archives

o Musicians Tom Waits, Randy Newman, Heart Sue MP3.com Over Copyrights
o New Version of Napster Software Filters Songs Using "Audio Fingerprints"
o Report Predicts 95 Million Online Gamers by 2005
o 3-D Multi-User Chat Developer Blaxxun Raises $5 Million
> Wednesday -- Seminar: The Future of Digital Entertainment - D.C.
> Digital Media Wire Seminar: E-Publishing - NYC
o Briefly Noted: Crime.com - Timothy McVeigh, Easy CD Creator - Windows
crashes, GamePro magazine, SightSound Technologies, InPhonic -
PenguinRadio, TechTV - Wink Communications, Third Stream Media,
PickTheHits.com, AOL Time Warner Co-COO Richard Parsons, Audio
watermarking
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> Job Postings: PR Account Director, Desktop Publisher, Strategic Alliance
Manager, Copy Writing Project Coordinator

> Events/Services: "SpyWorm's SEX* Awards," "Sensory Circus"

Full Job/Event descriptions listed below "Briefly Noted" section or at
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/postings.html

To Post a Job: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobs.html
To Post an Event: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events.html
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o Musicians Tom Waits, Randy Newman, Heart Sue MP3.com Over Copyrights

Los Angeles -- Musicians Tom Waits, Randy Newman and Ann and Nancy Wilson
of the rock band Heart on Tuesday filed a $40 million copyright
infringement lawsuit against Web music company MP3.com. The claim is
similar to those filed by major and independent record labels against the
San Diego-based company stemming from its My.MP3.com service, which allows
users to listen to music they already own on CD through an online
streaming audio service. MP3.com has paid out in excess of $150 million to
the major record labels to resolve similar litigation, where high damages
were awarded based on the company's "willful" infringement of copyrights.
The current lawsuit seeks the maximum damages of $150,000 per song, and
includes hits like Newman's "I Love L.A," Heart's "Crazy on You" and
Waits' entire 1999 Grammy-winning "Mule Variations" album. "This is a case
of artists banding together to protect their most valuable assets - their
songs," said attorney Bruce Van Dalsem, who filed the complaint in Los
Angeles on Monday.
http://www.mp3.com
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o New Version of Napster Software Filters Songs Using "Audio Fingerprints"

Redwood City, Calif. -- File-sharing service Napster has released a new
version of its software, which utilizes recently-acquired technology from
Virginia-based Relatable to filter copyrighted songs from the service
based on a song's unique "audio fingerprint." The fingerprint is a "small
amount of data that represents the unique sound recording of a file,"
Napster said. The new software can also identify different versions of the
same recording, further increasing the strength of Napster's song-blocking
efforts. In addition to song-blocking, Napster said it will use the audio
fingerprints to provide "major usability enhancements," which could
include the ability to continue downloads that are cancelled or time out
for various reasons.
http://www.napster.com/pressroom/pr/010506-qanda.html
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o Report Predicts 95 Million Online Gamers by 2005

San Diego -- Over 95 million people worldwide will be playing games online
by the year 2005, according to a report published Tuesday by analyst firm
DFC Intelligence. Online games will help to fuel the expansion of
broadband, the report goes on to say, but it is still unclear how
companies will make a profit. "People will pay for games, and online games
are likely to be a key reason that many consumers pay extra for a
high-bandwidth service," said DFC Intelligence president David Cole. DFC
says that online games are still a nascent industry, but predicts that
some of the games currently available will generate over $300 million in
lifetime revenues for their developers.
http://www.dfcint.com/news/prMAY092001.html
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o 3-D Multi-User Chat Developer Blaxxun Raises $5 Million

Munich, Germany -- Blaxxun Interactive, a developer of multi-user chat
software that lets companies create 3-D virtual worlds, announced that it
has raised $5 million in its fourth round of venture capital financing. GE
Equity, as well as previous investors Kling Jelko, Konsortium AG and
Venture Select participated in the funding round. The profitable company
said the new funds will serve mainly as a growth reserve. Munich-based
Blaxxun's software is used by online communities -- such as Cybertown.com
-- that feature multi-user chat rooms and animated 3-D virtual worlds.
http://www.blaxxun.com/c/s?cat=5&sub=1&url=/press/pressreleases/indexcontent.html
http://www.cybertown.com
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> Wednesday -- Seminar: The Future of Digital Entertainment - DC

"The Future of Digital Entertainment: What's Next After Napster?"

Washington, D.C. | Sponsored by Katten Muchin Zavis
Wednesday, May 9th at The University Club

For more information and to register:
http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=13850&Referrer_id=4074

MODERATOR:
- David Halberstadter, Attorney, Katten Muchin Zavis

PANELISTS:
- Fritz Attaway, Executive Vice President & Washington General Counsel,
Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)
- Russell Frackman, Attorney, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP,
Lead counsel for the RIAA in their litigation vs. Napster
- Declan McCullagh, Washington Bureau Chief, Wired News
- Marybeth Peters, Register of Copyrights, U.S. Copyright Office
- Jonathan Potter, Executive Director, Digital Media Association (DiMA)
- Jenny Toomey, Executive Director, Coalition for the Future of Music
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> Digital Media Wire Seminar: E-Publishing - NYC

"E-Publishing: The Promise Of A New Book"

New York City | Tuesday, May 29th at The Cornell Club

For more information and to register:
http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=14290&Referrer_id=4074

MODERATOR:
- M.J. Rose, Journalist - Wired News,
Author of 'How to Publish and Promote Online' and 'In Fidelity'

PANELISTS:
- Wendy Silbert, Vice President of Media Development, LiveREADS
- Claire Zion, Editorial Director, iPublish.com - Time Warner Books
***Additional panelists TBA***
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o Briefly Noted:

(New York) Crime.com, the website for a soon-to-be-launched crime-focused
cable network, announced on Tuesday that it is offering webcams of the
scene outside the United States Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana where
convicted Oklahoma federal building bomber Timothey McVeigh awaits his
death by lethal injection. The "Countdown Cam" went live on April 30 and
will broadcast through McVeigh's scheduled 7:00 AM CST execution on May
16th.
http://www.crime.com

(Milpitas, Calif.) CD-recording software developer Roxio -- which offers
the Easy CD Creator program bundled with many CD-R computer drives -- has
confirmed that a small number of users who have tried to upgrade their software have experienced Windows crashes on their PCs, Wired News reported on Tuesday. The article cites CompUSA's technical support logs which have shown that "roughly half" of users who tried to upgrade to a newer version of the software "had to reinstall Windows from scratch to get their systems running properly again." Milpitas-based Roxio has released a software patch that it says will fix the problem, available at a link below.
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,43625,00.html
http://www.roxio.com/en/support/ecdc/ecdc501s.html;$sessionid$MIKIIZYAAFJQTJ4YZOWCM4Q

(San Francisco) Video game publications GamePro Magazine and GamePro.com
said on Tuesday that they will begin offering families detailed
information on industry game ratings in its publications. The new content
features -- which come in response to Congress' continued crackdown on
violent and explicit video games and entertainment -- will explain in
detail why a game has received its "M" for "mature" or other ESRB rating.
http://idg.com/www/pr.nsf/webPRForm?OpenForm&unid=F831ECBD93C574A088256A460055B88E http://www.gamepro.com
http://www.esrb.org

(Mt. Lebanon, Pa.) Video and audio download retailer SightSound
Technologies announced on Tuesday that it is selling what it claims to be
the first movie available for download to a handheld device. "Quantum
Project," which stars Stephen Dorff and John Cleese, will be available
specifically for users of Compaq's iPAQ PocketPC for $3.95. The 30MB
encrypted Windows Media file movie has been re-encoded to a resolution of
240X100 to accommodate for the device's relatively tiny screen.
http://www.sightsound.com/Corporate/PressMain.asp?RID=23

(Washington, DC) InPhonic, a developer of virtual private wireless
networks, and D.C.-based PenguinRadio, an Internet audio technology
company, have formed an alliance designed to offer content from Internet
radio stations over cellular phones. "This relationship enables us to push
forward our goal of using a phone as a next generation Internet audio
device," said Andrew Leyden, CEO of PenguinRadio.
http://penguinradio.com
http://inphonic.com

(Alameda, Calif.) Technology-focused cable network TechTV said on Tuesday
that it will add enhanced TV content to two additional programs -- "Audio
File" and "Extended Play" -- using Alameda-based interactive TV developer
Wink Communications' technology. The supplementary information, such as
reviews of featured products, show-specific polls and upcoming program
schedules, is available to viewers with Wink-enabled set-top boxes as well
as DirecTV subscribers.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010508/sftu050.html
http://www.techtv.com
http://www.wink.com

(Denver) Third Stream Media, a developer of in-store digital entertainment
kiosks, announced on Tuesday that Michael Fitts has been named as the
company's new president and CEO. Most recently, Fitts was president of
Synergy Music Group, a radio promotions and music marketing company.
Denver-based Third Stream's kiosks connect to the Internet and let
shoppers listen to digital music samples and preview video content from
inside a retail store.
http://www.thirdstream.net

(Oakton, Va.) PickTheHits.com, a website that test-markets new music for
the recording industry, announced on Tuesday that Keith Ellis has been
named president and COO of the company. Ellis was most recently vice
president of strategic alliances for ThinkXML. Virginia-based
PickTheHits.com also said that Kevin McGrail, previously president of
Peregrine Hardware, has been named the company's new chief technology
officer.
http://www.pickthehits.com

(San Francisco) CNET is currently featuring an interview with Richard
Parsons, AOL Time Warner's Co-COO. In it, Parsons discusses why
entertainment on the Internet can't remain free, and touches briefly on
his companies plans to distribute music, movies and other entertainment
online.
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1014-201-5846645-0.html?tag=bt_pr
http://www.aoltimewarner.com/about/whos_who/seniorcorpexecs/Parsons.html

(New York) The latest issue of business publication The Economist features
an article on digital audio watermarking, and the dispute that has ensued
between the Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI) and researchers who
participated in the consortium's "hacker challenge" to test and try to
break its watermarking technology.
http://www.economist.com/science/displayStory.cfm?Story_ID=611026

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Job Postings:
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To Post Jobs: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobs.html

> The Hoffman Agency, PR Account Director - New York City

Seeking senior-level PR professional w/ 8-12 yrs. high-tech PR exp.,
strong client management skills and proven media & analyst relationships.
Investor Relations experience a big "plus". Duties include: mentoring
account teams, communicating strategies to client & team, developing
'launch' strategies, product positioning, messaging & creative tactical
ideas.
Send resumes to resume@hoffman.com
http://www.hoffman.com
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> Dow Jones & Company, Desktop Publisher - Washington, D.C.

Seeking Desktop Publisher to produce the Dow Jones Newswires family of
Newsletters. Responsible for producing at least one 8-12 page newsletter
per day, combining text, graphics & data graphs exported from
spreadsheets. Must have 3+ yrs. exp. in daily publishing environment.
Knowledge of PageMaker, Acrobat, PhotoShop or Illustrator required.
Send resume to mary.pergament@dowjones.com
http://www.dj.com/careers
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> ClassMates.com, Strategic Alliance Manager - San Francisco

Seeking someone w/ 3+ yrs. strategic selling exp., specifically online
media products and sponsorships to join the Online Media Sales Team.
Proven ability to exceed quotas of $1M/yr. Strong sales, negotiation &
business presentation skills. Must have a 'Rolodex' of contacts. History
of building strategic relationships online & through traditional brick &
mortar channels.
Send resume to lnguyen@corp.classmates.com
http://www.classmates.com
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> Globix, Copy Writing Project Coordinator - New York City

The Project Coordinator will be an accomplished copywriter with talent for
writing original promotional, advertising, informational and technical
copy. Other duties include coordinating projects, dealing with graphic
designers & printers, securing estimates, follow-ups, trade show support,
proofreading & editing. Minimum 2 years copy writing experience.
Send resumes to xyz@globix.com
http://www.globix.com/jobs

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Event Postings:
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To Post Events: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events.html

> SpyWorm's SEX* Awards, September 13 - Los Angeles

SpyWorm, a webcasting production house based in Venice, CA, is recruiting
thirty filmmakers to each create a 5-minute "reality based" short on SEX.
Each filmmaker will be provided with DV gear, $100 lunch money and three
(3) days of postproduction services. The top fifteen (15) pieces, as
determined by a panel of esteemed judges, will screen at SpyWorm's SEX*
Awards on September 13, 2001, and compete for cash prizes: 1st Prize
$5,000; 2nd Prize $2,500; 3rd Prize $1,000. All interested filmmakers are
encouraged to e-mail their resumes & best short pitch about SEX* by June
15 to pitches@spyworm.tv
http://www.spyworm.tv
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> Sensory Circus, June 9 - Los Angeles

Art, fashion, music, technology and film come together for the debut of
Sensory Circus on June 9, 2001 at the Wyndham Bel Age Hotel in West
Hollywood. This electric and sophisticated event will extend throughout
every ballroom, terrace and rooftop showcasing new bands and DJ's, the
latest fashions, and visual, technological and sculpture artists.
Sponsors include The Wyndham Bel Age Hotel, Digital Media Wire, SpyWorm,
DreamSpan, Lisa Kline, Otto Models and Green Galactic. Artists are invited
to submit works for consideration. To submit an artistic work, inquire
about sponsorship or register for the event, please visit
http://www.sensorycircus.com
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