archives

o RIAA Urges Congress to Provide Additional Funds to Combat Piracy
o Judge Rules Local Counties Can Regulate Kids' Access to Video Games
o Microsoft Lays Off 60 From Microsoft TV Unit
o Infogrames Buys Shiny Unit, "Matrix" License from Interplay for $47M
o Cable Network TechTV Lays Off 50, Adds More Entertainment-Based Shows
> Digital Media Wire Wine Tasting Event: Los Angeles | May 9
o Briefly Noted: Sonicblue, ILive - broadband access, AOL - high-speed
content, EXPN Action Sports On Demand, Acclaim Entertainment - Dave Mirra,
Loudeye Technologies - Akamai, Electronic Arts - Al Michaels, Star Wars
Fan Film Awards
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o RIAA Urges Congress to Provide Additional Funds to Combat Piracy

Washington, DC -- The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
urged lawmakers at a Senate hearing on Tuesday to provide more federal
funds to combat the piracy of music. The International Federation of the
Phonographic Industry (IFPI), an affiliate of the RIAA, estimates industry
losses to piracy at $4.2 billion annually, not counting Internet piracy.
In comments submitted by RIAA CEO Hilary Rosen, the group representing
major record labels asked for additional funds for federal anti-piracy law
enforcement efforts and a renewed focus on protecting intellectual
property. Specifically, the RIAA applauded the government's creation of
CHIPs (Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property units), arguing for more
units to be created and that their focus not be computer hacking to the
exclusion of intellectual property. "We need to explore creative
approaches to creating appropriate deterrent levels on the Internet in
coordination with private industry," Rosen wrote, in her testimony.
http://www.riaa.org/PR_story.cfm?id=511
http://www.riaa.org/pdf/WolfhearingTestimony4-23-02.pdf
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-891521.html?tag=fd_top
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o Judge Rules Local Counties Can Regulate Kids' Access to Video Games

St. Louis -- A U.S. District Court judge has ruled that local counties can
restrict minors' access to local video arcades as well as their purchasing
of home video games that contain violent or sexually explicit content, the
Associated Press reported. Senior U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh
rejected a request from the Interactive Digital Software Association, an
industry trade group, to throw out a St. Louis County ordinance that would
require children under 17 to have parental consent if purchasing violent
or sexually explicit games or playing them in public arcades. Judge
Limbaugh said that the county has a compelling interest to protect its
children and to help parents to do the same, and that video games do not
construe protected speech. "The decision is clearly in conflict with
virtually every other federal court decision on this and related issues,
said Doug Lowenstein, president of plaintiff Interactive Digital Software
Association. "We're confident that our position will be sustained on
appeal."
http://www.msnbc.com/news/743480.asp?0dm=C17MT
http://www.idsa.org/
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o Microsoft Lays Off 60 From Microsoft TV Unit

Redmond, Wash. -- Microsoft has laid off 60 employees, or about 10 percent
of the staff in its TV group, which includes some working on the company's
Ultimate TV service, The San Jose Mercury News reported. Microsoft
previously laid off a third of the staff at Ultimate TV -- a personal
video recorder device and service the company offered to DirecTV
subscribers. Microsoft's middleware, or software that acts as an operating
system for digital TV set-top boxes, has not been well received in the
marketplace, losing several major contracts from firms including AT&T
Broadband to middleware made by rival Liberate Technologies. Microsoft
will now focus more on developing middleware for low-end set-top boxes,
which offer fewer interactive features and are at the moment more popular
among cable TV operators.
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/local/3118247.htm
http://news.com.com/2100-1040-891413.html?tag=fd_top
http://www.microsoft.com/tv
_____________________________________________

o Infogrames Buys Shiny Unit, "Matrix" License from Interplay for $47M

New York -- Infogrames, a publisher of interactive entertainment software,
announced on Thursday that it has acquired Shiny Entertainment, a unit of
game developer Interplay Entertainment, in a transaction valued at $47
million. Included in the sale are the exclusive rights that Laguna Beach,
Calif.-based Shiny had acquired to produce video games for all platforms
based on the sequels to the Warner Bros. film, "The Matrix." New
York-based Infogrames said it will publish Shiny's first title based on
"The Matrix Reloaded," the first sequel, at the same time that the film is
released in May 2003. "To add Shiny and 'The Matrix' franchise to our
portfolio is a tremendous coup for Infogrames," said Bruno Bonnell,
chairman and CEO. Infogrames also said it signed a long-term employment
agreement with Shiny president David Perry to remain in his role with the
company.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020425/nyth075_1.html
http://www.shiny.com/
http://www.infogrames.com
http://www.interplay.com
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o Cable Network TechTV Lays Off 50, Adds More Entertainment-Based Shows

San Francisco -- TechTV, a 24-hour technology-focused cable TV network,
said that it has laid off 50 of its employees and announced a new
programming focus to include more entertainment-based shows. The network
launched a lineup of daily live programming a year ago that covered the
business of technology, but has since scaled back its live programming
efforts. "Our research has shown us that our audience has a broad
definition of technology. As a result, TechTV has added more
entertainment-based technology programming with a new line up of
acquisitions and commissions, in addition to our existing, original
programming," said TechTV COO Joe Gillespie.
http://www.techtv.com 
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-890733.html?tag=cd_mh
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VIC@ The Mayan Reunion 2002 in Association with Internet World Spring

Come and rekindle the memories of the past on Thursday, April 25 at
7:30p.m. at the VIC@ The Mayan Reunion 2002, in association with Internet
World Spring.

VIC was the professional association ('95-'01) that brought networking,
education and a sense of community to digital media professionals across
Southern California. So everyone is welcome to share the spirit of the old
VIC community gatherings during Internet World Spring this week. See
further details at:
http://www.tbdweekly.com/vicmayan.htm

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o Briefly Noted:

(Santa Clara, Calif.) Consumer electronics firm Sonicblue announced on
Thursday that it will change the pricing structure for its ReplayTV line
of personal video recorders, reducing the retail price for the device as
it increases service subscription rates. Previous models that came with a
lifetime service subscription at purchase will not be affected. Santa
Clara-based Sonicblue will detail the new pricing when it announces plans
for its ReplayTV 4500 model this summer. "We intend to achieve 30 percent
market share for digital video recorders this year based largely on our
entry into mainstream retail channels," said Steve Shannon, vice president
of ReplayTV product marketing for Sonicblue.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020425/250072_1.html
http://www.sonicblue.com

(Irvine, Calif.) ILive, a provider of Internet-based video-on-demand
programming, announced on Thursday that it has begun marketing a broadband
Internet access service to consumers. Offering speeds from 256K up to T1,
Irvine, Calif.-based ILive said that subscribers will be given free
credits each month to view pay-per-view programs on ILive.com, which
include episodes of television programs such as "I Love Lucy" and
"Bonanza."
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020425/250174_1.html
http://www.ilive.com

(Dulles, Va.) America Online on Thursday announced that it will provide
its subscribers who have high-speed Internet access exclusive content
provided by a number of sports and entertainment celebrities. Programs
include the "Win or Go Home Report" with NBA basketball player Charles
Barkley, providing analysis and predictions of NBA games airing on TNT and
TBS; "On the Record with Bob Costas," based on the sports commentator's
HBO program; and "Extra," an entertainment news show featuring radio and
TV host Leeza Gibbons.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020425/252125_1.html

(New York) Sports cable TV network ESPN announced that it will launch EXPN
Action Sports on Demand, a TV and Internet-based subscription
video-on-demand service featuring coverage of action sports including BMX,
skateboarding and snowboarding. The network plans to launch the service
for cable subscribers and on the Internet in conjunction with its Winter X
Games VII event in February 2003. The service will be offered for around
$3.95 per month.
http://expn.go.com/gen/s/020425_broad.html

(Glen Cove, N.Y.) Game developer Acclaim Entertainment announced on
Thursday that it has re-signed professional BMX rider Dave Mirra to an
exclusive, five-year licensing sponsorship agreement. Mirra currently
serves as spokesperson for New York-based Acclaim's "Dave Mirra Freestyle
BMX" video games, which the company said have sold three million units
worldwide across all video game platforms. Hayward, Calif.-based studio
Z-Axis is currently working on the latest title, "Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX
3."
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020425/252055_1.html
http://www.acclaim.com
http://www.z-axis.com

(Seattle) Loudeye Technologies, a provider of webcasting and digital media
services, said on Thursday that it has expanded its relationship with
Akamai, a provider of content delivery network services. Under the
agreement, Loudeye's Activate subsidiary, which offers live audio and
video webcasting services and support, will integrate Akamai's services
into its offering. The two will jointly market and sell the combined
service to large companies and other entities that produce large-scale
webcasts.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020425/sfth022_1.html
http://www.loudeye.com
http://www.akamai.com

(Redwood City, Calif.) Game developer Electronic Arts announced on
Thursday that it has contracted NFL Monday Night Football co-host Al
Michaels to join the program's other co-host, John Madden, in recording
game commentary for EA's upcoming "Madden NFL 2003" title. In previous
editions, Madden can be heard in the background providing play-by-play
commentary on action in the video game. The new edition will feature
commentary from both hosts of the popular ABC sports program.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020425/252129_1.html
http://madden2002.ea.com/

(San Francisco) Wired News on Thursday featured an article on the Star
Wars Fan Film Awards, sponsored by short films site AtomFilms and
Lucasfilm -- "Star Wars" director George Lucas' production company. The
contest received about 250 submissions of films created by "Star Wars"
fans that in some way parody the films. Finalist films will be screened on
May 3 at the Lucasfilm official Star Wars Celebration II in Indianapolis,
with Lucas on hand to pick his favorite from the group. Winning films will
also air on a Sci-Fi network special hosted by director Kevin Smith. The
44 finalist films can be viewed on AtomFilms' website.
http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,51939,00.html
http://atomfilms.shockwave.com/af/spotlights/starwars/
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============================================================
DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE PRESENTS:
A Spring Celebration and Wine Tasting Honoring
Digital Media Wire Panelists
> Thursday, May 9, 2002, Los Angeles
============================================================
To register:
http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=22553&Referrer_id=4074

Join us and a distinguished group of our past panelists for a Spring
celebration featuring fine wines, delicious Asian appetizers and
networking.

WHEN: Thursday, May 9, 2002 (6:30PM - 8:30PM)
WHERE: Lucky Duck Restaurant (NE corner of La Brea and Wilshire)
PRICE: $25 (pre-registration); $30 (at the door)

Tasting and wines by Beaulieu Vineyard. Since 1900, BV has been a
benchmark of excellence in Napa Valley wines. Appetizers including crispy
Vietnamese spring rolls, chicken and beef satay, shrimp summer rolls and
vegetable dumplings by Lucky Duck Restaurant. For more information,
contact Ned Sherman at esherman@digitalmediawire.com or visit

http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=22553&Referrer_id=4074

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______________________

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Copyright 2002 Digital Media Wire