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June 7, 2004 -- About Us | Advertise | Events | Publications | Subscribe

Main Stories
o State Forces Closure of Game Developer Interplay's Offices
o Reuters: Apple to Launch iTunes Store in Europe Next Week
o U.K. Telco BT to Launch Unprecedented Anti-Child-Porn Campaign
o Apple Releases Wireless Music Streaming Device for iTunes
o BMG Canada to Use SunnComm Copy-Protection on Commercial CDs
o Electronic Arts, Rhino Records Partner on Video Game Soundtracks

 > DMW Announcements:
 --Digital Media Conference -  June 18, 2004: Last week to Pre-register

 > Featured Advertisement:
  --Digital Media Law Report - Volume 3
 

o Briefly Noted: Universal Studios - id Software's "Doom," RealNetworks - LUX Media 501, Cox - SeaChange - HD ad insertion, Macrovision - DOCdata - Roadshow Films, Fandango - "Harry Potter," OpenTV - StarHub, Creative - Zen Touch, Sonos Digital Music System, AG Interactive - Russell Simmons, Atlas Mobile, Virgin Mobile USA - Universal Music Group, m-Qube - g8wave, Yahoo - "Lemonade Tycoon 2 New York Edition," Atari - "DRIV3R," Nintendo - "The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures," 2nd International Piano-e-Competition

 
> Job/Event/Marketplace Classifieds:
--Web Project Manager
--Senior Financial Analyst
--Inside Sales Reps Needed
--Sr. Product Manager
--Federal Business Development
--IT Recruiter 
--PricewaterhouseCoopers' Entertainment and Media Outlook
--Position Your Company for Success - with Technology PR Experts
--Innovative Technologies to Link Project
--Interoperability: Solutions and Best Practices, June 24 - Orlando, FL
--Preserving the Benefits of Open Source While Managing Risks - June 29   
 


o State Forces Closure of Game Developer Interplay's Offices

Irvine, Calif. -- The offices of video game developer Interplay were shut down on Friday, after a visit from the California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, which was investigating reports the company hadn't paid employees for a month and had no workers' compensation insurance, the Orange County Register reported. In addition to closing the company's offices, the state also fined Interplay $79,000, or $1,000 for every employee on payroll. The company also faces eviction from the facilities, where rent has not been paid since January. "The company has not shut down. (The state) can't do that," Interplay CEO Herve Caen told the OC Register. "It can only let me not let employees work… I hope to have that (insurance) back by Monday or Tuesday." Irvine, Calif.-based Interplay hired SG Capital in April to help explore strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of the company. The company's game titles include "Baldur's Gate" and "Alone in the Dark."
http://makeashorterlink.com/?T25A22088
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?section_name=pub&aid=3563
http://www.interplay.com 
_____________________________________________

o Reuters: Apple to Launch iTunes Store in Europe Next Week

London -- Apple Computer will launch its iTunes online music store in Europe next week, sources familiar with licensing negotiations between Apple and record labels told Reuters. The company said in a statement on Monday that it will host a press conference in London on June 15, adding, "the biggest story in music is about to get even bigger." Rival Napster recently launched its digital music service in the U.K., where a total of 500,000 downloads have been sold collectively by various retailers so far this year. Sony also plans to launch its new Connect song store in the U.K. this month. Apple sold over 70 million songs through the U.S. version of its iTunes Store, which launched a year ago.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?C3B811088     
____________________________________________

o U.K. Telco BT to Launch Unprecedented Anti-Child-Porn Campaign

London -- In an unprecedented move in the Western hemisphere, U.K.-based telecommunications giant BT Group recently announced that it would begin to block all child pornography websites on the Internet. The program, called Cleanfeed, was developed in conjunction with the U.K. Home Office and is expected to be operational by month's end, BT said. According to a report appearing The Observer, BT chairman Christopher Bland, after facing enormous pressure from both the British government and a number of U.K.-based children charity groups, made the decision to implement what many industry experts are deeming the largest censorship scheme of its kind. A number of other U.K.-based Internet service providers (ISPs), such as Energis and Thus, are also planning to implement similar operations later this month, The Observer reported.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?F15621F78 
http://www.bt.com/index.jsp   
____________________________________________

o Apple Releases Wireless Music Streaming Device for iTunes

Cupertino, Calif. -- Apple Computer on Monday introduced the AirPort Express, a wireless base station that features audio outputs enabling the device to stream music from a Mac or PC to any stereo in the home. The $129 mobile 802.11g wireless router has a range of 150 feet, and uses new software from Apple called AirTunes to automatically recognize speakers connected to the AirPort Express and allow users to create a wireless music network through iTunes. The product, which also performs such wireless router tasks as printer and broadband account sharing, will begin shipping in July.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040607/sfm109_1.html 
____________________________________________

o BMG Canada to Use SunnComm Copy-Protection on Commercial CDs

Phoenix, Ariz. -- SunnComm Technologies, a provider of CD copy-protection systems, announced on Monday that BMG Canada will begin releasing commercial CD albums using SunnComm's MediaMax copy-protection. The technology prevents the CD's tracks from being uploaded to the Internet, while providing alternate digital versions that may be played on a computer, and transferred to portable devices, burned to CD or shared with friends in a limited manner. "We have been testing MediaMax for several months and are extremely pleased with SunnComm's focus on producing a technology that protects the rights of content owners while allowing the consumer to enjoy the flexibility of the digital space," said Norman Miller, vice president of new media at BMG Canada.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040607/75430_1.html 
http://www.sunncomm.com 
http://www.bmg.com 
____________________________________________

o Electronic Arts, Rhino Records Partner on Video Game Soundtracks

Redwood City, Calif. -- Video game developer Electronic Arts announced that it has partnered with record label Rhino Records to provide catalog music for its EA Sports titles, including "Madden NFL" and "NBA Live." The initiative, called "EA Sports Throwback Trax Powered by Rhino," will result in songs from artists including House of Pain, Faith No More, The Cure and The Jesus and Mary Chain being featured in EA video game titles. "There is a lot of music we have that we think is completely relevant to today, and a lot of kids that will be playing these games will hopefully get turned on to music from the past that does not sound like their father's music," David Dorn, senior VP of new media strategy for Rhino, told Billboard.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q4CB22088 
http://www.ea.com 
http://www.rhino.com 

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 > DMW Events:

Washington
Digital Media Conference

June 18
, 2004  |  Washington, DC

Register online or by Phone
www.digitalmediaconference.com
323-822-0936

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Caroline Little - CEO, Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive
Doug Lowenstein - President, Entertainment Software Association
Mitch Glazier - SVP, Gov. Relations & Legislative Counsel, RIAA
 

FEATURED SPEAKERS

William Allman - SVP & GM, Interactive New Media, Discovery Networks
Aileen Atkins - SVP, Business Affairs, Napster
Larry Blosser - Of Counsel, Gray Cary
Jody Brannon - Executive Producer, USAToday.com
Pat Breslin - CEO, Relatable
Jeff Briggs - Founder, President & CEO, Firaxis Games
Matt Bromberg - Vice President & GM, AOL Games
Jeffrey Bronikowski - Vice President, eLabs, Universal Music Group
Ron Chaimowitz - President & CEO, PlayTV Inc.
David Del Beccaro - President & CEO, Music Choice
Allison Dollar - Co-President, Interactive Television Alliance

Tim Dunne - VP, Digital Media, Nextel Communications, Inc.
Gerald Gordon - President & CEO, Fairfax County Economic Dev. Authority
Rags Gupta - COO, Live365
Chris Haines - Managing Editor, USNews.com, U.S. News & World Report
Stewart Halpern - Managing Dir., Digital Entertainment Research, RBC Capital
Bill Holland - Washington Bureau Chief, Billboard Magazine
Mark Jacobs - CEO, Mythic Entertainment
Marc Juris - President, Fuse (a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC)
Scott Kauffman - CEO, MusicNow
Kevin Lapidus - General Counsel, YellowBrix, Inc.
David Leibowitz - Managing Partner, CH Potomac

Lon Levin - SVP, Regulatory Affairs, XM Satellite Radio Holdings, Inc.
David Levine - CEO, Butterfly.net
David Lipsey - VP, Media & Entertainment, Artesia

Karen Litsinger - VP & Associate General Counsel, America Online, Inc.

Lydia Loizides - Analyst, Media & Ent., Ziff Brothers Investments
Adrian McAloon - Director of Marketing, Ztango
Chris McAndrews - SVP & General Manager, Nationalgeographic.com
Patrick McQuown - President, Proteus
Mark Myers - Vice President of Strategic Alliances, Convera
David Oxenford - Partner, Shaw Pittman
Jonathan Potter - Executive Director, Digital Media Association
Larry Rebich - VP of Program Acquisition & Market Dev., SIRIUS Satellite Radio
Wayne Rosso - CEO, Optisoft, SL (former President of Grokster)
Laurence Roth - VP, Mktg & Bus. Dev./Co-Founder, Cinea (Dolby Labs subsidiary)
Warren Schlichting - Vice President, New Business Strategy, Comcast
Dan Scherlis - CEO, Etherplay
Ned Sherman - CEO & Co-Founder, Digital Media Wire
Paul Sherman - President & Publisher, Tech Wire Media Group
Sherrese Smith - Assoc. Gen. Counsel, Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive
Yoav Tzruya - VP of Technologies & Markets Strategy, Exent Technologies
Stephen Warley - General Manager, TVSpy (a Vault service)

Debbie Weil - Publisher, WordBiz Report
Michael Weiss - CEO, StreamCast Networks (owner, Morpheus P2P software)
Gabe Zichermann - VP, Strategy & Communications, Trymedia
 

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
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 conferences, please contact Tinzar Than, VP, Marketing & Events, Digital Media Wire, Inc. at: tinzar@digitalmediawire.com.

 

Past Events | Sponsorship Materials | Partners & Clients
 

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> Featured Advertisement: 



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 - Order
 

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o Briefly Noted:

(Los Angeles) Warner Bros. has lost the rights to develop a movie based on game developer id Software's popular "Doom" game franchise, according to published reports. Warner reportedly made no progress on production in 15 months, enabling id to shop the franchise to other studios. Universal Studios is now reportedly backing the project, with Lorenzo di Bonaventura and John Wells as producers and music video director Enda McCallion as director. Austin-based id is slated to release its "Doom III" title later this summer.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?section_name=new&aid=3566
http://www.idsoftware.com 
http://www.doom3.com

(Seattle) RealNetworks, a provider of media delivery technologies, announced on Monday an agreement with LUX Media 501 that will see the company take over operations of RealNetworks' RealImpact business, which provides technology and consulting services to non-profits. Clients using the service including the AFL-CIO, Amnesty International, the ACLU and The Humane Society. Under the terms, the service will continue to run on RealNetworks technology, with the company retaining an option to acquire a minority equity interest in LUX Media 501.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040607/sfm021_1.html 
http://www.realimpact.net 
http://www.luxmedia501.com

(Atlanta) Cable TV operator Cox Communications announced on Monday that it was the first provider to begin inserting local advertisements into its high-definition (HDTV) programming feeds. The company is using Massachusetts-based SeaChange's digital ad insertion technology to deliver local ads to its ESPN HD viewers in Rhode Island. "Cox and SeaChange have again carried local cable advertising forward to derive maximum value from digital programming and give advertisers even more marketing power through cable," said Jeff Siegel, vice president of affiliate advertising sales, marketing and new business for ESPN.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040607/75582_1.html 
http://www.cox.com 
http://www.schange.com

(Santa Clara, Calif.) Macrovision, a provider of copy-protection for CDs, DVDs and other media, announced on Monday that U.K. CD replicator DOCdata has licensed its anti-piracy technologies to offer to DOCdata customers in the music and film industries, which annually produce over 200 million discs. Santa Clara, Calif.-based Macrovision also said on Monday that Roadshow Films has signed a multi-year agreement to use Macrovision technology to protect its DVD and VHS releases. The company holds the rights to distribute films from Village Roadshow, Warner Bros., New Line and other studios in Australia and New Zealand.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040607/75799_1.html 
http://www.macrovision.com 
http://www.docdata.co.uk 
http://www.villageroadshow.com.au

(Hollywood) Fandango, a provider of online advance movie ticket sales, said on Monday that the company sold an estimated 8% of the total tickets sold for the opening weekend of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban." Hollywood-based Fandango reports that it sold $7.6 million in advance tickets for the film online.
http://www.fandango.com

(San Francisco) OpenTV, a provider of interactive TV software and services, announced on Monday that StarHub Cable Vision is using OpenTV technology to launch its digital cable service in Singapore. StarHub's 380,000 analog customers will be encouraged to migrate to the new service, which will offer virtual channels, enhanced broadcasts, online shopping and games.
http://www.starhub.com.sg 
http://www.opentv.com

(Milpitas, Calif.) Consumer electronics firm Creative on Monday introduced its Zen Touch, a 20GB digital music player featuring a 1.8-inch hard drive and three times the battery life of a comparable Apple iPod, the company said. The $269 player, which features a new touch pad interface and includes support for subscription services through the latest version of Microsoft Windows Media Digital Rights Management, is slated to ship later this month.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?U27612088 
http://www.creative.com

(Carlsbad, Calif.) Digital audio developer Sonos on Monday introduced its Sonos Digital Music System, a wireless home digital music system. The system is comprised of a $499 ZonePlayer, a networked audio player capable of serving multiple music streams to different rooms, and $399 Controllers -- full-color LCD screens that can control the output of the ZonePlayer from any room. Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Sonos said the system will ship in the fall.
http://www.sonos.com

(Cleveland) Wireless entertainment publisher AG Interactive, a unit of American Greetings, said on Monday it has partnered with Def Jam label founder Russell Simmons to create a wireless urban content offering. The companies will jointly develop and distribute the Def Jam Mobile service, offering content including music, video and games.
http://corporate.americangreetings.com 
http://www.defjam.com

(San Diego) Atlas Mobile, a provider of mobile multiplayer skill game tournaments, announced on Monday that, since launching on Verizon Wireless' Get It Now service five months ago, it has logged over 4 million multiplayer games. The $2.99 per month service lets users compete against one another in games like "Tetris" for cash and prizes.
http://www.atlas-mobile.com

(Warren, N.J.) Wireless carrier Virgin Mobile USA said on Monday that it partnered with Universal Music Group to offer limited exclusive master recording ("Superphonic") ringtones from Detroit band D12 to its customers.
http://www.virginmobileusa.com

(Boston) M-Qube, a provider of wireless applications, said on Monday that it has partnered with g8wave, a U.K. provider of mobile entertainment services, to offer the company's premium mobile applications to U.S. and Canadian wireless customers. The first service to be ported will be g8wave's European mobile dating application, txt2flrt, an anonymous text chat application for adults.
http://www.m-qube.com 
http://www.g8wave.com 
http://www.txt2flrt.com

(Sunnyvale, Calif.) Yahoo said on Monday that it will offer an exclusive preview of video game publisher Hexacto's "Lemonade Tycoon 2 New York Edition" on Yahoo Games, for three months before the game's official release.
http://www.hexacto.com 
http://get.games.yahoo.com/proddesc?gamekey=lemonadetycoon2

(Los Angeles) Video game publisher Atari announced on Monday that its anticipated "DRIV3R" title for Xbox and PlayStation 2 has gone gold, and will be available in North America on June 21 and in Europe and Australia on June 22. Developed by U.K.-based Reflections Interactive, the game is the third installment in a franchise that has to date sold over 12 million units worldwide.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040607/75757_1.html
http://www.reflectionsinteractive.com 
http://www.driv3r.com

(Redmond, Wash.) Nintendo of America on Monday announced the release of its "The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures," the first multiplayer Zelda title for Nintendo GameCube. Nintendo's Zelda franchise has sold over 42 million units since its inception.
http://www.nintendo.com 

(Minneapoils) Organizers of the second International Piano-e-Competition announced on Monday that 18-year-old Chinese native Jie Chen won top prize at this year's competition in Minneapolis. The competition uses Yamaha's Disklavier piano to record and transmit qualifying round performances from four cities over the Internet to Minneapolis, where a panel of judges views the performances note-by-note on another Yamaha Disklavier piano and accompanying video screen.
http://www.piano-e-competition.com 
 
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> Classifieds:

> Web Project Manager

Redmon Group is seeking to fill a PM position that will be responsible for the hands-on project management of Redmon technology solutions such as: Web sites, transportation technology, multimedia, e-learning, and interactive museum projects. All applicants must have hands-on interactive project development skills and management experience. Clients include: Discovery Channel, Smithsonian, World Bank, Arlington County, DEA, and ATF. Send resumes to john@redmon.com  Visit http://www.redmon.com
_________________

> Senior Financial Analyst

Online Resources, a leading provider of online banking to financial institutions across the United States is looking for a Sr. Financial Analyst to track & analyze monthly revenues & expenses against budget; support management in the annual budget process; review/report corporate performance metrics to Sr. Mgmt; assist in the preparation of financial forecasts that will be used by Sr. Mgmt to make strategic business decisions. Send resumes to wnewman@orcc.com  Visit http://www.orcc.com
_________________

> Inside Sales Reps Needed

Put the coffee down! If you know what this means and you are an experienced inside sales rep, we should meet. We don't have the Glengarry Leads, but we do have Aptela, a service that is changing business communications, and has proven magnificently saleable. We offer a compensation package that certainly beats a set of steak knives. If you can close business over the phone, please submit your resume to sales@aptela.com No calls please. Heck, we may even buy you a cup of coffee.
_________________

> Sr. Product Manager

Responsibilities: Develop and drive the product vision, product plans and product management framework for the ARC DC product line. Lead the cross-functional product management team in the mgmt of product portfolio analysis, product development and release schedules and feature list mgmt. through all aspects of the product planning process. Require: Min. 7 yrs in the airline industry with exp. in: Product Mgmt or project mgmt in : Airline Marketing, Sales, Revenue Mgmt, Pricing, or Finance. Strong leadership and team building skills. Must have at least a BA/BS in business or technical field. Send resumes to jobs@arccorp.com
_________________

> Federal Business Development

Successful candidates must possess 5 plus years in major account sales of computer related systems or software of which 3 plus years selling information technology services to corporate and government clients. Salary to 90k plus 150 comp plan. MD, DC, VA. Strong Federal Government Exp Clearance Pref. Send resumes to mark@allandavidrecruiters.com
_________________

> IT Recruiter

Our client is a $1 Billion IT consulting firm with local offices in Tysons Corner, VA. Seeking an IT recruiter to help scout talent for open IT requirements. 2-3 yrs of IT recruiting experience is desired but not required. 1-5 years of some type of recruiting experience is required, can be from contract or perm, IT or Acctg/Fin, or any professional level placements. Must have agency experience, comp is half base half commissions. Send resumes to brock_boyd@cmicareers.com
_________________

> 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
_________________
 
> Position Your Company for Success - with Technology PR Experts

How well are you positioned vs. your competition? Ask Parker Communications. We deliver compelling value in high tech PR with high quality services, big league results, and hands-on, personalized service from senior professionals. Our positioning process provides differentiated messaging executed by the same experts who create it. Free consultation. Call Steve Parker at 978-975-7339 or email sparker@parkercomms.com  Visit http://www.parkercomms.com  for more information.
_________________

> Innovative Technologies to Link Project

Mgmt. with Project Accounting Learn how you can use shared data to enable project teams to accurately estimate and manage jobs, and in accordance, allow accounting to efficiently control costs and account for budgets. Attend our web seminar from the comfort of your own office! Register online at http://www.ssiconsulting.com/events/pma.html  or call 1-800-886-3369 x4618. Send inquiries to jd@ssiconsulting.com
_________________

> Interoperability: Solutions and Best Practices, June 24 - Orlando, FL

Are you trying to reach the first responders marketplace? Showcase your Interoperability solution to potential buyers, Government Procurement /Acquisition officials, at this event. Dereck Orr, Chief of Staff for the SAFECOM project, DHS and Gary Rogers, Program Manager, DHS - ODP will keynote. Register at http://www.aeanet.org/events/fljs_tdc062404.asp  Send inquiries to jennifer_gabriel@aeanet.org
_________________
 
> Preserving the Benefits of Open Source While Managing Risks - June 29

Open Source Risk Management, LLC presents, Preserving the Benefits of Open Source While Managing Risks Seminar on June 29, 2004. Whether new to Open Source or an early adopter, gain valuable knowledge to mitigate the risks of Open Source Software while preserving its unique benefits. Get answers to these questions and more: How should legal staff and developers work together? What Best Practices should I consider adopting? What does the current Open Source related litigation mean for my company? To Register : http://www.osriskmanagement.com/training.shtml  For more details: training@osriskmanagement.com

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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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