archives

o Judge Rules Set-top Makers Not Infringing Gemstar Program Guide Patents
o Liberty Broadband Interactive Television Acquires Wink for $100 Million
o Congressmen Contemplating Legislation to Lower New Webcast Royalty Rates
o Webcasting Services Firm Loudeye Lays Off 37% of Staff
o Survey: Half of Online U.S. Households Will Be Broadband by 2007
o InterTrust Adds More Claims to Patent Suit Against Microsoft
> TOMORROW: "Digital Music" Panel | Washington, DC
> Featured Event/Company: Jupiter Plug.IN, Directory of Homeland Security
o Briefly Noted: Virgin Entertainment Group - Amazon.com, THX, On2 - Ogg
Vorbis, Vivendi Universal Net USA - Lavalife, Absolut Vodka - album cover
promotion, CenterSpan Communications - MeTV, Sonic Foundry - Mick
Fleetwood, NDS - Fresh-IT, Rockstar Games
_____________________________________________

> Jobs: Vocalist- Marketing, New Media Producer, Circulation Planning
Director, Acct. Supervisor, Sr. Acct. Executive, Vice President, Product
Marketing Mgr., Search Engine Optimization Specialist, Sr. VP Sales

> Events: Mobile Messaging Summit, iHollywood Forum

> Marketplace: Free PR Offer, PowerPoint Designer, Bender/Helper Impact,
AlleyEvent

Full text of ads located beneath "Briefly Noted" section below.
To post a Classified Ad:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/mainpostingpage.html
or contact David Peebler at david@digitalmediawire.com
_____________________________________________

o Judge Rules Set-top Makers Not Infringing Gemstar Program Guide Patents

Washington -- A judge with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC)
has ruled that a number of set-top box manufacturers are not infringing on
patents held by Gemstar-TV Guide International, which develops electronic
program guides for digital and interactive television. The judge ruled
that EchoStar, Pioneer, Scientific-Atlanta and SCI Systems are not
violating Pasadena, Calif.-based Gemstar's patents by importing set-tops
into the U.S., which use programs guides Gemstar had claimed were
infringing on its proprietary technology. Gemstar said in a statement that
it has petitioned for a review of the ruling before the entire Commission,
and is also considering filing suit in federal court against the set-top
makers. Shares of Gemstar's stock were off nearly 40 percent Monday,
closing at $5.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020621/210194_1.html
http://www.usitc.gov/er/nl2002/set_top_boxes_id.pdf
_____________________________________________

o Liberty Broadband Interactive Television Acquires Wink for $100 Million

Alameda, Calif. -- Liberty Broadband Interactive Television (LBIT), a
newly-formed subsidiary of Liberty Media, announced on Monday that it will
acquire Wink Communications, a provider of interactive TV technology.
Under the terms, Oklahoma-based LBIT will acquire Alameda, Calif.-based
Wink for $3 a share, or about $100 million in cash. Liberty Media created
the LBIT unit to manage its other recent acquisitions in the interactive
television space -- middleware provider OpenTV and interactive ad
technology firm ACTV. Wink provides enhanced TV programming and
advertising technology to consumers who own Wink-enabled set-top box
receivers for their cable or satellite TV services. The service allows
viewers to interact with programs and ads using only their TV's remote
control.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020624/sfm087_1.html
http://www.wink.com
http://www.libertymedia.com
_____________________________________________

o Congressmen Contemplating Legislation to Lower New Webcast Royalty Rates

Washington -- Reps. Rick Boucher (D-Va.) and Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) called
the recently adopted royalty rates that webcasters must pay to stream
music online unfair, and said in a statement that they may introduce
legislation aimed at lowering the rates. "We are moderately encouraged
that the Librarian of Congress reduced the rates for Internet-only
webcasters to the same level AM/FM radio Internet broadcasters," reads a
statement on Boucher's website. "We remain very concerned, however, that
this rate will lead to the elimination of hundreds of small businesses and
does not provide a viable model to serve both the Internet radio industry
and recording artists." The lawmakers called attention to what they view
as a flawed Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel (CARP) process, where the
arbitrators are compelled to base their rates on already existing
marketplace deals. Boucher and Inslee argue that the webcasting CARP had
only one such deal to go on, which was not enough viable data on which to
base a rate determination.
http://www.house.gov/boucher/docs/Inslee_Carp.htm
_____________________________________________

o Webcasting Services Firm Loudeye Lays Off 37% of Staff

Seattle -- Loudeye Technologies, a provider of streaming media and
webcasting services, announced on Monday that it will lay off 37 percent
of its staff -- or about 60 employees -- as part of cost-cutting measures
the company expects will save it $10.2 million annually. Included in the
departing staff will be the company's chief financial officer, whose
duties will be assumed in the interim by vice president Jerry Goade. In
addition to the layoffs, Seattle-based Loudeye said its executives will
take a 10 percent salary cut. Loudeye provides services including hosting
digital music samples that are streamed to customers visiting retail sites
like CDNow.com. Shares of the company's stock have traded below the
Nasdaq's $1 minimum requirement for continued listing since February.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020624/sfm081_1.html
http://www.loudeye.com
_____________________________________________

o Survey: Half of Online U.S. Households Will Be Broadband by 2007

Durham, N.H. -- The number of U.S. broadband Internet subscribers will
continue to grow from 12.5 million at the end of the first quarter of 2002
to 37.3 million in 2007 -- accounting for half of all online households --
according to a report released on Monday by New Hampshire-based research
firm Leichtman Research Group. The report indicates that the top nine
cable TV operators, who provide services to 90 percent of U.S. cable
subscribers, currently make broadband Internet available to 75 percent of
the homes they pass. The report also found that price sensitivity will be
a factor in consumer broadband adoption, with twice as many consumers
surveyed saying they would subscribe at $30 per month as those who would
subscribe at $45 per month. "Unrealistic expectations have led some to be
disappointed with the growth of broadband," said Leichtman Research
president Bruce Leichtman. "The reality is that higher-priced broadband
Internet services have followed an aggressive consumer adoption curve, and
will continue healthy growth over the next several years."
http://www.leichtmanresearch.com/press/0624release.html
_____________________________________________

o InterTrust Adds More Claims to Patent Suit Against Microsoft

Santa Clara, Calif. -- InterTrust Technologies, a developer of digital
rights management and media distribution technologies, announced on Monday
that it has substantially expanded its patent infringement litigation
against Microsoft, bringing the totals to 11 patents, 144 claims and over
190 separate infringement scenarios. Santa Clara, Calif.-based InterTrust
initially sued Microsoft in April 2001, claiming the company's digital
rights management technology, used in its Windows Media Player, infringed
on its own. InterTrust's lawsuit now seeks an injunction against the
distribution of a variety of Microsoft products, including: Windows XP,
Office XP, Microsoft .NET, a number of Microsoft .NET-based products and
services, Windows Media Player, new embedded products such as Windows CE
for automotive, the Xbox video game console, and aspects of the company's
ActiveX technology. The suit also seeks unspecified monetary damages.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020624/sfm084_1.html
http://www.intertrust.com
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DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE PRESENTS -- 2nd Annual Digital Music Panel Series:
What's Next? -- Washington, DC (6/25) and NYC (6/26)

Premier Sponsors:
KMZ Rosenman | BMI | Plug.IN (7th Annual Jupiter Music Forum)

For more information and to register:
Washington, DC: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/Acteva/DCmusic2.htm
New York City: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/Acteva/NYmusic2.htm

> Washington, DC: Tuesday, June 25 | University Club

PANELISTS:
Michael Bracy, Director, Govt. Relations, Coalition for the Future of Music
John Coletta, Director, Operations & Business Affairs, New Media
Licensing, BMI
Philip Corwin, Partner, Butera & Andrews
Mitch Glazier, SVP, Govt. Relations & Legislative Counsel, RIAA
Lee Shubert, Partner, Entertainment & New Media, KMZ Rosenman
David Leibowitz, Partner, CH Boston, Co-Founder/Director, Verance

MODERATOR:
Paul Sherman, Co-Founder and Editor, Potomac Tech Wire

For more information and to register for the Washington, DC event:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/Acteva/DCmusic2.htm

> New York City: Wednesday, June 26 | Jaymont Auditorium

PANELISTS:
John Perry Barlow, Co-Founder & Vice Chairman, Electronic Frontier
Foundation
Ted Cohen, VP, New Media, EMI Recorded Music
Richard Conlon, VP, Marketing and Business Development Media Licensing, BMI
Michael Dorf, CEO, Knit Media
Jeff Liebenson, Partner, Entertainment & New Media, KMZ Rosenman
Marc Schiller, CEO, Electric Artists
Jon Vlassopulos, Senior Director, Digital World Services (a Bertelsmann
Company)

MODERATOR:
Ken Rutkowski, Founder and CEO, KenRadio.com

Technology Demonstrations by Ecast Inc.

For more information and to register for the New York event:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/Acteva/NYmusic2.htm

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=================
FEATURED SECTION
=================
To Post Features: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/featuredpostingpage.htm

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

Reason #1: The mics are live. The amps are hot. The show is on.
Plug.IN is more than a conference -- it is a show. This year promises to
be as entertaining as it is informative, and as much an event as year's
past. The entire music industry is challenged, which is more reason than
ever to come together to address common threats and opportunities.
Register today, then step up to the mic and prepare to sound off.
**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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Now Available: The Directory of Homeland Security

Digital Media Wire presents The Directory of Homeland Security: a 160-page
book that lists all federal and state agencies involved in homeland
security. The directory will include names of over 1,500 homeland security
officials, profiles of 500 agencies involved in homeland security, and a
detailed list of technology companies in this sector. The directory is
sponsored by NETSEC and Greenberg Traurig. To purchase the directory, go
to: http://www.homeland-directory.com

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o Briefly Noted:

(Los Angeles) Virgin Entertainment Group, a retail music, movie and
bookstore chain, announced on Monday that it will use Amazon.com's
e-commerce system for its U.S. and Japanese retail websites. A co-branded
version of Virginmega.com will offer Amazon.com's selection of music,
movie and book titles; Seattle-based Amazon will also provide fulfillment,
site content and customer service for the sites. As part of the agreement,
Virgin's Radio Free Virgin streaming radio service will be linked to from
the new co-branded site.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020624/240161_1.html
http://www.virginmega.com

(San Rafael, Calif.) "Star Wars" director George Lucas' company Lucasfilm
Ltd. announced on Monday that its THX subsidiary, which establishes a
quality standard for audio and video presentation in movie theaters and
for other uses, will be spun off into an independent company. Lucasfilm
also said that THX will be reorganized into several divisions to further
expand its quality standards into other markets, such as mobile and games.
http://www.thx.com

(New York) On2, a developer of video compression technology, announced on
Monday that it will combine its VP3 video codec offering with Ogg Vorbis,
a royalty-free digital audio compression technology being developed by a
group of programmers at Xiph.org. The audio/video combination will be an
alternative to other technologies, such as MPEG-4, which require companies
that use the technology to pay licensing fees to its creators. "We think
this is the next step in seeing VP3 and Vorbis propagate as widely used
formats for the distribution of digitally encoded multimedia content,"
said On2 founder and CTO Dan Miller.
http://www.on2.com/pressreleases.php3?qs1=vp3_combines_with_vorbis
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-938564.html?tag=fd_top
http://www.xiph.org

(Los Angeles) Vivendi Universal Net USA said on Monday that it has signed
a three-year agreement with online dating service Lavalife to integrate
the company's online personals service on its network of websites.
Lavalife personal ads will now be available on MP3.com, RollingStone.com,
MP4.com, GetMusic.com, EMusic.com and the Flipside Network.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020624/lam056_1.html
http://www.lavalife.com

(New York) Absolut Vodka on Monday released an interactive ad campaign
featuring influential album covers the company has utilized in its own
trademark liquor bottle advertisements. The campaign features commentary
from graphic designer Rob O'Connor on the design elements that went into
covers such as Andy Warhol's "banana" painting for The Velvet Underground,
Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew" and David Bowie's "Aladdin Sane."
http://www.absolut.com/albumcovers

(Hillsboro, Ore.) CenterSpan Communications, a provider of secure
peer-to-peer file-exchange services, announced on Monday that it will
distribute content from MeTV Networks, a broadband video-on-demand
provider of movie, music, sports and TV programs. Under the agreement,
MeTV will use Oregon-based CenterSpan's C-StarOne Network to distribute
video programming directly to its subscribers' televisions.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020624/sfm060_1.html
http://www.centerspan.com
http://www.metv.com

(Madison, Wisc.) Sonic Foundry, a provider of music creation software,
announced on Monday the release of an audio sample library containing some
800 drum loops created by Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood. The loops
can be used to create royalty-free music using Wisconsin-based Sonic
Foundry's ACID software.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020624/240021_1.html
http://www.sonicfoundry.com/Fleetwood

(London) Interactive TV developer NDS Group, a division of News Corp.,
said on Monday that it partnered with Spanish interactive TV developer
Fresh Interactive Technologies (Fresh-IT) to offer interactive music
programming from Music Choice to Canal Satelite Digital subscribers in
Spain.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020624/242004_1.html
http://www.nds.com
http://www.musicchoice.com
http://www.fresh-it.com

(San Francisco) The latest issue of Wired magazine includes a feature
story on video game developer Rockstar Games, which produces ultraviolent
titles for "mature" gamers, such as the top-selling "Grand Theft Auto 3"
and "State of Emergency." Rockstar chief operating officer Terry Donovan
has told the media that the company is not competing with other games
companies, but rather with other top brands and forms of media for its
audience's attention. "We're not competing with Konami, Hasbro, or Mattel.
We're competing with Def Jam, Adidas, and New Line Cinema," said Donovan.
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/10.07/rockstar.html
http://www.rockstargames.com
_____________________________________________

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===================
CLASSIFIEDS - JOBS
===================
To Post Jobs: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobpostingpage.htm
5-day ad: $150; 10-day ad $250

Entertainment Marketing - U.S. Marketing and Promotions - Los Angeles, CA

Do you like singing? Do you like children? Do you like toys? If you
answered YES to all of these questions then we have the job for you. U.S.
Marketing and Promotions, one of the top marketing agencies in the country
is seeking a fun outgoing SINGER to help execute a three month Toys R Us
tour for the new Hasbro Karaoke Toy "e.kara". Payment will range from $650
to $725 a week depending on experience, with a $30 a day per diem. If
interested please contact Victoria Kleemann at 310-373-9114 ext. 139, or
send an e-mail to Kleemann@usmpagency.com
_____________________________________________

Producer - Mattel - Los Angeles, CA

Mattel, Inc., the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and
marketing of toy products, seeks a Producer for its New Media division to
be responsible for assisting with all aspects of Interactive Licensing
including, the management of licensees for Mattel boys / entertainment
branded interactive videogames. 2yrs. prior experience as a Producer
managing 3rd party developers, or internal production teams through
concept, design, production, and QA phases required. Respond to:
mattel@rpc.webhire.com or mail: Mattel Inc., 333 Contintental Boulevard,
M1-0210, El Segundo, CA 90245
_____________________________________________

Circulation Planning Director - Primedia - New York, NY

Primedia Consumer Media & Magazine Group is seeking an experienced
Circulation Planning Director with 8-10 yrs of experience in a multi-title
environment. Must have strong anaytical, management and planning
experience; ability to manage 8-10 direct reports; experience with MPMW or
any circulation planning model a must. Responsible for needs of different
consitituencies: EVP, & Circulation Directors. Resume to:
katherine_nieva@primediamags.com
_____________________________________________

Public Relations Account Supervisor - Young Company PR - Los Angeles, CA

Young Company, an integrated marketing communications B2B Agency, seeks a
polished professional to manage our Blue Chip Client accounts. Experience
in Branding and Strategic Message Development a plus. Client Categories
include, financial, chemicals, electronics, business services and Web. Up
to $70k per year. Please email resumes to: HR@youngcompany.com
_____________________________________________

Software Dev/Consulting Firm - Sr. Account Executive - Washington DC

Offshore Software Dev. Firm looking for Sr. Acct Exec selling services
around BI, EAI, B2B Integration. Will be working from home and cover VA,
MD, DC area. Quota $2-3 mill. Base: $80-85k total comp $150-$200. Must
have past experience with Offshore Development company and 2-3 years
Direct Sales experience within industry. Send resumes to
kerry@cmicareers.com
_____________________________________________

Vice President - Access Communications - San Francisco, CA

Access Communications, a full-service public relations firm that
specializes in consumer & business technology www.accesspr.com, seeks a VP
to: Forecast, develop and manage account budgets; Manage $1.25M in
revenue; Forecast billable hours within the business unit; Manage
invoicing; and Ensure strong relationship between agency & clients. Must
have 10+ yrs. experience in public relations, marketing communications,
and/or journalism. Email resume to: jobs@accesspr.com with job title in
subject line.
_____________________________________________

Product Marketing Manager - Avaya Communications - Milpitas, CA

Responsible for directing development of market requirements for specific
products. Monitor development of business plans, managing lifecycles and
product positioning. Oversee market research, monitor competitive activity
and identify customer needs. 8-10 yrs product marketing experience with
solid understanding of product lifecycle management. To apply, go to
www.avaya.com/work and search for this job by entering Job# 9040HS in the
Job# field. Reference WEB-HOTJ/9040HS in cover letter.
_____________________________________________

Search Engine Optimization Specialist - Specialty Merchandise -
Chatsworth, CA

Specialty Merchandise Corporation is currently in looking for a SEO
Specialist. Working in our Web Building Department, you will assist our
members by optimizing their e-commerce sites for SE submissions. Must have
knowledge and experience with SE's and SEO, be able to analyze web pages
for HTML errors, Hard Code HTML, CSS, Meta Tags, Title Tags, Key Words,
Doorway pages, information pages, and gateway pages. Knowledge of
JavaScript and Photoshop. Contact psidhu@smcorp.com
_____________________________________________

====================
CLASSIFIEDS - EVENTS
====================
To Post Events: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/eventpostingpage.htm
5-day ad: $150; 10-day ad $250

Attend the first Mobile Messaging Summit in New York produced by
MobileTech Forum. Hear industry leaders from Verizon, AOL, Cingular, Sun,
AOL, Nokia and many others on how to form deals and partnerships, attract
capital and monetize content for mobile messaging services and
applications. View agenda and speakers at http://www.MobileTechForum.com
for more details. New York on June 27. For info call (310) 815-3884 or
info@MobileTechForum.com
_____________________________________________

iHollywood Forum presents: Video on Demand and Pay per View: Making Money
from On-Demand Content. Attend networking dinner and panel discussion on
June 24 in New York. Speakers include senior executives from Mobius
Ventures, Disney, Showtime Networks, NBC, Liberate TV and TVN
Entertainment. Network and make deals with technology, entertainment,
broadcast and cable industry executives. Go to
http://www.iHollywoodForum.com for details to register or call (310)
815-3884
_____________________________________________

==========================
CLASSIFIEDS - MARKETPLACE
==========================
To Post Marketplace:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplacepostingpage.htm
5-day ad: $150; 10-day ad $250

New Media Firms: Free PR Strategy Assessment

BONUS: The first 5 readers to respond to this ad will be offered a free
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awareness soar. We specialize in new media clients and publications. For
a free strategy assessment and tips you can use immediately, contact David
Cotriss at dcotriss@attbi.com or call 323-851-9532.
_____________________________________________

PowerPoint Chic - Sophisticated Slide Master Extraordinaire

Can your slides use visual volume, a graphic gladiator, a pie
perfectionist or content contortionist? Marketing savvy, interactive
designer with 5+ years of digital content and distribution service
experience can help your company slide ahead of the competition. WARNING:
Audience may be left screaming for more! Portfolio and references
available. For more information, contact Gale at ggcreativepro@hotmail.com
_____________________________________________

Paying Too Much for Web Hosting? - ISPCheck - Save Money!

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Database Management System - Alpha 5 - Free Trial!

Finding Access confusing or Excel not flexible for managing data? Try
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_____________________________________________

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
_____________________________________________

AlleyEvent: The Source for Local Business Events

Want to find opportunities for local networking and professional
development? Digital Media Wire readers get a free subscription to
AlleyEvent's customized weekly newsletter at
http://www.alleyevent.com/signup. Would you like to Speak at events, trade
shows or conferences? Subscribe to AlleyEvent's Speaker Alert, a Speaking
Opportunity announcement service. For information, email us at
info@alleyevent.com. Want to promote your Company's Seminar? Corporate
Event Sponsorship? or Speaker(s)? We help companies raise their visibility
locally.
_____________________________________________

To subscribe, go to:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com

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Copyright 2002 Digital Media Wire