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May 3, 2004 -- About Us | Advertise | Events | Publications | Subscribe

Main Stories
o EU Issues Warning on Music-Copyright Rules for Internet
o Tennessee Colleges Reject Napster Offer for Campus Digital Music Service
o Interactive TV Firm Liberate Technologies Files for Bankruptcy
o Microsoft Releases New Digital Rights Management Software
o Cablevision Launches Subscription Games On Demand Service
o Report: Video-on-Demand Orders Eclipse Pay-Per-View for First Time
o Video Compression Firm DivXNetworks Raises $7 Million
o Gigex Changes Name to GameDAILY, Acquires Two Games Firms

 > DMW Announcements:
 --Washington Digital Media Conference - June 18, 2004
 --Digital Media Law Report - Volume 3 - March/April  

 > Featured Advertisement:
 --PricewaterhouseCoopers' Entertainment and Media Outlook
 --Pacific West Marketing
 

o Briefly Noted: OpenTV - QVC, MPEG LA - SAGEM lawsuit, Pace Micro Technology - Gemstar-TV Guide, Yahoo en espanol - Fox Sports, NXTV - Japan, Sportskool, Square Enix - E3 lineup, Mforma - Barry Bonds - Yahoo, Zingy - Snoop Dogg

 
> Job/Event/Marketplace Classifieds:
--Digital Media Content Manager
--IT Perm and Contract Placement Services
--HireStrategy - Treasury Manager
--Account Executive
--Regional Manager, Business Development
--Director Business Development (DBD)
--Infrastructure Sales Executive
--Sr. Account Executives
--Advanced Selling for High Tech Professionals
--2nd Annual BNA Contracting and Homeland Security Forum -- May 10-12
--Supplier Diversity Summit at SUPERCOMM 2004, June 21, Chicago, IL
 


o EU Issues Warning on Music-Copyright Rules for Internet

Brussels -- In a statement released on Monday, the European Commission (EC) told organizations that collect royalties for musicians that they may be breaking European competition rules and announced that it would launch an investigation into the matter. "The European Commission has warned 16 organizations that collect royalties on behalf of music authors that their so-called Santiago agreement is potentially in breach of EU competition rules," the Commission said. The EC voiced concerns that several cross-licensing agreements between societies had caused a de facto "lock up" of national territories, thereby extending national monopolies to the Internet. The Commission was informed of the Santiago Agreement in April 2001 by collecting societies in France, Germany, the Netherlands and the U.K. "The Commission believes that there should be competition between collecting societies to the benefit of companies that offer music on the Internet and to consumers that listen to it," the EC said in a statement.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?L28425238
_____________________________________________

o Tennessee Colleges Reject Napster Offer for Campus Digital Music Service

Murfreesboro, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Board of Regents, which presides over 45 state universities and 180,000 students, has rejected an offer from Napster to provide a digital music subscription service at a cost of $9.99 per month per student, the Associated Press reported. Napster has launched pilot programs at both Penn State and the University of Rochester, but the financial terms of those deals call for the music service to be provided at a steep discount, according to TheRegister. The $9.99 mandatory fee, combined with the perception that illegal downloading doesn't pose a specific problem for the schools, was the reasoning for the Board's rejection of the offer, Bob Adams, the Regents' vice chancellor for business and finance, told AP.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?A21D23338
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/04/30/tennessee_rejects_musictax
http://www.tbr.state.tn.us 
http://www.napster.com  
____________________________________________

o Interactive TV Firm Liberate Technologies Files for Bankruptcy

San Mateo, Calif. -- Liberate Technologies, a provider of interactive TV software and services, announced on Friday that it has filed for Ch. 11 bankruptcy, in order to "resolve certain outstanding liabilities, reduce costs and strengthen its financial position," the company said. Liberate, which makes software used in advanced cable TV set-top boxes, reported $222.3 million in cash and short-term investments and $21.7 million in liabilities. The company has recently suffered an SEC probe into its accounting practices and management turnover, but said it expects to emerge from bankruptcy within 4-6 months.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040430/sff066_1.html 
http://www.liberate.com
____________________________________________

o Microsoft Releases New Digital Rights Management Software

Redmond, Wash. -- Microsoft on Monday released a new version of its digital rights management software, offering new features such as protection of subscription-based or on-demand digital music and video content. The software defines usage rights for content distributed to Windows-based PCs, portable audio and video devices, cell phones and networked devices within the home. The new Janus technology includes secure time clocks for portable devices, which enable content whose subscription has lapsed to become unplayable. "The next generation of Windows Media DRM breaks new ground for music and video services so they can offer consumers more choices and an even better experience when buying, renting or previewing premium content," said Amir Majidimehr, corporate vice president of Microsoft's Windows digital media division."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040503/sfm081_1.html
____________________________________________

o Cablevision Launches Subscription Games On Demand Service

Bethpage, N.Y. -- Cable TV operator Cablevision on Monday launched a subscription-based video game service, available to its one million iO: Interactive Optimum digital cable customers. The seven games initially offered will soon expand to include a suite of casino-style titles, with free demos available for all games and unlimited access for $4.95 per month. The interface for the service was designed by Los Angeles-based Schematic, with games being provided by Visionik, a unit of News Corp.'s NDS.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040503/nym100_1.html 
http://www.visionik.com 
http://www.io.tv
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o Report: Video-on-Demand Orders Eclipse Pay-Per-View for First Time

New Orleans -- December 2003 marked the first month where orders for video-on-demand programming were greater than those for pay-per-view content, according to data from In Demand, a provider of both services to cable TV operators. In Demand noted that video-on-demand has only been available for the last two years, and in less than half as many of its subscribers' homes as pay-per-view. "We started out the year as a pay-per-view business and ended it as a VOD business," said In Demand president and CEO Steve Brenner. "Better still, the transformation of the business that began in the fourth quarter of 2003 has continued and accelerated through the first few months of 2004." The company added that movie studios are increasingly releasing titles with 30-day windows to video-on-demand, and are generating the most revenue with these newer titles.
http://www.indemand.com
____________________________________________

o Video Compression Firm DivXNetworks Raises $7 Million

San Diego, Calif. -- DivXNetworks, a provider of video compression and video-on-demand delivery technologies, announced on Monday that it has raised $7 million in its third round of venture capital financing. Zone Ventures led the investment round; WI Harper Group, Draper Atlantic, Wasatch Venture Fund, Springboard-Harper, Tim Draper, Cardinal Venture Capital, ALi Corporation and Cyberlink International Technology Corp also participated. San Diego-based DivXNetworks develops the DivX "DVD-quality" video codec, which it says has been installed on 120 million PCs and consumer electronics worldwide. The company, which is already profitable, said it will use the new funds to increase its marketing, sales, engineering and support efforts.
http://www.divxnetworks.com
____________________________________________

o Gigex Changes Name to GameDAILY, Acquires Two Games Firms

San Francisco -- Gigex, a video game media company, announced on Monday its acquisition of GameDAILY, a daily video game industry newsletter, and Gamerfeed, a site for gaming fanatics. The merged companies will operate under the name GameDAILY. The company said its consumer site reaches over 23 million gamers each month through a syndication network of 130 affiliated sites and portals. "These acquisitions are the foundation of a leading new vertically integrated media company focused on video game entertainment for both consumers and business customers," said GameDAILY CEO Mark Friedler.
http://biz.gamedaily.com

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 > DMW Events:

Washington
Digital Media Conference

June 18
, 2004  |  Washington, DC
www.digitalmediaconference.com

OVERVIEW

Media and entertainment companies are going through a digital transformation, which is impacting traditional business models and changing the way we distribute, access and market media and entertainment.

Washington Digital Media Conference brings together decision-makers from the leading media, entertainment and technology companies in the Greater Washington, DC area for a 1-day executive forum focused on business, legal/policy and technology developments impacting digital media.

Get a unique view of the future of media and entertainment from the inside. Gain insight into new business opportunities driving the transformation of entertainment and media businesses. Take a hard look at how traditional challenges to sustainable business models are dissolving, only to be replaced by new obstacles, and how we can prepare now to overcome them. Examine media and entertainment-based technologies emerging today and explore how these technologies are driving the transformation of the media and entertainment industries.

How are traditional business models being reinvented? What are the challenges and opportunities involving digital media? What do you need to do to stay competitive in the technology age? Be a part of this inaugural event, which brings together the business and government leaders who are transforming the Greater Washington, DC area into a center for digital media innovation and development.

REGISTRATION
Early Bird Registration: $195 (until May 24th)
Pre-Registration: $295 (until June 11th)
Registration: $395 (after June 11th)

Online :  http://kb.digitalmediawire.com/register.php?eventid=1067
Phone: 323-822-0936

To submit speakers for or request information about exhibiting or sponsoring at the 2004 conference, please contact Tinzar Than, VP, Marketing & Events, Digital Media Wire, Inc. at: tinzar@digitalmediawire.com.


Digital Media Law Report
New Featured Section - Volume 3 - 2004

We are pleased to announce that we have added a "Featured Section" to Digital Media Law & Policy Report. We will use this section to provide in depth coverage of certain cases, events and policy developments each month.

Subscriptions
-
Order
Volume 3 - March/April 2004 Report - Order

 

Past Events | Sponsorship Materials | Partners & Clients
 

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> Featured Advertisement: 

> PricewaterhouseCoopers' Entertainment and Media Outlook

Purchase the book every entertainment and media executive must have. The PricewaterhouseCoopers' Entertainment and Media Outlook: 2003-2007 analyzes key trends and forecasts spending in the U.S. and Canada across 14 industry segments, including a Global Overview that forecasts spending and analyzes trends worldwide (also sold separately). More Information
___________________ 

> Pacific West Marketing

Pacific West Marketing offers quality, innovative, uniquely designed products and concepts with a creative flair, for all of your Special Events, Promotional Programs, Corporate Identity Programs, Recognition & Awards, etc.

All of our quality products can be Customized with your Corporate Logo! Please visit our website: www.pacificwestmarketing.com

Make your next Promotion a Special Event!! Contact Pacific West Marketing today: 949-489-2110 Email: Ed@pacificwestmarketing.com
 

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o Briefly Noted:

(San Francisco) OpenTV, a provider of interactive TV software and services, announced on Monday an agreement with home shopping network QVC to develop a two-way interactive TV shopping service, enabling viewers to make purchases via their television's remote control. The service is expected to launch initially this summer for 1.3 million homes equipped with Motorola and Scientific Atlanta Explorer set-top boxes. San Francisco-based OpenTV also announced the launch of two interactive applications that allow viewers to select different camera angles and audio feeds within sports and news broadcasts.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040503/35489_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040503/35495_1.html 
http://www.qvc.com 
http://www.opentv.com

(Denver) MPEG LA, a consortium of companies holding patents on MPEG video-related technology, announced on Monday that several of its member companies have sued French consumer electronics firm SAGEM for patent infringement. Plaintiffs to the action included Matsushita, Philips, Sony and Thomson. "For almost seven years, MPEG LA and essential MPEG-2 patent holders have separately offered SAGEM a license, but SAGEM has ignored its duties in regard to the responsible use of intellectual property," said MPEG LA chief executive Baryn S. Futa.
http://www.mpegla.com 
http://www.sagem.com

(New Orleans) Set-top box manufacturer Pace Micro Technology announced on Monday that it has signed an agreement with Gemstar-TV Guide International, to feature the company's interactive program guides on Pace set-tops. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
http://www.gemstartvguide.com 
http://www.pacemicro.com

(Coral Gables, Fla.) Yahoo's Spanish-language Internet sports portal Yahoo en espanol announced on Monday that it has created a co-branded Spanish-language sports site for U.S Hispanic network Fox Sports en Espanol. Yahoo Argentina and Yahoo Mexico will co-manage the site, which will offer content including streaming video of Fox's coverage of the Copa Toyota Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana football tournaments.
http://fse.yahoo.com 
http://yahooenespanol.com

(Los Angeles) NXTV, a provider of in-room interactive entertainment services for luxury hoteliers, said on Monday that it has partnered with NTT East and Commuture to offer its services in the Japanese market. The Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi will be the first Japanese property added to Los Angeles-based NXTV's service, which is currently offered in a total of 5,000 hotel rooms.
http://www.nxtv.com

(Jericho, N.Y.) Sportskool, a unit of Rainbow Sports Networks that offers video-on-demand sports and fitness instruction, on Monday announced the launch of Streetskool, a new programming block that will target action sports enthusiasts. The company said it will offer a skateboarding program featuring pro skater Mike Vallely and a street basketball program featuring Paul Pierce of the NBA's Boston Celtics.
http://www.sportskool.com

(Los Angeles) Japanese game developer Square Enix on Monday announced the slate of new titles it will display at next week's E3 Expo in Los Angeles. For the PlayStation 2, the company will be showing "Front Mission 4," "Star Ocean: Till the End of Time," "Fullmetal Alchemist," "Final Fantasy XII" and "Kingdom Hearts II." The company will also showcase "Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories" for Game Boy Advance and its "Final Fantasy XI Chains of Promathia" expansion pack for the online PC title. Visitors will additionally be able to demo versions of Square Enix titles available on 3G phones in Japan.
http://www.square-enix-usa.com/seui

(Santa Monica, Calif.) Wireless entertainment publisher Mforma Group announced on Monday that it has secured exclusive rights from MLB slugger Barry Bonds to release a mobile game using his name and likeness, "Barry Bonds: Home Run History." Santa Monica, Calif.-based Mforma also announced that several of its titles will now be available on Yahoo's mobile games portal. Games including "Universal Studios' Dracula," "Activision's Call of Duty" and "Paramount Pictures' Top Gun Air Combat" will be offered for between $1.49 and $5.99.
http://www.mforma.com 
http://mobile.yahoo.com

(New York) Mobile entertainment publisher Zingy said on Monday that it has signed an agreement with hip-hop artist Snoop Dogg, and is now the exclusive distributor of ringtones, ringback tones and voicemail greetings featuring original voice recordings from the artist.
http://www.zingy.com

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> Classifieds:

> Digital Media Content Manager

Manage content acquisition and launch for various Digital Media products. Coordinate with partners and Nextel Business Development to obtain Digital Media Content for catalog· Manage relationships with publishers and aggregators of Digital Media content · Manage operational processes for posting of products Coordinate with marketing and partners for promotion of Digital Media products· Send resume and cover letter to chris.allison@nextel.com.   Support field and marketing on application questions www.nexteljobs.com  60461.
_________________

> IT Perm and Contract Placement Services

Technical Staffing Solutions specializes in recruiting the hard to find candidates with or without high level DoD security clearances. We can provide your firm with solutions ranging from 1 permanent employee to a team of technical consultants for the duration of your short or long term engagement. Send inquiries to Skip Kearnes at skearnes@techstaffsolutions.com  or call 703-451-3882 for more information.
___________________

> HireStrategy - Treasury Manager

Candidate will oversee a staff of two and will perform servicing reports for 3 Lines of Credit, Cash allocations for the lines of credit, forecast using a cash mgmt model, oversee wire transfers/cash transfers, work with investment bankers and deal teams, and handle business loan trusts. Qualified candidates will have 4-7 years of exp. with an accounting foundation. Financial services experience is preferred. Please send resume to mmolinas@hirestrategy.com or visit http://www.hirestrategy.com/quicklinks/hire185.asp
_________________

> Account Executive

Account Executive and Inside Sales position available for highly motivated individuals with success selling software development services to private sector customers. Since 1982, Information Concepts (http://www.InfoConcepts.com) develops fixed-price, custom web-based, mission critical, database applications. Commissions based on gross sales with no limit on commission earnings. Send resumes to Resumes@InfoConcepts.com
_________________

> Regional Manager, Business Development

New Business Sales Executive needed by a Web training company located in Washington, DC. Successful candidate will have the ability to prospect, propose and close training and consulting solutions with Fortune 1000 and technology companies. Requirements include professionalism, strong communications skills, knowledge of the internet, and a successful track record of exceeding sales objectives. Competitive base plus incentives and benefits. Send resumes to lgant@westlake.com
____________________

> Director Business Development (DBD)

Major, Hagen & Africa is the world's largest attorney recruiting firm with the top in-house and law firm placement record globally. The DBD will be responsible for client sourcing strategies and the relationship development process with C-level executives, General Counsels, CFO's and VP's of HR. Minimum of two years' consultative selling experience including knowledge of the Bay Area business sectors, preferably within the bio-tech/pharma industry; JD or advanced degree is a plus. Submit resume and salary requirements. Send resumes to jmckinlay@mhaglobal.com
____________________

> Infrastructure Sales Executive

Systems Alliance is a Baltimore-based technology co. Position reports to V P Sales and proactively markets tech infrastructure incl. servers and storage. Responsibilities incl. dev. pipeline of infrastructure opportunities & participating in dev. of configs. Tech skills req'd are knowledge of various network environments & architectures. 5+ yrs selling complex tech solutions ideal. See sysalli.com/Careers/JobPostings.html for more information. Send resumes to pchapman@systemsalliance.com
____________________

> Sr. Account Executives

You will be the primary person on our new accounts, and direct and execute our programs. You will contribute to strategy, and be responsible for media relations, analyst programs, industry outreach, as well as customer profiles. Successful candidates will have at least 4 years of agency or relevant industry experience. You will have excellent track records with PR programs, superior placements in business and technology press, top-notch writing and pitching know-how and a strong grasp of technology markets. Please send your cover letter and resume to jobs@corporateink.com The pitch should tell us why you're the person we're seeking. For more visit http://www.corporateink.com
 ____________________

> Advanced Selling for High Tech Professionals

Are Sales Cycles getting longer?  Are your discounts getting larger? Do prospects keep you at arms length? The Sandler Sales Institute of VA has a GUARANTEED program for High Tech Professionals that will help you to solve these problems. Held at Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology, May 13th and 14th, 8:30am- 4:30pm. Admission is $995.00. For more information visit: http://www.sandlersalesguru.com or call 866-904-0600. Send inquiries to kevin@sandlersalesguru.com
___________________

> 2nd Annual BNA Contracting and Homeland Security Forum -- May 10-12

Homeland security forum speakers from the Department of Homeland Security:
include Steven Cooper, CIO; Josh Filler, Director of the Office of State
and Local Government Coordination; David Bolka, Director of HSARPA;
Gregory Rothwell, Chief Procurement Officer; Kevin Boshears, Director,
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization; Hugo Teufel,
Associate General Counsel for General Law; and Patrick Schambach, CIO,
Transportation Security Administration. Info/Registration:
http://www.homeland-conference.com/
___________________

> Supplier Diversity Summit at SUPERCOMM 2004, June 21, Chicago, IL

The Supplier Diversity Summit at SUPERCOMM 2004 in Chicago is a forum for MWDVBEs and corporate supplier diversity teams to stay current on the latest business, political, regulatory and technical activities in the telecommunications industry. For more information on the summit, visit http://www.tiaonline.org/events/supplierdiv2004.cfm Send inquiries to lream@tiaonline.org

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About Us
Digital Media Wire, Inc. is a news organization, publisher and events company serving the digital media industry since May 2000. Our daily newsletter delivers original briefings on business, legal and financial developments shaping digital media and read by over 30,000 executives and professionals. To subscribe for free, please click here.

Digital Media Wire, Inc. is part of the Tech Wire Media Group, an international network of publications that includes Digital Media Law Report, 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 70,000 individuals from over 70 countries each business day.

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Executive & Editorial Team
Chief Executive Officer: Ned Sherman
VP, Marketing & Events: Tinzar Than
Editor: Mark Hefflinger

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