archives

o OpenTV Joins Growing Ranks of Firms Facing IPO-Related Class Actions
o Macrovision CD Anti-Piracy Technology Defeated
o Streaming Services Firm NaviSite To Lay Off 126 Employees
o Game Developer Take Two Raises $22.2 Million in Private Placement
o Digital Asset Management Firm Artesia to Acquire TeamToolz
o Briefly Noted: Activision - Spielberg movie, XM Satellite Radio -
STMicroelectronics, David Byrne - Microsoft, Musicmusicmusic - Koch
Entertainment, Rebel Arts, iTV privacy, Rep. Rick Boucher - DMCA, NPR -
CARP, Govt. media file security standard
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> Job Postings: Sr. Business Development, Sr. Sales Director, iTV Producer,
Director of Sales, Sr. Director of Q/A

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

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
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o OpenTV Joins Growing Ranks of Firms Facing IPO-Related Class Actions

Mountain View, Calif. -- OpenTV, a developer of software for interactive
television, has been served with three separate class action lawsuits on
behalf of shareholders related to its November 1999 initial public
offering. Mountain View-based OpenTV, several of its officers and the
investment banks of Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch are charged in the
suits, which allege the investment banks took excessive commissions and
offered extra IPO shares to some investors who then promised to buy more
at a fixed price after the IPO was completed. Similar IPO-related class
actions have been initiated against a slew of Internet companies including
IBeam, Liquid Audio, MP3.com, InterTrust and DoubleClick.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010731/datu064.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010731/phtu068.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010801/2398.html
http://www.opentv.com
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o Macrovision CD Anti-Piracy Technology Defeated

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Technology developed by digital rights management
firm Macrovision that was embedded on CDs to make them much more difficult
to "rip" and create digital copies has been defeated, U.K. news site The
Register reported Wednesday. The company's SafeAudio technology adds noise
to a CD that is not heard when played on a normal CD player but is read
when played on a PC's CD-ROM drive, and affects the quality of MP3s ripped
from the CD. Major record label BMG has said that it is currently testing
Macrovision's technology to protect commercial releases. A workaround of
the security is explained on an enthusiast site called CD Freaks.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/20766.html
http://www.cdfreaks.com/document.php3?Doc=48
http://www.macrovision.com
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o Streaming Services Firm NaviSite To Lay Off 126 Employees

Andover, Mass. - NaviSite, a provider of Web hosting and streaming media
services, said that it plans to eliminate 126 jobs, or about 25 percent of
its total workforce "as part of continuing initiatives to manage its cost
structure." In addition, seven vice presidents of the company have left
the firm. NaviSite's share price has fallen by about 98 percent over the
last year. The company is a subsidiary of Andover-based CMGI, a publicly
traded holding company whose portfolio of Internet investments has
foundered in the past year.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010731/2635.html
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o Game Developer Take Two Raises $22.2 Million in Private Placement

New York -- Take Two Interactive Software, a developer and publisher of
interactive games, said on Wednesday that it has raised $22.2 million
through a private placement of 1.3 million shares of its stock. New
York-based Take Two will use most of the proceeds to pay off $15 million
in debt owed to Finova Mezzanine Capital, as well as to pay off other
debts. The company develops games for all consoles and the PC through
subsidiaries including Rockstar Games, GodGames, TalonSoft, Joytech, DMA
Design, PopTop and Global Star.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010801/2357.html
http://www.take2games.com
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o Digital Asset Management Firm Artesia to Acquire TeamToolz

Rockville, Md. -- Artesia Technologies, a provider of digital asset
management software, said on Wednesday that it will acquire TeamToolz, a
provider of Web-based marketing and brand management software. Terms of
the transaction, which is scheduled to close in August, were not
disclosed. Maryland-based Artesia did not say whether it would maintain
the offices or current staff of San Francisco-based TeamToolz. The
acquisition of TeamToolz will let Artesia add the ability to manage, edit,
distribute and access marketing materials via the Web to its current
offering that covers video, audio, images, graphics and text.
http://www.artesia.com/pr/teamtoolz.html
http://www.teamtoolz.com
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o Briefly Noted:

(Santa Monica, Calif.) Game developer Activision announced on Wednesday
that it has been awarded the rights from Fox Interactive and DreamWorks
SKG to develop games based on the upcoming Steven Spielberg film "Minority
Report," a futuristic thriller based on a short story by sci-fi author
Philip K. Dick. The same author wrote the stories behind the films "Blade
Runner" and "Total Recall." The film is slated for release in the summer
of 2002; Santa Monica-based Activision did not say when it would release
its titles, which will be developed for PS 2, Xbox, Gamecube, PC and
handhelds.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010801/law072.html
http://www.activision.com
http://www.dreamworksfansite.com/minorityreport/

(Geneva) STMicroelectronics, a manufacturer of semiconductors, said on
Wednesday that it has received an initial order of 170,000 chipsets from
radio manufacturers that will be used in radio receivers compatible with
D.C. -based XM Satellite Radio's service.
Sony, Pioneer, Alpine and Delphi Automotive Systems are among the
companies that will make both car and home stereo XM receivers.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010801/2239.html
http://www.st.com
http://www.xmradio.com

(Redmond, Wash.) Microsoft announced on Wednesday that former Talking
Heads frontman David Byrne has contributed a song from his latest solo
album, "Look Into the Eyeball," for promotional use in the launch of
Microsoft's Windows XP operating system. The song will play as a digital
audio track -- complete with album art and lyrics -- the first time the
Windows Media Player is used after XP is installed. Microsoft also
announced that it will offer a free hour-long pre-recorded webcast of
Byrne in concert starting tomorrow.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010801/sfw045.html
http://windowsmedia.com/previewv2/xpconcerts

(New York) Musicmusicmusic, a provider of custom Web radio channels to
businesses and operator of streaming music sites, said on Wednesday that
it has reached an agreement with independent record label Koch
Entertainment. Under the terms, Koch will allow tracks from its catalog --
which includes releases from hip-hop acts RZA and KRS-One, as well as
Ringo Starr and Stabbing Westward -- to be played on-demand from its
RadioMOI.com website.
http://www.radiomoi.com
http://www.kochentertainment.com
http://www.musicmusicmusic.com

(Calabasas, Calif.) Rebel Arts, a provider of servers for massively
multiplayer online games, on Wednesday announced the launch of the
company. Calabasas-based Rebel Arts says its technology can
cost-effectively handle in excess of 100,000 simultaneous users generating
more than two million transactions per second. The company was founded by
former Walt Disney TV executive Paul Villadolid and Digital Domain
software engineer Larry Hess.
http://home.socal.rr.com/vampman/Press%20Release%208-1-01.htm
http://www.rebelarts.com

(San Francisco) CNET reported Wednesday on consumer privacy concerns being
voiced as interactive television developers begin to offer advertisers
demographic information that includes a user's location, media preferences
and purchasing habits. TiVo tracks which shows a viewer chooses to record
and then suggests shows based on viewing habits; OpenTV's software allows
targeted advertising while viewers shop or do banking from their
televisions. One concern is that set-tops will not allow viewers to
"opt-out" of receiving ads, as do a growing number of websites and
email-based marketing offerings.
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-6732232.html?tag=mn_hd

(San Francisco) TheStandard.com is currently featuring an interview with
Rep. Rick Boucher of Virginia, who is in the process of drafting a bill
that would amend the portion of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act that
makes it a crime to circumvent the anti-piracy technology included on any
copyrighted content. "Everyone agrees that we should protect copyrights,"
Boucher said, "but a law that effectively cedes total control of
copyrighted material to the copyright owners goes beyond what is necessary
to ensure fair compensation to the owner of the copyright." Boucher also
intimated that the bill could be introduced as early as this fall.
http://thestandard.com/article/0,1902,28395,00.html
http://www.house.gov/boucher

(Washington, D.C.) The Chronicle of Higher Education reported Wednesday on
the testimony of NPR's Denise Leary at the CARP (Copyright Arbitration
Royalty Panels) proceedings that began hearing witnesses on Monday in
Washington. The proceedings will determine what royalties webcasters will
pay labels and artists to stream music online. Leary argued that college
and community-funded radio stations should not have to pay the same rate
as commercial stations because they serve more of an educational interest,
and are not as economically viable as businesses.
http://chronicle.com/free/2001/08/2001080102t.htm

(San Francisco) Wired News featured an article on Wednesday that explores
the pros and cons of a government-mandated security standard for media
players, which would eliminate the need for multiple players such as those
developed by Microsoft and RealNetworks. One major concern is that such a
technology standard would ultimately have to satisfy copyright holders,
whom digital civil liberties groups say will eliminate consumer rights
that have to this point been taken for granted.
http://www.wired.com/news/mp3/0,1285,45701,00.html

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

> Roxio, Inc., Sr. Business Development Position - Silicon Valley, CA

Hey… are you a closer? Can you cut a great deal? If you answered yes to
these questions and you are an experienced dealmaker, we have the dream
job waiting for you at Roxio, Inc., the leading digital media software
company. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of the
digital media industry and is a self-starter capable of identifying,
analyzing, developing and closing new businesses opportunities. The ideal
candidate will possess a JD or MBA from a top school and have 5+ years of
deal-making experience. Send resumes to: opportunities@spencerstuart.com
http://www.roxio.com
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> Mapcom Systems, Senior Sales Director - Richmond, VA

Small and growing software company seeks Senior Sales Director with
telecom background to develop and maintain overall sales plan. Position
requires 7+ yrs. sales exp., extensive knowledge of telecom industry
products and services, as well as exceptional communication, phone and
presentation skills. Knowledge of facilities management, GIS mapping,
client billing, work order management or customer relationship software
products desired. Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree preferred.
EOE. Send resume, letter and salary history to jobs@mapcom.com
http://www.mapcom.com
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> Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment, iTV Producer - Los Angeles

Develop interactive content concepts; create product requirements,
functionality UI and design documents; manage design and technology
vendors for creating user interfaces and applications; and manage ongoing
production of interactive content. Must have experience working in the iTV
industry or experience in Internet or television production or experience
in producing games in the iTV, on-line or PC games.
Send resumes to: resumes@spe.sony.com
http://www.spe.sony.com
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> 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
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> 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

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Events/Services Postings:
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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
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> Digital Rights Management, September 20-21 - New York City

DRM for Sports, Media & Entertainment -- Learn How To Monetize & Protect
Content, Digital Assets & Intellectual Property. Featuring Forecasts, Case
Studies & Strategies from: AOL Time Warner, Sony Music, NY Times, National
Hockey League, A&E Networks, Microsoft Corporation, BET, Artisan,
Reciprocal, IBM, NASCAR Digital Entertainment and many more!
Contact dmitry@worldrg.com -- mention this ad for a special discount!
http://www.DRMconference.com
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> 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
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Copyright 2001 Digital Media Wire