archives

o Congress Gets First Look at Labels' MusicNet Distribution Service
o Authors Guild Tells Writers Not to Sign with Time Warner's iPublish.com
o Secure Digital Music Initiative Fails to Decide on Technology
o Security Technology Provider Preview Systems Sells Assets, Shuts Down
o Internet Economy Publication Red Herring Lays Off 20% of Staff
o Briefly Noted: Amazon.com, SightSound Technologies, Ubi Soft -
"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," Enroute - Britney Spears, Gamasutra.com,
Infraworks
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> Job Postings: Senior Analyst, Media Analyst, Account Manager, Internet
Development Manager

> Events/Services: "Email Newsletter Tactics," "The SIBL Project
Songwriting Contest," "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 Congress Gets First Look at Labels' MusicNet Distribution Service

Washington, D.C. -- At a House Subcommittee Meeting dubbed "Music on the
Internet" on Thursday, members of Congress were given the first public
demonstration of MusicNet, a digital music distribution service being
created by Warner, EMI, BMG and RealNetworks. The demonstration was given
on RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser's laptop computer, which ironically was not
connected to the Internet during the demo of the online service. MSNBC.com
called MusicNet "just another smoke-and-mirrors attempt in this
post-Napster age to capitalize on the embattled notion of digitally
downloading music," adding that the labels' subscription-based services --
which also includes Sony and Universal's Duet -- are "clearly not ready
for prime time." The hearing addressed the issue of compensating
songwriters for online distribution of their music, and featured
country/folk singer Lyle Lovett testifying on behalf of the American
Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). His prepared
testimony, along with that of Edgar Bronfman Jr. of Vivendi Universal and
others is available at links below.
http://www.msnbc.com/news/574944.asp
http://www.wired.com/news/mp3/0,1285,43924,00.html

Lyle Lovett, musician:
http://www.ascap.com/legislative/lovettstatement.html
Edgar Bronfman, Jr., Vivendi Universal:
http://www.house.gov/judiciary/bronfman_051701.htm
Rob Glaser, RealNetworks:
http://www.house.gov/judiciary/glaser_051701.htm
Robin Richards, MP3.com:
http://www.house.gov/judiciary/richards_051701.htm
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o Authors Guild Tells Writers Not to Sign with Time Warner's iPublish.com

New York -- The Authors Guild has warned its writers not to publish their
works using Time Warner Books' iPublish.com service, saying that the
rights authors are asked to give up are too broad and royalty percentages
paid are too low. The Guild urged all writers -- including unpublished
authors not eligible for Guild membership -- to avoid the online service.
"The Authors Guild deplores Time Warner's exploitive approach," said Guild
president Letty Cottin Pogrebin. "We strongly advise authors who are
interested in digital publication to hold out for a publishing partner who
respects their work and a publishing agreement that reflects fundamental
standards of fair industry practice." iPublish editorial director Claire
Zion responded in a statement, saying "We're disappointed that the Authors
Guild chose to misrepresent iPublish's relationship with writers… Nothing
we ask for in our contract is unusual."
http://www.authorsguild.org/pripublish051701.html
http://www.ipublish.com
http://www.wired.com/news/ebiz/0,1272,43897,00.html
http://www.inside.com/jcs/Story?article_id=31119&pod_id=8
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o Secure Digital Music Initiative Fails to Decide on Technology

Amsterdam -- The Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI), a collective of
200 recording industry and technology companies working to develop a
standard security technology for the distribution of digital music,
announced on Friday that its members could not reach a consensus to adopt
any combination of the proposed technologies. SDMI has been working for
over two years on encryption and watermarking technologies that would be
used by the major labels and others to prevent piracy of online music.
"Selecting an appropriate technology for screening involves finding a
balance between the interests of consumers, rights holders, manufacturers,
and software producers -- a most challenging task," said Paul Jessop,
chief technology officer of the International Federation for the
Phonographic Industry, a member of SDMI. The organization will meet once
again in September "to re-assess technological advances in light of
emerging consumer needs."
http://www.sdmi.org
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o Security Technology Provider Preview Systems Sells Assets, Shuts Down

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Preview Systems, a provider of security that
protected digital media content delivery, announced on Friday that it will
sell its assets and wind down operations. Company CEO Vincent Pluvinage
said that the overall market for digital media distribution "has evolved
more slowly than originally forecasted." Chicago-based Aladdin Knowledge
Systems will pay $5 million to acquire some of the company's assets --
which include its electronic software distribution, patents and copyrights
-- and will retain 20 of Preview Systems' employees. Sunnyvale-based
Preview Systems said it will return an estimated $65 million to
shareholders at the end of the second quarter. The company has been
exploring strategic alternatives since February.
http://www.previewsystems.com/press/articles/051801_aladdin2.html
http://www.previewsystems.com/press/articles/051801_aladdin.html
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-5972294.html?tag=mn_hd
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o Internet Economy Publication Red Herring Lays Off 20% of Staff

San Francisco -- Red Herring Communications, which publishes the Internet
economy-related financial publication Red Herring, announced on Thursday
that it will lay off 20 percent of its staff, or 54 employees, as a result
of the current economy and declining advertising sales. The company did
not say where the cuts would be made, but CNET's report cited sources
saying that most would come at daily news site RedHerring.com and in its
events division. The layoffs add to cuts the company has made since
October, which bring the total to 111 employees. San Francisco-based Red
Herring said that it does not anticipate any more layoffs.
http://www.redherring.com
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-5965472.html?tag=cd_mh
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o Briefly Noted:

(Seattle) Online retailer Amazon.com announced on Friday a new feature
that will give users personalized local movie listings, customer and
editorial reviews and recommendations based on their buying habits on the
site. The company also partnered with Buena Vista Pictures Marketing to
promote the studio's upcoming film "Pearl Harbor."
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010518/0061.html
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/562436/ref=gw_hp_cs_1_2/107-4962169-7116512

(Mt. Lebanon, Penn.) Digital media distributor and entertainment site
SightSound Technologies announced on Friday that the company will begin
releasing 20 new movie downloads per week. They include: Dimension Films'
"Eye of the Beholder" and "Drowning Mona," and six episodes of Comedy
Central's "South Park." Pennsylvania-based SightSound uses Microsoft's
digital rights management to prevent copying of the downloads, which it
sells for between $2.50 and $3.95 for a two-day rental. It also offers a
"two-year ownership" of some movies for $14.95 and full purchase of others
for $4.95.
http://www.sightsound.com/Corporate/PressMain.asp?RID=24

(Los Angeles) Video game publisher Ubi Soft announced on Friday that it
has retained the license to make video games based on Ang Lee's martial
arts film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" from Sony Pictures Consumer
Products. Games will be released in the spring of 2002 for the PC, Sony's
PlayStation 2, Microsoft's Xbox and Nintendo's GameCube and Game Boy
Advance.
http://www.ubisoft.com

(Los Angeles) Internet video developer Enroute announced that singer
Britney Spears will appear in an interactive concert DVD that uses the
company's 360-degree wrap-around video technology. Utilizing a video
game-like controller, Los Angeles-based Enroute's technology lets users
look up, down, left, right, zoom in, zoom out, turn around and see
everything happening from a full 360-degree perspective.
http://www.fpvideo.com/press/bs_press_release1.htm

(San Francisco) Online game developer community site Gamasutra.com said on
Friday that it has created a database of project-based job opportunities
to assist game producers looking for contractors, and to help game
development contractors find suitable work. The site lets companies post
information on work they have, and lets developers respond with proposals
online.
http://www.gamasutra.com/contractwork

(Austin, Texas) Infraworks, a developer of digital media security
software, announced the appointment of Joyce Durst as CEO of the company.
Durst replaces company founder George Friedman, who will continue with the
company as CTO. Previously, Durst was a vice president at BMC Software.
Austin-based Infraworks develops technology that can secure files sent in
email attachments so that only chosen recipients have select access to
them.
http://www.infraworks.com/press_releases/ceo_pr.pdf

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

> Universal Music Group, Senior Analyst - Los Angeles

eLabs, the strategy and R&D center for Universal Music Group, is looking
to fill a junior business development position. Ideal candidate will
have1-2 yrs exp. in I-banking, Management Consulting or strategy/bizdev
for top entertainment or media company. Must have solid analytical and
comm. skills, and a strong interest in music. Industry exp. or technology
background a plus. Send resumes to roy.kosuge@umusic.com
http://www.umusic.com
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> Circle.com, Media Analyst - New York City

Circle.com, a leading Internet solutions provider to Fortune 1000
companies, is currently seeking a Media Analyst to develop sophisticated
reports & recommendations for a top 10 advertiser, based on cost per
acquisition in media placements & creative ad units. Must have online
media planning & DART experience, as well as Excel, Access & AdKnowledge,
etc. Send resumes to nyjobs@circle.com
http://www.circle.com
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> Globix, Account Manager - New York City

Top-tier Internet solutions provider seeks Acct. Mgr. with 1-3 yrs.
outside sales exp. in a broadband, ISP or telco envioronment. Must be able
to maintain a high level of prospecting and have the service skills to
retain a business base. Team players only! Excellent time management &
communication skills. BS/ BA Degree prefered.
Send resumes to abc@globix.com
http://www.globix.com
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> WWZZ Radio, Internet Development Manager - Washington, D.C.

Produce & manage the daily tasks necessary to continue the outward growth
of Z104's web site. This will include daily, weekly & monthly updating of
the site, reporting statistics & coordination of sales projects w/ sales
people. Also responsible for updating databases. Minimum 2 yrs. Internet
design exp. DreamWeaver, PhotoShop, Fireworks & Flash a must. Send resumes
to ccruz@thez.com
http://www.thez.com

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

> E-mail Newsletter Tactics, June 14-15th - Reston, VA

Learn how to profit from e-mail newsletters! If you already produce one or
several e-mail newsletters, or are thinking about launching one, E-mail
Newsletter Tactics is a must-attend event. For an agenda, go to:
http://seminars.internet.com/email/va01/index.html Special offer for
DigitalMediaWire subscribers -- SAVE 15% off the full conference price.
For details and to sign up, call 203-662-2857
or email aalessio@internet.com
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> The SIBL Project Songwriting Contest, May 1 - August 8

The SIBL Project launches a national and international songwriting contest
on May 1st 2001. If you've written a song inspired by a book, poem or
play, submit it to The SIBL Project Songwriting Competition. Deadline for
entries is September 8, 2001. All proceeds benefit adult literacy
programs.
For more information: annie@mentlmusic.com
http://www.siblproject.org
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> SpyWorm's SEX* Awards, September 13 - Los Angeles

Webcasting production house SpyWorm is recruiting 30 filmmakers to each
create a 5-minute "reality-based" short on SEX*. Each candidate gets DV
gear, $100 lunch money and 3 days of post-production services. 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 at the Wyndham Bel Age Hotel. 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. To submit an artistic work, inquire
about sponsorship or register for the event, please visit:
http://www.sensorycircus.com
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