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July 29, 2004 -- About Us | Advertise | Events | Publications | Subscribe

Main Stories
o FTC Gives Antitrust Approval to Sony BMG Record Label Merger
o French ISPs to Unplug File-Swappers Under Government Anti-Piracy Plan
o Apple "Stunned" Over RealNetworks "Hack," Investigating Legal Options
o U.K. Retailer Pulls Violent "Manhunt" Video Game After Teen's Murder
o Contest Seeks Real-Life Battleground Stories for Online War Game
o Mobile Entertainment Publisher Sorrent Raises $20 Million
o Search Engine Marketing Firm Fathom Online Raises $6 Million

 > DMW Announcements:
 --Future of Television: Next Generation - November 19, 2004

 > Featured Advertisement:
 --Sr Manager, Digital Media Portal Content - NEXTEL
 --Billboard Digital Entertainment Conference & Awards - Nov. 4-5
 

o Briefly Noted: BBC Technology - Siemens - union strike, XM Satellite Radio - Bob Edwards - public radio channel, iVillage - Hearst Communications, RealNetworks, Todito - Wave Systems, CSTV - Comcast, Midway Games - Epic Games, Eidos - "Backyard Wrestling" soundtrack, In-Fusio, Atari - Epic Games, "This Land Is Your Land" Web parody - Guthrie copyright suit?
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> Job/Event/Marketplace Classifieds:
--Sr Manager, Digital Media Portal Content - NEXTEL
--Major Account Manager
--Solutions Marketing Manager
--e-Business Product Analyst
--Program Manager
--Managing Editor
--Director of Public Relations
--Database Programmer
--Leverage the India Advantage -- For Your Data Needs 
--VPTC Wireless Networking Symposium
 


o FTC Gives Antitrust Approval to Sony BMG Record Label Merger

Washington -- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has concluded its antitrust investigation into the proposed merger of two of the world's five major record labels -- Sony Music and BMG -- and given the merger the green-light. The FTC also worked with the European Commission on that regulatory body's antitrust investigation into the merger; the EC granted its approval of the deal last week. The merger of Sony's and Bertelsmann's music businesses will create a joint venture, Sony BMG, which will become the world's second-largest record company, behind Universal. Opponents argued further consolidation in the music industry, which in the past two decades has seen a multitude of formerly independent labels swallowed by what will now be the "big four," would harm artists in the long run. "We now look forward to creating a global recorded music company comprising many of the world's most successful artists as well as a vast catalog of recordings," BMG said in a statement.
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/07/sonybmg.htm      
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o French ISPs to Unplug File-Swappers Under Government Anti-Piracy Plan

Paris -- French Internet service providers Club-Internet, Free, Noos, Tiscali France and Wanadoo have signed an agreement with the French government that will allow the ISPs to pull the plug on people who illegally download music. Under the terms of the agreement, which enjoys the full support of several record labels and musician's groups, the ISPs will begin to employ termination or suspension clauses to cancel subscriptions of pirates caught in flagrante delicto. The government's charter also calls on music copyright holders to publicize by year's end targeted civil and criminal court action against pirates. Hoping to head off criticism of the agreement, Christine Levet, head of the local Association of Internet Service Providers, told French news agency AFP that members of her organization would send warning messages to customers upon request from rights holders, emphasizing that Internet service would be cut off "only upon the decision of a judge."
http://makeashorterlink.com/?L54121DE8    
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o Apple "Stunned" Over RealNetworks "Hack," Investigating Legal Options

Cupertino, Calif. -- In what could portend another lawsuit testing controversial provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), Apple released a terse statement late Wednesday decrying rival RealNetworks' recent release of software that makes its music service compatible with Apple's iPod. On Tuesday, RealNetworks released "Harmony," which in the process of making songs purchased from Real's online store compatible with the iPod, may circumvent Apple's security technology in a potential violation of the DMCA. "We are stunned that RealNetworks has adopted the tactics and ethics of a hacker to break into the iPod, and we are investigating the implications of their actions under the DMCA and other laws," the company said in a statement. "We strongly caution Real and their customers that when we update our iPod software from time to time it is highly likely that Real's Harmony technology will cease to work with current and future iPods." In a response to Apple's statement, RealNetworks said Harmony "does not remove or disable any digital rights management system," and in fact "follows in a well-established tradition of fully legal, independently developed paths to achieve compatibility," citing as precedent the first IBM compatible PCs manufactured by Compaq.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040729/sfth037_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040729/sfth065_1.html 
http://makeashorterlink.com/?F3F912DE8
http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/040729/tech_apple_3.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/040729/apple_realnetworks_ipod_3.html       
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o U.K. Retailer Pulls Violent "Manhunt" Video Game After Teen's Murder

London -- U.K. electronics retail chain Dixons has pulled video game publisher Take-Two Interactive's violent "Manhunt" title from shelves, after parents of a 14-year-old murdered by a 17-year-old blamed the act on the game. Developed by Take-Two's Rockstar Games unit -- which also created the violent top-seller "Grand Theft Auto" -- "Manhunt" takes place in a prison where players must kill people in growingly more gruesome manners in order to progress in the game. The title does feature an 18-plus label, and is not intended for sale to minors. Warren Leblanc, 17, has pleaded guilty to murdering Stefan Pakeerah, 14, via repeated blows with a claw hammer and knife. "Stefan's murder compares to how the game is set out, using weapons like hammers and knives. If games like this influence kids, they should be taken off the shelves," Stefan's father Patrick told Reuters. However, prosecutors in the case say that Leblanc lured Pakeerah into a park in order to rob him over an unpaid drug-related debt. A trade group of European video game publishers denied any connection between the game and the murder. "We reject any suggestion or association between the tragic events in the Midlands and the sale of the video game Manhunt," the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers' Association (ELSPA) said, in a statement.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?I44D12DE8
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content/ret/3890
http://www.elspa.com/about/pr/pr.asp?mode=view&t=1&id=463 
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o Contest Seeks Real-Life Battleground Stories for Online War Game

New York -- Online game developer Kuma Reality Games on Thursday announced its "Stories From The Front" contest, which aims to find the most compelling real battle story from a U.S. soldier, which will then be re-created for the company's "Kuma\War" online game. The company uses real world headlines as fodder for its military PC game, which has recently featured levels such as "Uday and Qusay Hussein's Last Stand in Mosul"; "Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan"; "Fallujah Abizaid Attack" and "Battle in Sadr City." "It's our intention to create an interactive record of this war, and gaining the personal involvement of soldiers who participated is essential," said Kuma CEO Keith Halper. The contest's winner and three buddies will appear in the playable episode as 3D game characters. New York-based Kuma Reality Games also said it is donating $1 of all paid subscriptions from "Kuma\War" to The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, created to assist families of soldiers killed in the line of duty. "We've already received a wide array of contest submissions ranging from entries from soldiers fighting on the frontlines today, to entries from soldiers who fought in wars from years past such as Vietnam, who want their stories to be told," said Sarah Anderson, Kuma's vice president of marketing.
http://www.kumawar.com/contest.php 
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o Mobile Entertainment Publisher Sorrent Raises $20 Million

San Mateo, Calif. -- Mobile entertainment publisher Sorrent announced on Thursday that it has raised $20 million in its third round of venture capital financing. BA Venture Partners led the investment round; previous investors New Enterprise Associates, Globespan Capital Partners and Sienna Ventures also participated. San Mateo, Calif.-based Sorrent develops games for cell phones, and has partnerships with companies including Atari, Fox Sports Interactive Media and Viacom. The company will use the funds to expand its global reach and distribution. Separately, Sorrent announced that it has signed a direct publishing agreement with Korean telco SK Telecom.
http://www.sorrent.com     
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o Search Engine Marketing Firm Fathom Online Raises $6 Million

San Francisco -- Fathom Online, a San Francisco-based provider of search engine marketing services, said that it has secured $6 million in its first round of private equity financing from Constellation Ventures, a Bear Stearns Asset Management Venture Capital Fund and private investors. Launched in 2002, Fathom partners with brands such as Google, Yahoo, FindWhat, Business.com, DoubleClick and Quigo Technologies to provide keyword marketing services to online advertising clients. The company, which recently opened additional offices in New York, said that it expects its 2004 sales to be about 450% higher than those a year ago.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040727/sftu081_1.html 
http://www.fathomonline.com   

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 > DMW Events:

Future of Television Forum: Next Generation
November 19, 2004  |  New York City

www.televisionconference.com
Phone Registration Available Now
323-822-0936

OVERVIEW
Last year 370+ attended Future of Television Forum, which included keynotes from Mark Cuban (Chairman, HDNet / Owner, Dallas Mavericks), Joshua Sapan (President & CEO Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc.), and David Zaslav (President, NBC Cable). This year's event is scheduled for November 19, 2004 at NYU's Stern School of Business and will feature an impressive line-up of speakers and cutting-edge topics focused on the "Next Generation" of television.

REGISTRATION
Early Bird: $195 (until August 31)
Pre-Registration: $295
(until November 12)
Registration: $395 (after November 12 & at Door)
Online Registration: http://kb.digitalmediawire.com/register.php?eventid=1074

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:

> Sr Manager, Digital Media Portal Content - NEXTEL

Manage Internet content acquisition and launch for various Digital Media products. Content may include WAP, JAVA, Ring Tones, Screen Savers, Wallpaper, SMS, MMS, and Location Based Services. Will coordinate with partners and Nextel Business Development to obtain Digital Media Content for catalog. Coordinate with marketing and partners for promotion of Digital Media products. Requires directly related experience. http://www.nextel.com/about/index.shtml
Contact: chris.allison@nextel.com


> Billboard Digital Entertainment Conference & Awards, November 4-5 

The Billboard Digital Entertainment Awards honor this vision, along with innovation, entrepreneurship and brand development in digital entertainment.

With awards in 30 unique categories honoring achievements involving games, music and film, television and video, Billboard recognizes the cutting-edge developments and forward thinkers shaping the future of entertainment.

The Conference will feature provocative panel sessions on current digital entertainment issues. For a complete list of speakers, panel and keynote addresses, visit the site below. Early bird registration ends August 31st!

For more information, please call 323-822-0936 or visit www.digitalentertainmentawards.com

For online awards submissions, conference registrations and purchasing Awards Gala Dinner tickets, please click here.

Deadline for Submissions: September 15, 2004

Conference & Awards Show: November 4 and 5, 2004

AWARDS CATEGORIES
(click here for category descriptions)
AWARDS ENTRY FORM
(click here to download entry form)

 

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o Briefly Noted:

((London) Members of the Bectu trade union on Thursday called off plans for workers at BBC Technology to strike on July 30-31, the opening days of the Olympic Games in Greece. The union had planned the strike to protest BBC Technology's upcoming sale to Germany's Siemens Business Services, which angered many workers when it proposed a number of changes to pension plans and working terms and conditions. Earlier this week, however, Siemens agreed to guarantee current terms for three years and promised better pensions for some staff, leading Bectu to call off the strike until union members could vote on whether to accept the deal.
http://www.bectu.org.uk

(Washington) XM Satellite Radio, a provider of satellite-delivered digital radio programming, on Thursday announced plans to launch an XM Public Radio channel on Sept. 1. Content will be provided by Public Radio International, American Public Media and WBUR, and will include a news show hosted by former "Morning Edition" host Bob Edwards in addition to programs such as "This American Life," Michael Feldman's "Whad'Ya Know?" and Garrison Keillor's "The Writer's Almanac."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040729/dcth046_1.html 
http://www.xmradio.com

(New York) IVillage, an Internet media company catering to women, announced on Thursday that it has extended an agreement with publisher Hearst Communications, where iVillage will provide hosting and production services for Hearst magazine websites. Under the terms of the three-year deal, Hearst will pay iVillage $12.5 million to maintain sites for Cosmopolitan, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Redbook, House Beautiful, Marie Claire and Town & Country. Hearst will also pay $4.15 million in fees during each year of the agreement. IVillage will sell ads on the sites, sharing revenue with Hearst, and also receive a commission on magazine sales generated through iVillage site links.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040729/nyth092_1.html 
http://www.hearstcorp.com 
http://www.ivillage.com

(Seattle) Media delivery technology provider RealNetworks has named former XM Satellite Radio vice president of marketing Robert Acker as vice president of its RealPlayer software media player business. Acker will oversee development, distribution and marketing of the RealPlayer, which competes with Microsoft's Windows Media Player, Apple's QuickTime and others.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040728/sfw081_1.html 
http://www.realnetworks.com

(Mexico City) Todito, an ISP and portal for North American Spanish speakers, announced on Thursday that it has launched a premium broadband Internet video-on-demand service featuring New York-based Wave Systems' Wavexpress delivery technology. Todito will offer both free and subscription-based programming from Hispanic TV network TV Azteca, which owns a stake in the company.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040729/295045_1.html 
http://www.wavexpress.com 
http://www.todito.com

(New York) Cable TV network College Sports Television (CSTV) announced on Thursday an agreement with cable TV operator Comcast, that will result in carriage of the network and its video-on-demand offering in all Comcast markets nationwide.
http://www.comcast.com 
http://www.collegesports.com 

(Chicago) Video game developer Midway Games announced that it has signed a multi-year agreement with fellow developer Epic Games, to publish three new titles based on Epic's popular "Unreal" franchise, which has to date generated $200 million in revenue. Chicago-based Midway obtained the publishing rights to "Unreal Championship 2" for Xbox, due for release in 2005, as well as two future installments of "Unreal Tournament" for PC and next-generation consoles.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040728/285758_1.html 
http://www.midway.com 
http://www.epicgames.com

(San Francisco) U.K.-based game developer Eidos on Thursday announced the roster of artists featured on the in-game soundtrack for its "Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes the Neighborhood" title for PlayStation 2 and Xbox. The soundtrack will feature tracks from Andrew WK, Hoobastank, Dizzee Rascal, Gwar, KRS-One, Kool Keith, Insane Clown Posse and others. The title is currently in development at Moorpark, Calif.-based Paradox Development for an October release.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040728/sfw071_1.html 
http://www.px.com

(Los Angeles) Mobile games publisher In-Fusio on Thursday announced the launch of its "Shado Fighter" title, which is now available for download from all major U.S. wireless carriers. Los Angeles-based In-Fusio has also developed games based on licenses from Microsoft, Comedy Central and Universal Studios.
http://www.in-fusio.com

(Los Angeles) Video game publisher Atari announced on Thursday that it has partnered with Epic Games, developer of the multiplayer shooter title "Unreal Tournament 2004," to release an expanded version of the game in the fall. The "Editor's Choice Edition" will include new maps, vehicles, characters and a selection of user-made game modifications (mods) chosen by Epic's staff.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040729/295454_1.html 
http://www.epicgames.com 
http://www.unrealtournament.com

(San Francisco) Wired News on Thursday reported that the makers of the popular "This Land Is Your Land" Web parody featuring cartoon versions of John Kerry and George W. Bush have been sent cease-and-desist notices from owners of the copyright to the song, which was originally penned in 1940 by Woody Guthrie. Paul LiCalsi, an attorney for Ludlow Music, which owns the Guthrie copyright, wrote JibJab Media demanding the parody be taken down and an accounting of any income generated by it be made, or else they will be sued for copyright infringement. JibJab believes the cartoon is comfortably within copyright's "fair use" parameters, in that it is a parody of the original song.
http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,64376,00.html 
http://www.jibjab.com 
http://www.eff.org/IP//20040727_jibjabthreat.pdf

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> Classifieds -- Ad Postings

> Sr Manager, Digital Media Portal Content - NEXTEL

Manage Internet content acquisition and launch for various Digital Media products.  For more information, see  Featured Advertisement.
_________________

> Major Account Manager

Consultative sales of videoconferencing, multimedia communications and network to commercial OR government clients. Proven and consistent sales success ideally in the conferencing industry - 2 years achieving quota of $1 mil+. Sales and technical experience with network, data or similar products. Excellent presentation skills and computer knowledge a must. Send resumes to bfleig@vsgi.com
_________________

> Solutions Marketing Manager

Software AG, a global leader in information integration, is seeking motivated marketing professionals to shape our go-to-market strategy. Define how our leading XML Business Integration portfolio can create business value for specific vertical market segments. Manage a cross-functional team, guiding its members toward successfully implementing and executing on your marketing plan. Experience in a solution marketing role with a technology company a plus. MBA a plus. Knowledge of XML, web services and/or service oriented integration a plus. Federal or State and Local Government experience a strong plus. Send resumes to maureen.brennan@softwareagusa.com
_________________

> e-Business Product Analyst

Airlines Reporting Corporation - Arlington, VA is looking for a product-oriented individual to build and manage the user and business requirements for web-based applications, including a customer portal and other e-Business initiatives. Must have 4+ years product support experience. For consideration, send resume with salary requirements to jobs@arccorp.com
_________________

> Program Manager

Seeking program manager with 15 plus years of progressive experience managing, directing and implementing IT projects in the government arena. Requires strong background in resource management and budget control. Excellent communication skills. Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science or Information Systems preferred. Send resumes to janej@cigital.com  Visit http://www.cigital.com/careers
_________________

> Managing Editor

Respected, profitable, Fairfax-based consumer news & advocacy site seeks Managing Editor. The successful candidate has a journalism degree (or equivalent experience) and knows or can quickly learn basic HTML (no FrontPage, Dreamweaver, etc.). Excellent pay, benefits, future. E-mail resume to jim.hood@gmail.com
_________________

> Director of Public Relations

Vocus has an opening for a Director of Public Relations. Responsibilities include press releases, media interviews, pitching stories, speaking opportunities, and product launches. Vocus is the leading provider of on-demand software for public relations and government relations. Our products help thousands of customers to plan, execute and measure communications programs. Join a company with 12yrs success celebrating its 19th straight quarter of growth. Send resumes to cshilling@vocus.com
_________________

> Database Programmer 

Judy Diamond Associates, a leading provider of employee benefits databases located near the McPherson Square Metro station, is looking for a database and Internet savvy programmer to assemble its products. Candidates must be able to learn quickly, self-start, and follow through on projects without supervision. Two years experience and proficiency with FoxPro, Microsoft Excel, and SQL preferred. Candidates must demonstrate excellent communication skills and a thorough knowledge of database and Internet technologies. Benefits include competitive salary, 401(k), and health. E-mail resume to dcole@judydiamond.com, or fax 202-728-0845 (no phone calls, please).
_________________

> Leverage the India Advantage -- For Your Data Needs

DC-based outsourcing firm String Information Services offers online data collection & telephone verification solutions from its operations centers in India. String guarantees 30%-50% cost savings, world-class quality and quick turn-around. Our marquee client list includes firms from all over North America. To learn more, and to set up a free trial, contact Prashant Kothari at 1-888-3STRING, Box 702 or marketing@stringinfo.com
_________________

> VPTC Wireless Networking Symposium

The Virginia Piedmont Technology Council (VPTC) is presenting a wireless networking conference on September 15, 2004, at the Doubletree Hotel in Charlottesville, VA. This one-day statewide event offers information, demonstrations, keynotes, and workshops dedicated to wireless networking technology - the benefits, uses, deployment, and the future of the technology. To register or reserve your exhibit space, visit http://www.vptcfallsymposium.com  Send inquiries to events@vptc.org
 
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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.

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Chief Executive Officer: Ned Sherman
VP, Marketing & Events: Tinzar Than
Editor: Mark Hefflinger

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