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DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- October 1, 2002
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To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com
o Bill That Would Have Delayed Webcast Royalties Pulled From House Vote
o Interactive TV Firm WorldGate Announces Layoffs, New CFO
o Verance Drops Patent Infringement, Antitrust Lawsuit Against Macrovision
o Spoken-Word Audio Content Distributor MediaBay Gets $1.5 Million
o Video Game Publisher Jaleco Merges With Game Developer VR1
> Digital Media Wire Event: "Interactive Marketing" | NYC | Oct. 15
> Digital Media Wire Event: "iTV Visions" | NYC | Nov. 14
> Featured Section: Streaming Media East, Online Grad. Certificate
o Briefly Noted: "Fritz's Hit List," XM Satellite Radio, AOL Games' First
Play, Garageband Records, BMG Killer Tracks - Pulse, Epic Records -
ClubShakira.com, E.Digital - WeDigMusic.com, Yahoo - InterActual
Technologies, TDK Mediactive - "Spy vs. Spy," TiVo - holiday rebates,
RealNetworks - ATI Technologies, Muze, Movie studios - "planted" online
chatters
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> Jobs: VP Product Mgmt., Senior Contract Mgr., VP of Media
> Events
> Marketplace
Full Classifieds 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
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o Bill That Would Have Delayed Webcast Royalties Pulled From House Vote
Washington -- A bill scheduled to come before a House vote on Tuesday,
which if passed would have given webcasters a six-month reprieve on paying
royalties established by the Librarian of Congress for streaming music
online, has been pulled from the schedule. Radio and Internet Newsletter
reported that sources said H.R. 5469 was pulled because negotiations
between small webcasters and the record industry over rates may yield
results by this Friday. In addition, the prospective deal -- which would
trump the Librarian of Congress' rate and in effect become the new law --
is understood to be a rate based on a percentage of webcasters' revenues.
The bill, originally introduced by House Judiciary Committee Chairman
James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), was intended to delay the scheduled Oct. 20
imposing of royalty rates while federal appeals of the Librarian of
Congress' decision from both webcasters and the recording industry made
their way through the courts.
http://www.kurthanson.com
http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=internetnews&StoryID=1505989
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o Interactive TV Firm WorldGate Announces Layoffs, New CFO
Trevose, Pa. -- WorldGate, a provider of interactive TV software and
services, has announced a number of organizational changes aimed at
reducing costs, which include laying off 50 employees and transferring an
undisclosed number of others to TVGateway, its joint venture with several
cable TV operators. The company also appointed Joel Boyarski, formerly
vice president and general manager at TVGateway, as its new chief
financial officer. "These activities are being implemented to address the
continuing uncertainties in the economy as well as the depressed capital
spending within the telecommunication and cable sectors," the company said
in a statement. Pennsylvania-based WorldGate expects the changes to leave
it with enough cash to fund operations for at least the next four
quarters.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020930/phm072_1.html
http://www.wgate.com
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o Verance Drops Patent Infringement, Antitrust Lawsuit Against Macrovision
Santa Clara, Calif. -- Macrovision, a provider of copy-protection
technology for physical and digital media, announced on Tuesday that
digital watermarking developer Verance has dropped its patent infringement
and antitrust claims against the company. Verance sued Santa Clara,
Calif.-based Macrovision as a third party defendant for its involvement
with Video Watermarking Companies, a group of seven companies that
submitted technology to a DVD standards board for possible inclusion on
DVDs. "We believed all along this case would be successfully resolved,"
said Macrovision president and CEO Bill Krepick. "With the dismissal of
this litigation, Macrovision can focus its efforts more directly on
providing the best-of-breed digital video watermarking solutions to the
entertainment industry to prevent unauthorized use of copyrighted video
content."
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/021001/10361_1.html
http://www.macrovision.com
http://www.verance.com
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o Spoken-Word Audio Content Distributor MediaBay Gets $1.5 Million
Cedar Knolls, N.J. -- MediaBay, a distributor of spoken-word content via
physical and digital channels, announced on Tuesday that it has received
an investment of $1.5 million from a company owned by MediaBay chairman
Norton Herrick. The investment puts the total investment by Herrick and
family in the company at approximately $20 million. New Jersey-based
MediaBay's content library includes over 60,000 classic radio programs,
3,500 film and television programs and thousands of audiobooks, which it
offers on CD as well as downloads on its website. The company will use the
funds to expand marketing efforts for its Audio Book Club business and new
continuity programs.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/021001/nytu018a_1.html
http://www.mediabay.com
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o Video Game Publisher Jaleco Merges With Game Developer VR1
Buffalo, N.Y. -- Video game publisher Jaleco USA, a subsidiary of PCCW
Japan, announced on Tuesday that it has merged with Boulder, Colo.-based
game developer VR1 to form a new company, Jaleco Entertainment. Financial
terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The new company will be based
in Buffalo, N.Y., with European headquarters in London and developmental
studios around the world. Jaleco Entertainment will introduce nine titles
on six different platforms in the fourth quarter of this year, including
"Trailer Park Tycoon" and "Fighter Ace 3.5."
http://www.jaleco.com/press_releases/full_pr/2002/100102_jaleco.html
http://www.vr1.com
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EVENT -- DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE Presents...
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Interactive Marketing: Where Success Lies Now and in the Future
New York City | Tues. October 15 | 6:00-9:00 PM
Produced with the New York New Media Association, in association with the
Interactive Advertising Bureau.
Sponsors: KMZ Rosenman | NYNMA | IAB
This executive forum brings together leaders from companies such as MSN,
Google, About.com, GoldPocket Interactive and others that are succeeding
in online media. Hear firsthand the strategies, tactics and technologies
that are working today and get a glimpse what is in store for the future.
For more information and to register:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events/imarketing_101502.htm
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iTV Visions: Technology Transforming Entertainment
New York City | Thurs. November 14 | 1:30-7:30 PM
In association with the Interactive Television Alliance
Sponsors: Etronica | ITA | Filter Media | AIM
This half-day executive forum will present views on the future of
entertainment based on next generation interactive television technologies
emerging today. Thought leaders from leading edge companies that are
driving these technologies into the marketplace will gather to show how
entertainment is on the verge of yet another radical transformation.
For more information and to register:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events/itv_visions_111902.htm
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==================
FEATURED SECTION
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Featured Section posting at:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/featuredpostingpage.htm
STREAMING MEDIA EAST 2002: Javits Convention Center, NY
Conference: September 30 - October 3
Exhibition: October 1 - 3
If you're in New York this week, visit the Streaming Media East and
Internet World Fall Exhibitions for FREE. Download your FREE Pass at:
http://www.streamingmedia.com/east/registration.asp
Full information is available at: http://www.streamingmedia.com/east
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Announcing a new online training program just for e-commerce managers!
"Managing the Digital Enterprise" is a new online graduate certificate
program offered by the U. of Bridgeport (CT). Specifically for working
adults, the 4 courses required for the Certificate are offered online,
available 24/7, and can be accessed from anywhere, anytime. The courses
for this program lead to an understanding of the business, management, &
technical issues that drive e-commerce and the digital economy as a whole.
More info: ubonline@bridgeport.edu or call 800-470-7307.
http://www.bridgeport.edu/scps/managdigital.htm
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Briefly Noted:
(Princeton, N.J.) Princeton researcher Edward Felten has launched a
section on his personal website to bring attention to commonplace devices
that would likely have to include government-mandated copyright protection
technology if current digital legislation is passed. "Fritz's Hit List,"
dubbed after Sen. Fritz Hollings (D-S.C.), who introduced the Consumer
Broadband and Digital Television Promotion Act (CBDTPA), lists devices
including electronic singing fish ("Badmouth Billy Bass,") "Shop With Me
Barbie" and baby monitors as devices that would qualify as a "digital
media device" under the legislation and require copy-protection.
http://www.freedom-to-tinker.com/archives/cat_fritzs_hit_list.html
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-960317.html?tag=cd_mh
(Washington) XM Satellite Radio, a provider of satellite-delivered digital
radio programming, on Tuesday reported that it now has 201,500 total
subscribers to its service. The company said it is on track to hit its
goal of 350,000 subscribers by the end of the year. Washington-based XM
also announced a new standalone boombox satellite receiver, the Delphi XM
SkyFi, which will begin selling at retail this month for under $200.
Electronics manufacturer Delphi said it will produce between 120,000 and
150,000 SkyFi receivers by year's end.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/021001/dctu027_1.html
http://www.xmradio.com
(New York) America Online on Tuesday launched AOL Games' First Play, a
service offering previews and special offers on video games that have not
yet been released. First Play will offer playable demos of video games and
"first look" video content such as game play movies and game images. In
addition, the program will include pre-ordering incentives for upcoming
game releases including discounts, premiums and early delivery. The first
game featured on First Play is developer Electronic Arts' unreleased "Need
For Speed - Top Speed."
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/021001/12389_1.html
(San Francisco) Garageband Records on Tuesday announced that it will waive
the Internet-only royalty fees imposed on webcasters by the Digital
Millennium Copyright Act for its roster of 50,000 independent artists.
Webcasters streaming songs from Garageband artists must still pay
royalties to performing rights organizations such as ASCAP or BMI for use
of the songs. The company said the service comes "in the context of a
legislative debate over high royalty rates on Internet radio stations." In
addition, San Francisco-based Garageband will offer a music-matching
feature on its site so webcasters can easily find the best content for
their audience.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/222742118&ticker=
http://www.garageband.com
(San Francisco) Killer Tracks, a unit of record label BMG that provides
production music, announced on Tuesday that much of its 20,000-plus music
and sound effects library is now available for use online. The company
partnered with San Francisco-based Pulse, a provider of audio software, to
enable the Killer Sonifier service, which lets advertisers and marketers
insert sound effects into their websites. Annual licenses for the service
start at $900.
http://www.killertracks.com
http://www.killersonifier.com
http://www.pulse3d.com
(New York) Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, on
Tuesday launched an online fan club for recording artist Shakira.
ClubShakira.com will offer advance concert ticket sales, full-length bonus
audio and video, unreleased photos, Shakira merchandise, contests and
other community features. Membership to the site costs $29.95 in the U.S.
and $34.95 outside of the U.S.
http://www.epicrecords.com
http://www.clubshakira.com
(San Diego) Consumer electronics firm E.Digital has launched a digital
music entertainment site, WeDigMusic.com, to complement its line of
digital audio players. The site is currently offering free music downloads
in MP3 format, but will eventually charge $10 a year for unlimited
downloads. Those purchasing electronics from San Diego-based E.Digital
will also receive a free one-year subscription to the service. The site
features content from partners including Pressplay, MP3.com, Liquid Audio
and EMusic.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020930/300496_1.html
http://www.wedigmusic.com
(Sunnyvale, Calif.) Yahoo announced on Tuesday that it has expanded the
DVD section of its Yahoo Movies site. The company has licensed DVD news
and information content from DVDfile.com, owned by Los Angeles-based
InterActual Technologies, for the site. The expanded site promises
information on every DVD in current distribution, release schedules, daily
news and reviews from DVDfile.com and direct links to purchase DVDs at
Yahoo Shopping.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/021001/12076_1.html
http://www.interactual.com
http://www.dvdfile.com
http://movies.yahoo.com/dvd
(Westlake Village, Calif.) Video game developer TDK Mediactive, which is
majority-owned by storage media manufacturer TDK, announced on Tuesday a
licensing agreement with E.C. Publications, publisher of MAD Magazine.
Under the agreement, Westlake Village, Calif.-based TDK Mediactive will
create titles based on the magazine's "Spy vs. Spy" cartoon strip for
video game console systems.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/021001/10030_1.html
http://www.tdk-mediactive.com
http://www.dccomics.com/mad/home/home.htm
(San Jose, Calif.) Personal video recorder manufacturer TiVo announced on
Tuesday that it has increased the recording capacity of its TiVo Series2
to 80 hours, and has instituted a $50 rebate offer on all TiVo Series2
models. The holiday shopping promotion also includes rebates for TiVo
Series2 video recorders with 60- and 40-hour capacities.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/021001/sftu047_1.html
http://www.tivo.com
(Seattle) RealNetworks, a provider of digital media delivery technologies,
said on Tuesday it has partnered with ATI Technologies, which manufactures
graphics and video cards for PC and Mac. Canada-based ATI will distribute
an optimized RealOne Player with its Radeon 9000 product family, and will
also promote Seattle-based RealNetworks RealOne SuperPass content
subscription service with its ATI graphics cards.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/021001/sftu056_1.html
http://www.realnetworks.com
http://www.ati.com
(New York) Muze, a provider of streaming song samples and informational
databases on music, movies, books and video games, announced that it has
named company co-founder and former executive vice-president Paul Zullo as
its new president and CEO.
http://www.muze.com
(Los Angeles) The Los Angeles Times on Tuesday reported on a guerilla
marketing trend where some movie studios have allegedly "planted"
promotions for upcoming films on movie fan site chat rooms, posing as
ordinary fans excited about a particular movie. "The studios are using our
site to hype movies without paying for advertising. After all, what's the
difference between paying people to pretend to be film fans Web sites
across the country and paying them to pretend to be happy customers in a
testimonial TV commercial," Efilmcritic.com operator Chris Parry told The
Times. Although Parry and other site owners identified IP addresses owned
by studios as the senders of some of these postings, no studios would
admit to the practice for the article. "No one here is allowed to pose as
a fan," said New Line Cinema interactive marketing chief Gordon Paddison.
http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-et-gold1oct01001427,0,4886305.story?coll=la%2Dheadlines%2Dtechnology
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===================
CLASSIFIEDS - JOBS
===================
To Post Jobs: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobpostingpage.htm
VP Product Management - Key Management Team Member Needed
Seeking a VP of Product Management for new healthcare ASP venture. This
position will serve as the company's domain application expert and product
visionary. Extensive healthcare and claims adjudication knowledge is
required. Verbal, written, and presentation skills are key. The VP will
serve as the company's product champion, guiding all product enhancements
and new features based on market need and legislative requirements such as
HIPAA. VA based, equity opportunity. Send resumes and inquiries to
itoff@erols.com
_____________________________________________
Senior Contract Manager - Google - Mountain View, CA
Google is seeking an experienced contract negotiator. Responsibilities
include daily review of standard contracts, limited authority to draft
contractual terms and conditions for licenses and advertising services
agreements, intensive in-house client interaction. Communicate company
policies and approval processes for contract changes to sales
professionals. 3-5 years of contract negotiation. Resume to
jobs@google.com or fax (650) 618-1796. Please include position.
_____________________________________________
VP Media - Mosaic - Marina Del Rey, CA
Mosaic Data Solutions is a Canadian Based Fortune 500 Marketing Firm and
the World's leading Email Marketing Firm and provider of consumer data
products. We seek a VP of Media who will be responsible for selling Mosaic
Data Solutions (CustomOffers) own proprietary products to consumers via
Banners, Pops and Keyword purchases strategically placed around the
Internet. For immediate consideration, contact Thomas Geraci at:
tgeraci@mosaicdatasolutions.com
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====================
CLASSIFIEDS - EVENTS
====================
To Post Events: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/eventpostingpage.htm
_____________________________________________
==========================
CLASSIFIEDS - MARKETPLACE
==========================
To Post Marketplace:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplacepostingpage.htm
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Digital Media Wire, Inc. leverages its integrated media network to provide
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Editor: Mark Hefflinger
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Copyright 2002 Digital Media Wire, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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