archives

o Adobe Withdraws Complaint Against Russian Hacker, Asks for His Freedom
o Five More Studios Endorse Digital Video Security Standard
o Napster Hires Bertelsmann Exec as New CEO; Interim CEO Barry Out
o CNET Networks Laying Off 15% of Staff
o TiVo Raising Up to $75 Million Through Private Placement
o Syndication Firm ScreamingMedia Acquires StockPoint for $21.6 Million
o Interactive TV Firm MetaTV Gets $2 Million from Canadian Cable Provider
o Shareholder Class Actions Filed Against Liquid Audio
> Tomorrow: Digital Media Wire Seminar - Interactive TV | Los Angeles
o Briefly Noted: MusicNet - Zomba Recording Group, XM Satellite Radio
launch, Radio Free Virgin - RioPort, AIM - FCC, RealPlayer Mobile -
providers, Pioneer XM tuners, IPublish.com, DataPlay - Reciprocal, AOL -
Universal Pictures
_____________________________________________

> Job Postings: Listings Editor, Director of Sales, Sr. Director of Q/A,
Programmer/Analyst

> Events/Services: "SHORTSPAN Film & Video Festival - Pacific Northwest
Tour," "New England Tech Wire - Free Email News Service,"
"Human Resources Seminar"

Full Job/Event/Services 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/Service: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events.html
_____________________________________________

o Adobe Withdraws Complaint Against Russian Hacker, Asks for His Freedom

San Jose, Calif. -- Adobe Systems has withdrawn its complaint with the
U.S. Justice Department against a Russian hacker that publicized software
he wrote that can remove the security from the company's e-book reader
technology. Additionally, the company has recommended that Dmitry Sklyarov
be released by the government. The company met Monday with the Electronic
Frontier Foundation (EFF) -- which organized boycotts against Adobe after
Sklyarov was arrested -- and later released a joint statement. "We
strongly support the DMCA and the enforcement of copyright protection of
digital content," said Colleen Pouliot, general counsel for Adobe.
"However, the prosecution of this individual in this particular case is
not conducive to the best interests of any of the parties involved or the
industry." It is unclear whether or not the U.S. government will continue
to prosecute Sklyarov, who still remains in jail. He was arrested under a
provision of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act that says publishing a
method of circumventing anti-piracy technologies is a criminal offense.
http://www.eff.org/IP/DMCA/US_v_Sklyarov/20010723_eff_adobe_sklyarov_pr.html
http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,45484,00.html
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o Five More Studios Endorse Digital Video Security Standard

Los Angeles -- Joining two major motion picture studios that announced
their endorsement last week, five additional studios have approved
technology developed to prevent the piracy of digital movies and TV shows
distributed digitally, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday. Universal
Studios, MGM, Walt Disney Co., Paramount Studios and 20th Century Fox have
joined Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. in their endorsement of Digital
Transmission Content Protection (DTCP). The standard for video security is
based on encryption technology and was developed by the "5C Entity," a
group of consumer electronics firms that includes Hitachi, Toshiba, Sony,
Intel and Matsushita. The studios also suggested placing watermarks in
video files so that if the encryption is broken, the perpetrators will be
more easily identified. Approval of the DTCP technology will accelerate
the development of services like digital TV and video-on-demand, which
have lagged due to fear of pirated digital signals from the studios and
networks.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la000060309jul24.story?coll=la%2Dheadlines%2Dbusiness
http://www.dtcp.com/
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o Napster Hires Bertelsmann Exec as New CEO; Interim CEO Barry Out

Redwood City, Calif. -- Napster announced on Tuesday that it has appointed
Konrad Hilbers -- former executive vice president and chief administrative
officer at BMG -- as its new CEO. Hilbers replaces interim CEO Hank Barry,
who will remain on Napster's board. In a previous role at AOL Europe,
Hilbers was responsible for building and managing the online brands for
AOL, Netscape and Compuserve in Europe. His first task at Napster will be
to oversee the launch of its new paid subscription service later this
summer. "The next step is to complete the task of transforming this
phenomenon into a business that respects copyrights and rewards creators,"
said Hilbers. Departing chief executive Hank Barry is credited with
brokering the company's deal with Bertelsmann/BMG, as well as with other
record labels like TVT Records, Edel Music and hundreds of European
independents. He was also at the forefront of the company's legal battle
with the RIAA and many other parties.
http://www.napster.com/pressroom/pr/010724.html
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o CNET Networks Laying Off 15% of Staff

San Francisco -- CNET Networks, publisher of technology site News.com and
provider of technology product information and services, announced on
Tuesday that it will lay off 15 percent of its staff during the third
quarter of this year. The company reported losses in the current quarter
that it attributed to the declining advertising market. San
Francisco-based CNET Networks did not say where or exactly when the
layoffs would fall. "Regardless of the current environment, there is no
question of the ongoing importance of technology to business around the
world, and of its expected growth over the next 10 years," said CNET
chairman and CEO Shelby Bonnie.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010724/sftu129.html
http://www.cnet.com
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o TiVo Raising Up to $75 Million Through Private Placement

San Jose, Calif. -- TiVo, a developer and manufacturer of personal video
recorders (PVRs), said on Tuesday that it will raise between $50 million
and $75 million through a private placement of its stock. The company --
which laid off 80 employees in April -- confirmed recently that it
believes it will become profitable by the end of 2003. San Jose-based
TiVo's devices are used by viewers to pause and record live television.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010724/sftu053.html
http://www.tivo.com
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o Syndication Firm ScreamingMedia Acquires StockPoint for $21.6 Million

New York -- ScreamingMedia, a provider of syndication services for online
and offline publications, announced that it will acquire StockPoint, a
provider of online financial applications and market information, in a
cash and stock transaction valued at about $21.6 million. Coralville,
Iowa-based StockPoint will become a subsidiary of New York-based
ScreamingMedia, and StockPoint CEO William E. Staib will become executive
vice president of technology for ScreamingMedia. The companies did not
disclose how many employees will be laid off as a result of the agreement.
ScreamingMedia expects the acquisition to strengthen its offering to the
financial services industry, enabling it to offer finance-related software
and technology along with its financial news and information.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010723/nym115_5.html
http://www.screamingmedia.com
http://www.stockpoint.com
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o Interactive TV Firm MetaTV Gets $2 Million from Canadian Cable Provider

Mill Valley, Calif. -- MetaTV, a developer of software programs for
interactive television, announced on Tuesday that it has raised $2 million
in new financing from Rogers Communications, a Canadian cable provider.
The company has raised a total of $30 million in 2001. Mill Valley-based
MetaTV's technology and services allow broadcasters and content providers
to develop iTV content, portals and software. The company will use the
funds to accelerate the deployment of its Universal Portal Platform, a
group of services that are compatible with all major interactive TV
set-top software platforms.
http://www.metatv.com/news/new/072401_rogers.htm
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o Shareholder Class Actions Filed Against Liquid Audio

Redwood City, Calif. -- Two separate class action lawsuits have been filed
on behalf of shareholders against digital music distribution firm Liquid
Audio, both in connection with the company's 1999 initial public offering.
The suits charge officers of Redwood City-based Liquid Audio -- including
founder and CEO Gerry Kearby -- and investment banks Lehman Brothers,
BancBoston Robertson Stephens and U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray, with
inflating the company's stock value while individual investors lost out.
Many Internet companies -- including InterTrust, MP3.com and DoubleClick
-- face similar class actions in connection with their IPOs. Wired News
recently featured the trend in an article available at a link below.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010723/phm058.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/010720/02029655_2.html
http://www.wired.com/news/ipo/0,1350,44250,00.html
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> ***TOMORROW***
Digital Media Wire Presents a Panel Discussion:
"iTV: Defining the New Face of Television"

Los Angeles | Wednesday, July 25th at the Four Seasons Hotel

SPONSORS:
Deloitte Consulting
Jones Day Reavis & Pogue

This panel of players ranging from content providers to hardware
developers will discuss the new face of television, which will include
anamalgam of services like email, IPGs (interactive program guides), PVRs
(personal video recorders), enhanced TV, etc., and what it means for
Hollywood, the tech industry and most importantly, the consumer.
For more information and to register:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/LAitv.html

MODERATOR:
Michael Kline - Senior Manager | Deloitte Consulting

SPEAKERS:
Amy Friedlander - VP Business Development | Intertainer
Michael Higashi - Dir. of Strategic Marketing/Corporate Development |
Canal Plus Technologies
Edward Monnier - Director of BizDev & Strategy | Liberty Digital
David Nathanson - Director, Broadband Strategy | Fox Cable Networks
Erik Smith - Director of Content Partnerships | Liberate Technologies

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION:
larta - the technology alliance for southern California

For more information and to register:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/LAitv.html
_____________________________________________

o Briefly Noted:

(New York) MusicNet, a digital music subscription service being created by
RealNetworks and major labels Warner, EMI and BMG, said on Tuesday that
independent label Zomba Recording Group has agreed to license content to
the service. Zomba's Jive Records is home to such popular music artists as
Britney Spears, 'NSync and the Backstreet Boys.
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-6656723.html?tag=cd_mh
http://www.jiverecords.com

(New York) XM Satellite Radio announced on Tuesday that its
satellite-delivered digital radio service will launch in Dallas/Fort Worth
and San Diego on September 12, with the entire Southwest region launching
in mid-October and a national launch scheduled for November. The service
will cost $9.99 per month and will deliver 71 music and 29 news, talk,
sports and entertainment channels. Rival Sirius Satellite Radio has yet to
announce the launch date for its service. D.C.-based XM also said it has
hired ad firm TBWA/Chiat/Day to launch a $100 million ad campaign for its
service.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010724/latu095.html
http://www.xmradio.com

(Los Angeles) Radio Free Virgin, a unit of Virgin that provides Web radio
to users, said on Tuesday that it has partnered with RioPort to allow
users to purchase digital downloads of songs and albums they hear on the
service. Los Angeles-based Radio Free Virgin also sells CDs through links
to Virgin's online music store, VirginMega.com. RioPort has deals with the
major labels and many indies to provide a limited amount of promotional
and paid digital downloads from their catalogs to online retailers.
http://radiofreevirgin.com
http://www.rioport.com

(Washington, D.C.) America Online will test a version of its instant
messaging software later this summer that will be compatible with
competing services from Microsoft and others, the Associated Press
reported Tuesday. The company filed a report with the FCC, required as
part of the approval of its merger with Time Warner, that announced its
plans for the test. AOL said that the task will not be easy, as opening up
the service may make it easier for hackers and spammers to abuse it.
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-6651479.html?tag=cd_mh

(Seattle) RealNetworks said on Tuesday that a number of content providers
have agreed to offer their music and videos through the company's
RealPlayer Mobile portal for users of wireless devices. Content from
Virgin Radio, BMG Entertainment, Kirch New Media, TF1, Darker Than Blue,
Aestheticom and Supersoni.com will be available for download to users'
whose devices run on the Symbian mobile operating system. Wireless device
makers Ericsson, Kenwood, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, Psion, Sanyo,
Siemens and Sony either are developing Symbian-based products or already
sell them. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010724/sftu063.html
http://www.real.com/player/mobile/

(Long Beach, Calif.) Consumer electronics firm Pioneer said on Tuesday
that it will begin selling tuners compatible with XM Satellite Radio's
digital radio service in September. Pioneer is offering an add-on that
lets existing Pioneer car stereos receive the satellite signals for $199,
and a new model that includes a CD player along with the satellite tuner
for $399. D.C.-based XM Satellite Radio said today that its service will
cost $9.99 per month and launch nationwide in November.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010724/latu074.html
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pioneer/CDA/CarProducts/CarWhatsNew/0,1428,40~4020,00.html

(New York) IPublish.com, a Time Warner Books unit that publishes authors'
works as e-books, on Tuesday announced an e-book in progress where authors
are encouraged to submit additional chapters "in the life of an heirloom
wedding dress." Author and screenwriter Nicole Conn wrote the original
"The Wedding Dress;" the best submissions from readers and other authors
will become part of a multi-author electronic anthology.
http://iread.ipublish.com/iPublish_Com/product.asp?sku=1047&genre_id=4
http://www.ipublish.com/iwrite/editors_desk_romance.asp

(Boulder, Colo.) DataPlay, a manufacturer of quarter-sized storage discs
for digital media, said on Tuesday that New York-based Reciprocal will
provide it with digital distribution fulfillment services. Reciprocal will
serve as a digital clearing service for DataPlay, processing payments on
any extra content added to pre-recorded DataPlay discs that is initially
"locked" from consumers. Reciprocal's network of retail outlets that will
provide its services includes Best Buy, Circuit City and Target.
http://www.dataplay.com/jsp_files/en/news/pressreleases-desc.jsp?pressrelease=pressrelease-desc-01-07-23
http://www.reciprocal.com

(Dulles, Va.) America Online said on Tuesday that it has formed a
marketing alliance with Universal Pictures, whereby Universal's films will
be promoted across AOL Time Warner media properties. In addition to AOL
Moviefone and other online promotions targeted at AOL members, Universal's
films will receive placement on TV's TNT and WB networks and in AOL Time
Warner online magazines like EntertainmentWeekly.com and People.com.
http://www.universalstudios.com

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

> America Online, Listings Editor - New York City

Get a start in shopping journalism with Digital City, America Online's
local city guide. We're looking for full-time freelance editorial
assistants to help curate our shopping listings and program our shopping
pages. You should be a web-savvy college graduate with good writing
skills. Journalism background and/or Photoshop experience is a plus.
Send resumes in the body of an email to: doctorvas@aol.com
http://www.home.digitalcity.com
______________________

> H2O Networks, Director of Sales - New York City

Must have the ability to sell products & services ranging from a twenty
thousand dollar fixed price solution sale to a several hundred thousand
dollar integrated services sale. Background in Web Development,
Advertising, Affinity Marketing, Agency experience or other related fields
is a necessity. Ideal candidate will have a network of contacts that can
be leveraged to effect immediate sales. Steady commission possible.
Send resumes to: jon@h2onetworks.net
http://www.h2onetworks.net
______________________

> Aether Systems, Sr. Director of Quality Assurance - McLean, VA

Provide leadership and mentoring in component based, mobile and wireless
enterprise-wide software development environment. Proven track record to
lead several QA teams in various geographic locations. Member of core
development team responsible for Object Oriented, iterative, use-case
driven rapid software development. Manage 60+ and integrate QA initiatives
throughout the development organization.
Send resumes to rcronin@aethersystems.com
http://www.aethersystems.com
______________________

> Music Reports, Inc., Programmer/Analyst - Los Angeles

Duties include database & software design, development, coding & testing
for business applications, as well as trouble-shooting & maintenance of
existing systems. Must have extensive coding experience in a complex
relational database/data warehouse environment that includes title
matching for large volumes of data from various sources designing &
implementing technical solutions for research, data retrieval, delivery
and reporting. Send resumes to: Dbrainin@musicreports.com
http://www.musicreports.com

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

> 9th Annual SHORTSPAN Film & Video Festival - Pacific Northwest Tour: Aug. 3-13

SHORT MOVIES! Dreamspan presents the 9TH Annual Short Attention Span Film & Video Festival. Shortspan is a non-stop two hour program of ALL NEW
two-minute-or-shorter films, including Michael Moore's "Testify," Canadian
David Weir's collaboration with Douglas Coupland, "Night Shift"-- and 57
more shorts! The tour kicks off in the Pacific Northwest and will travel
to 30 North American cities! Pac NW tour dates are:

VANCOUVER, B.C.: The Blinding Light Cinema - August 3rd and 4th - 8:30PM
SEATTLE, WA: 911 Media Arts Center - August 9th and 10th - 8PM
PORTLAND, OR: Northwest Film Center - August 12th and 13th - 7:30PM
http://www.dreamspan.com/shortspan
______________________

> New England Tech Wire - Free Email News Service

New England Tech Wire is a free daily email service that summarizes the
most important technology, venture capital, and Internet stories from
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and
Vermont. Every business day, readers rely on us for a quick, objective
briefing of the region's top technology and venture capital stories.
Sign up for free at http://www.newenglandtechwire.com
______________________

> Human Resources Seminar: Recruitment, Retention and "Rightsizing"

"Managing Your People in the Current Market: Recruitment, Retention and
Rightsizing." The panelists will share their varied expertise on
compensation, outplacement, legal issues, employee communications, and
recruitment tools in the current market. When: Wednesday, July 25, 2001.
Where: McLean Hilton. For more information and to register for this event:
http://www.potomactechwire.com/seminar10.htm
______________________

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http://www.digitalmediawire.com

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mark@digitalmediawire.com

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Copyright 2001 Digital Media Wire