inc. announced on Monday that
it would give a ticket to the upcoming animated film "Finding Nemo" with
each of the initial copies of its game based on the upcoming movie Pixar
Animation Studios Inc.  The promotion is part of a multimillion-dollar
national television, print, radio and online campaign, in-theater
marketing, numerous cross-promotions. Finding Nemo for PlayStation 2,
Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, PC/MAC and Finding Nemo: Nemo's
Underwater World of Fun for PC/MAC will be released in early May.  The
movie is scheduled for theatrical release May 30.
http://www.pixar.com 
http://www.thq.com 
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030421/215165_1.html 
http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/030421/media_thq_ticket_1.html 

(San Jose, Calif.) A nationally syndicated TV show from San Jose-based
online auctioneer eBay will debut in the fall of 2004, a year later than
originally planned, according to a report in Monday's Hollywood Reporter.
The launch of Sony's eBay-TV reportedly was delayed after many of the
stations committed to carrying the hour-long show requested more time to
install eBay's e-commerce platform, which will serve as an integral
component of the program. Other stations indicated that they needed extra
training from eBay or time to develop convergence media sales plans,
according to sources.
http://shorterlink.com/?KVR801 

(San Mateo, Calif.) San Mateo-based Keynote Systems, a provider of
Internet performance measurement services, said on Monday that
telecommunications giant Cable & Wireless, which has its U.S. headquarters
in Santa Clara and Northern Virginia, will resell its services. Under the
deal, Cable & Wireless will offer the company's performance measurement,
management, diagnostic and testing services to its customers.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030421/215059_1.html 

(Boston) Nextel Communication, the official wireless communications
sponsor of the Boston Marathon, estimated that more than 7,000 runners in
the race on Monday were using its devices for reporting on the whereabouts
of runners along the course. The lightweight device, about the size of a
quarter, affixes to a runner's shoe and sends an instant alert to up to
six email addresses or wireless devices each time the runner passes one of
four checkpoints over the course of the 26.2-mile race.
http://www.newsalert.com/bin/story?StoryId=CpPy9WbKbytuZnZi 

(Santa Monica, Calif.) Hollywood stars, including Christopher Walken, Gary
Oldman and Michael Madsen, will lead an all-star voice cast in Activision,
Inc.'s upcoming crime game True Crime: Streets of L.A. The actors were
specially selected to add distinctive voices and talents to the game,
which includes a vast line-up of gangsters, street hustlers, social
deviants and reluctant heroes. The game will be available this fall for
the PlayStation2, Xbox and GameCube.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030418/laf010_1.html 

(Milan) Italy's Class Editori, the majority investor in Cfn/Cnbc, has
announced that it has formed a partnership with Ustream called
Cfn/CnbcMobile that it will offer its customers a financial news
video-clip service for their mobile phones. The service will require
either GPRS (2.5G) or UMTS (3G) technologies, the company said. Nokia's
handset, however, is currently the only one in Italy capable of delivering
Cfn/CnbcMobile's new video service, though several other handset
manufacturers are soon to follow. Class Editori Manager/Editor Paolo
Panerai was bullish on Cfn/Cnbc, saying that it "remains the top ranking
TV channel in Italy in broadcasting news on international financial
markets."
http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/April2003/5233.htm 

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

====================
CLASSIFIEDS - EVENTS
====================
To Post Events: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/eventpostingpage.htm 

Streaming Media NY, May 6-8, New York City

Streaming Media NY is rapidly approaching. In less than a month, business
leaders from all over the world will gather to learn about and explore the
latest trends, products, and services in streaming and digital media
technologies. The event features cutting-edge exhibitors and an intensive,
four-day Conference program with industry leading keynotes and the
brightest minds in the business. For more information, or to register to
attend, go to www.streamingmedia.com/NY
_____________________________________________

Protecting Energy Infrastructure - Pipeline Safety & Security Expo

May 22-23, 2003 at the Crystal City Marriott in Crystal City, VA. Top
Keynotes presented by government officials; Middle East Oil Security,
Reconstruction, & Legal Issues; Terrorism Table Top Simulation Exercise by
Naval Warfare College; Environmental Rules & Guidelines for Pipeline & Oil
Companies. For more information please contact Cory Capps at
capps@ejkrause.com or call 301-493-5500.
http://www.pipelinesecurityexpo.com
_____________________________________________

==========================
CLASSIFIEDS - MARKETPLACE
==========================
To Post Marketplace:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplacepostingpage.htm 

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_____________________________________________

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

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_____________________________________________

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.

Advertising, 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.