archives

o RIAA Sues Aimster for Copyright Infringement
o TiVo Awarded Key Patent for Personal Video Recorder Technology
o Songwriters, Music Publishers Oppose Moratorium on Web Royalties
o BusinessWeek: AOL Time Warner Close To Acquiring Business 2.0
o Number of U.S. Broadband Users Doubled in Last Six Months
o Digital Rights Management Firm Infraworks Raises $9 Million
o NetRadio Demoted to Nasdaq SmallCap Market
o 'Net Music Provider Vitaminic Launches Publishing Company
o Briefly Noted: Sony Online Entertainment, CDNow - Hard Rock Cafe
International, Two Way TV - "Big Brother," Gracenote - Roxio, TVRip
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> Job Postings: Marketing Communications Specialist, Web Producer,
Webmaster/Developer, Business Development Manager,
Product Marketing Manager

> Events/Services: "Technical Recruiting & Retention Conference,"
"Email Newsletter Tactics," "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 RIAA Sues Aimster for Copyright Infringement

New York -- The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) filed
copyright infringement claims Thursday against Aimster, an online
file-sharing service that piggybacks on AOL's Instant Messenger program.
The Motion Picture Association of America is expected to soon file a
similar suit. Aimster has maintained that its service is not subject to
the same copyright claims as Napster, because the files traded on Aimster
are encrypted, and users share only with other users they have designated
to be on the instant messaging program's "buddy lists." New York-based
Aimster recently filed a lawsuit against the RIAA asking for a court to
declare that its service is legal for these reasons. Aimster was also
dealt a blow this week when an arbitration panel ruled that it must turn
over its domain name -- Aimster.com -- to AOL because it violates the
company's trademark for its Instant Messenger program. Aimster CEO Johnny
Deep said that he plans to appeal the panel's ruling in a Virginia court.
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-6033575.html?tag=mn_hd
http://news.webnoize.com/item.rs?ID=13176
http://www.aimster.com
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o TiVo Awarded Key Patent for Personal Video Recorder Technology

San Jose, Calif. -- TiVo, a manufacturer of devices that allow viewers to
pause, record and skip through commercials on live TV, announced on
Thursday that it has been awarded a patent that covers the key components
of its technology. The patent for a "multimedia timewarping system"
includes the ability to record one program while watching another, its
particular method of synchronizing video, audio and closed-captioning
multimedia streams, and the storage format it created that gives users the
ability to pause and navigate live TV. San Jose-based TiVo also announced
that its subscriber base has grown to over 200,000 for its $9.95 monthly
or $249 lifetime service.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010524/sfth035_2.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010524/sfth003.html
http://www.tivo.com
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o Songwriters, Music Publishers Oppose Moratorium on Web Royalties

New York -- The National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) and the
Songwriters Guild of America (SGA) on Thursday asked the U.S. Copyright
Office to reject the major record labels request for a moratorium on
royalty payments for online music. The organizations instead argued that
the Copyright Office should convene a Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel
("CARP") to set rates paid for music delivered on the Internet. "The
record companies and their allies are seeking to minimize their obligation
to pay -- or to pay nothing at all -- for the right to reproduce and
distribute copyrighted musical works over the Internet," said NMPA CEO
Edward P. Murphy. "Our comments urge the Copyright Office to reject this
unfair proposal and to follow current law to resolve this commercial
dispute through either voluntary negotiations or arbitration." The NMPA
and SGA argue in their filing that the Copyright Office does not have the
authority to alter the existing statutory licensing system nor suspend
royalty payments -- two requests made by major record labels through the
Recording Industry Association of America.
http://www.nmpa.org/pr/carp.html
http://www.loc.gov/copyright/carp/
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o BusinessWeek: AOL Time Warner Close To Acquiring Business 2.0

Dulles, Va. -- BusinessWeek Online reported on Wednesday that AOL Time
Warner is close to acquiring Business 2.0 magazine -- one of the many "new
economy" magazines founded in recent years. The article said that if the
deal happens, Business 2.0 would likely be merged with eCompanyNow, a
spin-off of Fortune Magazine. "The acquisition could be inked as early as
next week," the article said. Imagine Media, the owner of Business 2.0, is
reportedly asking $50 million for the publication; however, BusinessWeek
Online said that AOL Time Warner will likely pay much less. "The Net
marketing frenzy that plumped up New Economy publications, such as
Business 2.0, The Industry Standard, Red Herring, and Upside into meaty
tomes, has fizzled in the past year," the article said. "Now, much like
the market they cover, it's time for a shake out."
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/may2001/nf20010523_689.htm
http://www.business2.com
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o Number of U.S. Broadband Users Doubled in Last Six Months

Westfield, N.J. -- According to a recent study by New Jersey-based
Statistical Research, the number of American households with high-speed
Internet access has doubled in the last six months. The figure includes
subscribers to DSL, cable modem and DirectPC satellite services.
Approximately 9.4 million U.S. homes now have broadband, as opposed to 5.2
million last November. The study also found that most of these users'
household incomes totaled more than $50,000. Inside.com reported that the
study reinforces the findings of other related studies, including one by
Nielsen/Net Ratings.
http://www.inside.com/jcs/Story?article_id=31480&pod_id=13
http://www.statisticalresearch.com/press/pr052201.htm
http://209.249.142.22/press_releases/PDF/pr_010515.pdf
http://www.streamingmedia.com/article.asp?id=7430
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o Digital Rights Management Firm Infraworks Raises $9 Million

Austin, Texas -- Infraworks, a provider of digital rights management
services, announced that it has raised $9 million in its first round of
venture capital financing. Moore Capital Management led the investment
round; a number of undisclosed individual investors also participated. The
company will use the funds for marketing and sales efforts. Austin-based
Infraworks' software protects multimedia and other files sent as email
attachments from being pirated, and can set them to no longer be
accessible after a predetermined amount of time. The company also says its
technology can cause a file to "self-destruct" if it is compromised by
hackers.
http://www.infraworks.com
http://www.infraworks.com/products/intether.html
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o NetRadio Demoted to Nasdaq SmallCap Market

Minneapolis -- Online streaming radio station provider NetRadio announced
on Thursday that its stock will now trade on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market.
Recently, the company was given a delisting notice from the Nasdaq and
requested a hearing. At that hearing, the company requested to be moved to
the SmallCap, but the Nasdaq said that it could only avoid delisting by
achieving and maintaining a closing bid price of $1 or higher for ten
consecutive days by June 14. Minneapolis-based NetRadio said it is
considering a reverse stock split to comply with the Nasdaq's
requirements.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010524/2107.html
http://www.netradio.com
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o 'Net Music Provider Vitaminic Launches Publishing Company

Milan, Italy -- Vitaminic, an online distributor of digital music,
announced the formation of a music publishing subsidiary, called ZipMind
Srl. The company will offer music publishing services to authors,
publishers, labels, studios, TV networks and advertisers. Vitaminic COO
Andrea Rosi will serve as chief executive for the new company, and former
MCA Music Italy general manager Corrado Bonfanti will become general
manager for ZipMind. Vitaminic offers music from many unsigned and small
label European acts, and operates ten websites that feature music from and
cater to audiences in Italy, the U.K., Germany, France, Spain, the
Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland and the U.S.
http://www.vitaminic.com/press/zipmind.pdf
http://www.vitaminic.com
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o Briefly Noted:

(San Diego) Sony Online Entertainment said on Thursday that it is
implementing several new payment methods to allow more international users
to play its massively multiplayer games. The company is making it easier
for foreigners and minors without U.S. credit cards to pay to play its
games online by selling "Game Cards" in retail stores throughout Europe,
Japan, Korea, Australia and North America. The company said it will now
also accept Japanese Credit Bureau credit cards in its efforts to add to
its paying subscriber base. Currently, 385,000 users pay $9.89 per month
to play Sony's most popular online game, EverQuest.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/211440167&ticker=
http://www.station.sony.com

(Fort Washington, Pa.) Online retailer CDNow announced on Thursday that it
has partnered with Hard Rock Cafe International to produce six concert
webcasts, mainly from live performances at the Hard Rock Cafe at Universal
CityWalk in Orlando, Florida. The companies will create a co-branded site
within CDNow.com -- expected to launch this summer -- to house the
webcasts. Hard Rock Cafe patrons will also see the concerts on TV in the
company's various restaurants.
http://cdnow.com/hr
http://www.hardrock.com

(London) Interactive TV content developer Two Way TV said it has partnered
with Endemol Entertainment UK, producer of the "Big Brother" program for
Channel 4 in the U.K., to let users vote tenants out of the house using
their TV's remote control. Big Brother evicts tenants living together in a
house based on which tenant receives the greatest number of votes from
audience members. The paid feature will be available to NTL and Digiwest
digital cable subscribers in England.
http://www.twowaytv.com

(San Francisco) CNET featured an analysis on Thursday of the current
lawsuit between Easy CD Creator software maker Roxio and music information
database provider Gracenote. The article explores the process of creating
the CDDB database, which was until recently an open-source project that
asked users to help input information on the CDs they listened to on their
computers. Gracenote has since "closed" the project, angering many of the
users who helped create the database and begging the question of whether
or not one can copyright a database.
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-201-6008182-0.html?tag=tp_pr
http://www.gracenote.com
http://www.roxio.com

(San Francisco) CNET also reported on Thursday on TVRip, the practice of
pirating satellite signals of TV shows from networks as they send new
episodes to their affiliates, days before they are broadcast to viewers.
Some programs, such as the season finales of "Frasier" and "The Simpsons,"
were reportedly available on file-sharing services before they were aired.
There aren't many TVRippers however, due to the fact that they must use
the older and much larger commercial satellite dishes. The National
Association of Broadcasters was quoted in the article as saying, "We are
aware of this, and are monitoring it."
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-6030033.html?tag=mn_hd

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

> Antenna Software, Marketing Communications Specialist - New York City

In this position, the candidate will assist in developing & implementing
product marketing materials, in addition to providing marketing
communications support for partnership opportunities & client events.
Manage trade shows, newsletters & press materials. Help develop & maintain
website. 2+ years in marketing of technology solutions to businesses. Send
resume to: careers@antennasoftware.com
http://www.antennasoftware.com 
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> Screen Actors Guild, Web Producer - Los Angeles

Must have strong visual design skills and be able to work both
independently and as part of a team. Responsibilities will include but not
be limited to Web page creation (HTML), Graphic design / web graphics,
Information design / web architecture, Animation / Flash design, CGI
programming / Java script & Database front-end design. 3-5 years in web
design & scripting OR pertinent degree. Send resume and cover letter to:
jobs@sag.org
http://www.sag.org
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> City of Culver City, Webmaster/Developer - Los Angeles

Exciting opportunity for individual with good front end/graphics web
design skills. The City of Culver City is currently building a new web
site and intranet. Requires 2 years of demonstrable experience. This is a
temporary position, starting immediately and ending October 2001.
Send resume to: it.department@culvercity.org
http://www.culvercity.org
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> Rare Medium, Inc., Business Development Manager - San Francisco

Develop customer solution strategies and convert them to sales with the
participation of in-house subject matter experts. Ideal candidate will
possesses strong prospecting, persuasive presentation & closing skills
with at least 5 yrs. exp. in professional services industry. Working
knowledge of medium & large-scale web development imperative.
Send resumes to: john.ledterman@raremedium.com
http://www.raremedium.com
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> Wayport, Inc., Product Marketing Manager - Austin, TX

A minimum of 5+ years exp. in product management. Responsibilities include
working w/ external customers & internal engineering in product
definition, developing product features & functionality, as well as
developing product life cycle plans, pricing & product positioning. Must
have a strong financial background, negotiation skills and track record
working with wireless apps.
Send resumes to: debbie.primera@wayport.net
http://www.wayport.net

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

> Technical Recruiting & Retention Conference, June 3-6 - Palm Desert, CA

You're not the only one who has to recruit through history's most
pronounced labor shortage. You're not the only one who has to finagle new
solutions under big time pressure. So why go it alone? Tap into the
expertise that Computerworld & ITcareers are bringing together at our
annual Conference. Meet hundreds of technical recruiters facing the same
challenges as you.
For more information: Diane_Bailey@computerworld.com
http://www.itcareersrecruiting.com/conf/ctrrc
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> 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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> 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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