archives

o Copyright Office Rejects Proposed Royalty Rates for Webcasters
o International Music Copyright Treaty Goes Into Effect
o Vivendi Universal Using CenterSpan Technology for Entertainment Service
o Nintendo Lowers GameCube Price in Japan
o Report: Hard Drive-Based Digital Devices Gaining In Popularity
o Judge Sets Trial Date in Digital Copyright Case Against Elcomsoft
o Multimedia Messaging Firm Comverse Acquires Odigo for $20 Million
o Video Game Firm Activision Takes Stake in Infinity Ward Game Studio
o Wireless Games Firm Digital Bridges Gets Investment from Openwave
> 10 Reasons To Attend DMW's 2nd Annual "Digital Asia" Panel
> Featured Event/Company: Jupiter Plug.IN
o Briefly Noted: Xbox Live - game titles, Palm Digital Media, Rockstar
Games - "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City"
_____________________________________________

> Jobs: Dir. of Product Management, Sr. Acct. Executive, Dir. of Public
Relations, Global Communications Mgr., Marketing Mgr., VP of Client
Services, Inside Sales Acct. Exec., VP Production & Programming, Sr.
Graphic Designer, Sales Director

> Events: AIM's Dinner Series

> Marketplace: Somedude's Website Design, Free Wine Tastings,
Bender/Helper Impact, Digital PCS Phone System, Digital Copying Machine

Full text of ads located beneath "Briefly Noted" section below.
To post a Classified Ad, contact David Peebler at
david@digitalmediawire.com
_____________________________________________

o Copyright Office Rejects Proposed Royalty Rates for Webcasters

Washington -- The U.S. Copyright Office on Tuesday rejected royalty rates
for streaming music online that were proposed by a Copyright Arbitration
Royalty Panel (CARP), which began the process of determining a fair rate
in early 2000. The proposed rates were decried by both the recording
industry, which had hoped for higher rates, and by webcasters, many of
whom claimed the rates were so high that they would be forced off the air.
Webcasters even staged a "day of silence" on May 1, when many ceased
streaming music in protest of the CARP-proposed rates. The Copyright
Office gave no reason for its rejection of the CARP rates. An announcement
from the Copyright Office stated that Marybeth Peters, the U.S. Register
of Copyrights, recommended that the CARP rates be rejected, and the U.S.
Librarian of Congress, James H. Billington, agreed. "The Register of
Copyrights recommends, and the Librarian agrees, that the CARP's
determination must be rejected. A final decision will be issued no later
than June 20, 2002," read the Order issued by the Copyright Office. "The
law provides that the Librarian shall issue his final determination within
30 days of his decision to reject the Panel's proposed rates and terms."
http://www.copyright.gov/carp/webcasting-rates-order.html
http://www.copyright.gov/carp/webcasting_rates-new.html
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-919468.html?tag=cd_mh
_____________________________________________

o International Music Copyright Treaty Goes Into Effect

Geneva -- The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a section
of the United Nations devoted to international intellectual property,
announced that its WIPO Phonograms and Performances Treaty (WPPT) -- which
updates international copyright treaties to include performances of music
on the Internet -- went into force on Monday, May 20. Another
international copyright treaty, the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT), went into
force on May 6. The WPPT and WCT will both serve to enforce tenets similar
to the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act in and among the countries
that have ratified each treaty, which number 34 and 35, respectively. The
largest countries to ratify the WPPT include the U.S., Japan, Mexico,
Argentina, Ukraine and the Czech Republic. Recording Industry of America
chairman and CEO Hilary Rosen responded to the WIPO's announcement in a
statement. "In celebration of an important international movement to
protect intellectual property, I salute the members of Congress and those
from the international community who worked tirelessly to support the WCT,
the WPPT and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act," said Rosen.
http://www.wipo.org/pressroom/en/releases/2002/p313.htm
http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/releases/2002/p302.htm
http://www.riaa.org/PR_story.cfm?id=516
_____________________________________________

o Vivendi Universal Using CenterSpan Technology for Entertainment Service

Hillsboro, Ore. -- Vivendi Universal Net USA, the U.S. Internet arm of
French media conglomerate Vivendi Universal, announced on Tuesday that it
will use technology developed by Oregon-based CenterSpan Communications to
launch a new online entertainment service. Los Angeles-based VUNet USA
will use CenterSpan's C-StarOne content delivery network services, a
secure peer-to-peer exchange, to deliver as yet undefined entertainment
content online. The new service is expected to launch later this year on
one of VUNet USA's online properties, which include MP3.com,
RollingStone.com, GetMusic.com, MP4.com, EMusic.com, the Flipside Network
(games), Moviso (wireless) and Education.com. CenterSpan, whose
peer-to-peer technology is based on assets acquired from the defunct
file-sharing site Scour, also recently announced that Sony Music will
distribute songs using its content delivery network.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020521/sftu077_1.html
http://www.centerspan.com
http://www.scour.com
_____________________________________________

o Nintendo Lowers GameCube Price in Japan

Tokyo -- Nintendo announced on Tuesday that it will lower the price of its
GameCube video game console in Japan to about $159 from $200, Reuters
reported. The price reduction follows the company's announcement yesterday
that it would cut the U.S. price for the console to $149, a move that
re-established its status as the cheapest console after Sony and Microsoft
slashed prices for their consoles to $199 last week. Nintendo said the
price reduction was enabled by the company's moving of its manufacturing
operations to China.
http://news.com.com/2100-1040-918894.html?tag=cd_mh
_____________________________________________

o Report: Hard Drive-Based Digital Devices Gaining In Popularity

Scottsdale, Az. -- Hard disk drive manufacturers are seeing a boon in the
consumer electronics market as hard drive-based entertainment devices such
as MP3 players, video game consoles and personal video recorders are
gaining in popularity. According to a report released on Tuesday by
Arizona-based market research firm In-Stat/MDR, worldwide unit shipments
of personal video recorders such as TiVo are forecasted to increase from
1.2 million in 2001 to over 6 million in 2003, with revenues increasing
from $550 million to over $2.3 billion. Portable digital music players
that integrate hard disk drives -- like Apple's iPod and Sonicblue's Rio
Riot -- will also see gains, with worldwide unit shipments forecasted to
increase from 230,000 in 2001 to over 950,000 in 2003. "While the PC
industry remains the most important market for hard disk drives, the
consumer electronics market is developing into an excellent secondary
market segment," said In-Stat/MDR senior analyst Mike Paxton.
http://www.instat.com/press.asp?ID=220&sku=IN020009MI
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o Judge Sets Trial Date in Digital Copyright Case Against Elcomsoft

San Jose, Calif. -- U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Whyte has set a date
of August 26 to begin hearing arguments in a trial that pits the U.S.
government against a Russian software firm accused of criminal violation
of the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). The trial comes after
Judge Whyte's denial of several motions to dismiss the case, filed by
Elcomsoft and its legal representation, the Electronic Frontier Foundation
(EFF). Elcomsoft and the EFF argued that the DMCA should be declared
unconstitutional because of its "vagueness," and also that the company's
software, which can circumvent the copyright protection on Adobe's eBook
Reader, should be protected speech under the First Amendment.
http://www.eff.org/IP/DMCA/US_v_Elcomsoft/
http://www.elcomsoft.com
_____________________________________________

o Multimedia Messaging Firm Comverse Acquires Odigo for $20 Million

Woodbury, N.Y. -- Comverse, a provider of multimedia wireless services and
a unit of Comverse Technology, announced that it will acquire Odigo, a
provider of instant messaging technology, for $20 million in cash.
Massachusetts-based Comverse had already invested $3 million in New
York-based Odigo, and held a 12.4 percent equity stake in the company.
"The combination of Comverse and Odigo offerings enhances Comverse's
ability to address the emerging market demands for open instant messaging
and communications applications," said Comverse CEO Zeev Bregman. Part of
Comverse's offering addresses emerging 2.5G and 3G high-speed wireless
networks in the U.S., and their ability to offer features such as
Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), which enables messages containing
audio and video to be sent instantly over wireless networks.
http://www.comverse.com/press/2002/020520.htm
http://www.odigo.com
_____________________________________________

o Video Game Firm Activision Takes Stake in Infinity Ward Game Studio

Santa Monica, Calif. -- Activision, a developer and publisher of video
games, announced on Tuesday that it has taken a 30 percent equity stake in
Infinity Ward, a newly formed game development studio, with an option to
acquire the remaining 70 percent of the company. The Infinity Ward staff
includes members of the team that created the best-selling PC title "Medal
of Honor Allied Assault," published by Electronic Arts. "We always want to
collaborate with top development talent and deliver outstanding
first-person action games to the marketplace," said Larry Goldberg,
executive vice president of Activision Worldwide Studios.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020521/latu053_1.html
http://mohaa.ea.com/
http://www.infinityward.com
_____________________________________________

o Wireless Games Firm Digital Bridges Gets Investment from Openwave

Los Angeles -- Wireless game developer Digital Bridges said on Tuesday
that it has received an undisclosed investment from communication
infrastructure software provider Openwave Systems, which will take a
minority stake in the company. The partnership gives London-based Digital
Bridges access to Openwave's client device browsers and network
infrastructure products, to create new forms of wireless entertainment.
Redwood City, Calif.-based Openwave's mobile browser software is embedded
in over 70 percent of all Internet-enabled cell phones.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020521/212309_1.html
http://www.digitalbridges.com
http://www.openwave.com
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10 Reasons Why You Should Attend Digital Media Wire's
2nd Annual "Digital Asia" Panel: "Wired & Mobile: How Far Ahead is Asia?"
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/LAasia2.html

Reason #10: E! is the largest producer of original entertainment-related
programming, creating over 900 hours per year from its Los Angeles
headquarters. E! programming is viewed in 400 million homes in 120
countries with dedicated channels in Asia, Europe and Latin America.
Panelist, Kevin MacLellan, SVP, International, is responsible for E!'s
international activities, including the company's rapidly expanding global
business, channel development, program sales and distribution, business
operations, and administration and will discuss E! Networks' plans for
Asia. For more information, contact Ned Sherman at
ned@digitalmediawire.com.

Date: Wednesday, June 5, 2002
Sponsored by: Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue and Bender/Helper Impact
To register: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/LAasia2.html

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=================
FEATURED SECTION
=================

30 Reasons to Attend Jupiter Plug.IN -- July 8-9 - NYC

Reason #24: Your 12-year-old niece has 427 MP3s, but only 12 CDs.
The generation of passionate music consumers will soon be the next
generation of music purchasers. Their currency today is time and patience,
so they put up with the unreliability and clumsiness of file sharing
services. How will subscription services need to evolve to meet their
needs when their time becomes scarce, but their wallets fat?
**To register or for more info: http://www.jmm.com/plugin
**For all 30 reasons and $200 off, email PluginReasons@jmm.com

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o Briefly Noted:

(Los Angeles) Microsoft late Monday announced further details of its $2
billion investment in Xbox Live, the online gaming network for its Xbox
video game console. Launching in North America, Japan and Europe this
fall, the service will initially feature five Xbox Live-exclusive titles.
Additionally, the company said 60 game companies have committed to create
games for Xbox Live, and at least 50 Xbox Live-enabled games are planned
to release by the end of next year. Xbox Live titles will include "Unreal
Championship," "Counterstrike," "Halo" and "Star Wars Galaxies."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020520/sfm147_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020520/sfm149_1.html
http://www.xbox.com

(Santa Clara, Calif.) Palm Digital Media, the e-book unit of handheld
device maker Palm, announced on Tuesday that it will license its
technology for creating e-books in the Palm Reader format to independent
publishers. The consumer version of the software, intended to create
e-books for personal use and not for sale, will cost $39.95. A version for
small publishers intending to sell their finished products unencrypted is
being offered for $129.95; Palm also said a version that creates encrypted
e-books, intended for sale on commercial websites, will become available
in June.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020521/sftu046_1.html
http://www.palmdigitalmedia.com

(Los Angeles) Rockstar Games, the publishing subsidiary of New York-based
Take-Two Interactive Software game development firm responsible for the
top-selling "Grand Theft Auto" line, announced on Tuesday that it will
release a sequel entitled "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" in the U.S. on
October 22. The Grand Theft Auto sequel and all subsequent titles will be
published exclusively for Sony PlayStation 2.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020521/212176_1.html
http://www.take2games.com
http://www.rockstargames.com
______________________

===================
CLASSIFIEDS - JOBS
===================

Director Product Management - Sony Music Entertainment - New York, NY

Responsible For Development and Implementation of Marketing Campaigns for
Selected Artists; Management of All Marketing Expenditures; Supervision of
Package Development and Management of the Production Process; Scheduling &
Follow Through of Various Project Components; and Long-Term Artist
Development & Marketing Strategies; Development of Artist And Product
Promotion Strategies and Campaigns; 3-5 Years Hands-On Record Business
Experience, incl. Pop Marketing, Sales & Promotion. Submit cover letter,
resume and salary requirement to: elena_avila@sonymusic.com
_____________________________________________

Senior Account Executive - D'Arcy Advertising - Los Angeles, CA

D'Arcy Los Angeles has created a group that specializes in acquiring and
retaining customers through sophisticated direct and online marketing
techniques. We now need a Senior Account Executive to take day-to-day
responsibility for client and program management. You need to be
intimately familiar with direct and online marketing processes from
concept to delivery. You should also have 2-5 years experience, a healthy
obsession for results, and the ability to guide clients with a firm but
diplomatic hand. E-mail your resume to carol.cave@darcyww.com
_____________________________________________

Director of Public Relations - Walt Disney Consumer Products - Los
Angeles, CA

Reports directly to the VP Marketing. Responsible for managing development
of communications strategy to improve and enhance the company's image;
all communications materials; working with ad agencies; serving as
company's spokesperson and media contact; and developing presentations for
executive management. 8+ years of relevant experience required. Email
cp.careers@Disney.com with your resume and Job Code# 02-0001616-02 in the
body of the email. No attachments.
_____________________________________________

Manager, Global Communications & Synergy - Walt Disney Consumer Products -
Los Angeles, CA

Responsible for global business communications - a central point of
contact for regional/country offices; importer of regional/country
information & creative assets; facilitate product development on new film
& Pixar properties; oversee content for intranet & B2B extranet; maintain
marketing calendar; and supervise Asset Management department. 8 yrs.
experience in launching leading consumer brands. Email
cp.careers@Disney.com with your resume and Job Code# 02-0002003-02 in the
body of the email. No attachments.
_____________________________________________

Marketing Manager- West LA Music - Los Angeles, CA

Manage in-house marketing department for nationally known music retailer.
Includes implementing marketing plan to target markets with promotions,
direct mail, catalogs, print ads and events. Requires a BS in Business,
Communications, Music or related field and knowledge of music, audio and
recording products. Benefits include 401K, medical insurance, vacations,
employee purchase plan and more. $3,000 to $6,000 per month. Code: 51702E.
Send resume to: Jobs2@westlamusic.com.
_____________________________________________

Vice President of Client Services - Luxury Link, LLC - Los Angeles, CA

Luxury Link, the world's leading luxury travel Web site
(www.luxurylink.com), is seeking a Vice President of Client Services to
work in its offices near LAX. The position is responsible for managing
Client Services staff to meet departmental goals (no travel required).
Must have experience in account management, understanding of sales and
analytics, ability to meet deadlines and targets, and excellent "people
skills." Contact Phyllis Elliott at pelliott@commontech.com.
_____________________________________________

Account Executive, Inside Sales - ivacation.com - Los Angeles, CA

International Vacation Homes has been revolutionizing the vacation and
travel industry, by providing marketing solutions for vacation property
owners around the world. Working as an "Internet-Vacation Property
Consultant," you will be contacting qualified clients to provide proven
solutions for successfully marketing their property. International
Vacation Home's corporate headquarters is located near LAX with a second
location in North Hollywood. Email your resume and preferred location to
jobs@ivacation.com.
_____________________________________________

VP Production and Programming -- IFILM Network - Los Angeles, CA

Reporting to the EVP, Sales & Marketing, this person is an integral part
of building IFILM Network into the premiere provider of broadband
entertainment. Individual must be on the cutting edge of emerging
technologies and content delivery platforms -- producing original
programming that appeals to both consumers and marketers. A keen
content-programming sensibility - knowing what content will be popular,
while still being consistent with the IFILM brand (irreverent, humorous,
fun). Film and/or TV Production budget experience. Please send resume and
cover letter to programming@ifilm.com
_____________________________________________

Senior Graphic Designer - O'Melveny & Myers LLP - Los Angeles, CA

O'Melveny & Myers LLP, an international law firm located in downtown Los
Angeles, has an immediate opening for a Senior Graphic Designer. Qualified
candidate is responsible for maintaining firm's existing brand and
supporting and enhancing firm's brand equity. Handle concept, design and
pre-press for all marketing materials. Excellent salary and benefits
package. Resume to: O'Melveny & Myers LLP, 400 S. Hope Street, Suite 248,
Los Angeles, CA 90071. FAX: (213) 430-7857. Email resume to: HR@omm.com.
Visit us at: http://www.omm.com
_____________________________________________

Sales Director, Walt Disney Consumer Products, Los Angeles, CA

Support VP to attain fiscal year revenue and profitability goals. Develop
account and channel differentiated distribution plans, seasonal business
plans and budget. Grow softlines (apparel and accessories) revenue and
profitability. A minimum of 10 years specific apparel/accessories/footwear
brand management experience. Please email cp.careers@Disney.com, including
your resume, contact details, and Job Code 02-0001680-02 in the body of
your email. Do not send your resume as an attachment.
_____________________________________________

===================
CLASSIFIEDS - EVENTS
===================

AIM's Dinner & A Deal Spring Series - LA, May 21 and SF, May 22

Pre-dinner discussion panel: "Permission Marketing: Has It Lost Its Edge?"
Come meet with colleagues from the interactive community for tasty dinner,
intense discussions, and even better networking opportunities! Los
Angeles, Tues., May 21, 5:00pm. Speakers: Alexis Bonnell, CEO,
Wordsuccess; Josh Rose, SVP, iDeutsch; David Karnstedt, SVP, Overture. San
Francisco, Wed., May 22, 5:00pm. Speakers: Mark Evans, CEO, MarketItRight;
Lyn Chitow Oakes, CEO, Respond.com; Jon Brodeur, EVP Media & Acquisition
Services, @Once; Chris Bolte, VP, Overture. Upcoming: Boston on 6/5, New
York on 6/12. For more info and to register: www.interactivemarketing.org
(or call 212-790-1408).
_____________________________________________

==========================
CLASSIFIEDS - MARKETPLACE
==========================

Need a New Look? - Get A Website Facelift - Touch Your Customers In New
Ways!

Somedude's Website Design specializes in high impact and cost-effective
ways to bring your website up-to-date, whether its creating a new look and
feel; adding a simple, easy-to-use content management system or creating
applications that give your customers real value online. With a fraction
of the overhead that large web development companies have, we offer
customized solutions designed to meet your specific needs (and budget). We
work with a wide variety of companies, including Digital Media Wire, which
have directly benefited from our work. For more information, contact
mark@somedude.com
_____________________________________________

Free Beaulieu Vineyard Wine Tasting & Educational Seminars - LA & Orange
County

BV offers groups of 35 or more an easy and enjoyable way to enhance your
meeting and entertain your group. The seminar is available at No Cost to
your organization or anyone who attends. It provides a unique opportunity
to learn about the history, heritage and character of a true American
classic. For more information, please contact Suzanne Bultmeyer, BV Event
Coordinator, at sebult@onebox.com
_____________________________________________

Bender/Helper Impact - Public Relations Agency

Bender/Helper Impact is a full-service, mid-sized public relations agency
with offices in Los Angeles and New York. The agency, which was founded in
1986, offers strong expertise in the areas of digital entertainment and
convergence, new media, electronic gaming, technology and consumer
electronics. Current clients include: Dolby, 20th Century Fox, Konami,
DreamWorks, Marvel Enterprises, MGM and Warner Bros., among many others.
To find out how Bender/Helper can impact your business, contact Steve
Honig at: 310-473-4147 or steve_honig@bhimpact.com
_____________________________________________

Samsung DCS Digital Phone System - Complete - $4500

No office telephone system offers more for less. This system was
originally purchased new for $16,358.00 at the beginning of 2000. The
system comes complete with everything required to get your office
communications up and running immediately. The DCS is a modular,
future-proof telephone system, which gives unrivalled flexibility and
functionality and can be configured as a PABX, key system or any
combination of these, according to your specific requirements. For further
details contact djpeebs@aol.com.
_____________________________________________

Sharp AR-5132 Digital Copier - Excellent! - $899

Used for a year, this copier is in great shape and priced to sell.
Everything work fine - all internal mechanisms, paper feeders, trays, and
optional 20-bin sorter - and it produces clean, professional copies.
Instructions Manuals included. This workhorse was originally purchased for
$4800 and is offered for far less than you are likely to find it anywhere
else, especially when compared to used models selling for over $2200 on
the web. 110k/600k copies. Must pick-up or arrange delivery (LA). For
further details contact djpeebs@aol.com.
______________________

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Copyright 2002 Digital Media Wire