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DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- October 3, 2002
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To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com
o Bill Introduced to Preserve "Fair Use" Rights on Digital Media
o Out of Money, Discmaker DataPlay Furloughs Employees
o UPS Sues Online Ad Firm Gator Over Unwanted Pop-Ups
o Report: Vivendi To List Electronic Games Unit on Nasdaq
o MTV Buys Rights to Napster Movie Based On Life of Shawn Fanning
o Digital Asset Management Firm Artesia Lands $10 Million in Third Round
> Digital Media Wire Event: "Interactive Marketing" | NYC | Oct. 15
> Digital Media Wire Event: "iTV Visions" | NYC | Nov. 14
> Featured Section: Online Grad. Certificate
o Briefly Noted: Vodafone - Vizzavi, BBC "Freeview," Epsylon Video
Enterprises - Laser-Pacific, PlayStation - House of Blues - DJ club tour,
Black Label Games - "Lord of the Rings," Atari - "The Terminator: Dawn of
Fate," MIT - online courses, Bam Entertainment - Disney Interactive, IBiz
- PDA FM tuner, Parental Advisory Program - P2P sites
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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 Introduced to Preserve "Fair Use" Rights on Digital Media
Washington -- Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Ca.) on Wednesday introduced the Digital
Choice and Freedom Act of 2002, aimed at ensuring the rights of consumers
to make personal copies of digital music, movies and books. It would also
amend 1998's Digital Millennium Copyright Act to allow the circumvention
of copy-controls on digital devices for lawful, protected purposes. The
bill is intended to combat several Hollywood-backed pieces of legislation
that would put government-mandated copy-protection in digital devices such
as TVs, PCs and MP3 players and strip away the ability to make copies
enjoyed with similar analog devices. "We need innovative technologies to
help the consumer stay within the limits of the law and to protect the
rights of copyright holders. I believe Silicon Valley is poised to work
with consumers and the entertainment industry to create the needed balance
for the digital world," said Lofgren, in a statement. The bill was lauded
by the Consumer Electronics Association and a number of free-speech
advocacy groups.
http://www.house.gov/lofgren/press/107press/021002_release.htm
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/4193841.htm
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/10/03/BU220831.DTL&type=business
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-960531.html?tag=cd_mh
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o Out of Money, Discmaker DataPlay Furloughs Employees
Boulder, Colo. -- DataPlay, a developer of quarter-sized recordable
optical discs on which several record labels had planned to release
pre-recorded albums, has furloughed all employees and shut down
temporarily as it seeks more funding, CNET News.com reported. Boulder,
Colo.-based DataPlay's senior vice president of business and marketing,
Todd Oseth, told News.com the company needs $40-$50 million to complete
its next phase of operations. "It's like having a race car come to the
start line without any fuel," said Oseth. The company has raised a total
of $120 million to date from investors including Universal Music Group,
Toshiba, Samsung, Eastman Kodak, Olympus, Intel and musician David Crosby.
The first of DataPlay's products have already appeared on the market, but
partner record labels and a number of manufacturers have yet to introduce
products based on the disc format.
http://news.com.com/2100-1040-960514.html?tag=cd_mh
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/bpihw/20021001/en_bpihw/dataplay_poised_to_close_doors
http://www.dataplay.com
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o UPS Sues Online Ad Firm Gator Over Unwanted Pop-Ups
Redwood City, Calif. -- Gator, a provider of ad technology that monitors
Web surfing and delivers pop-up ads of competitors' products when users
are browsing, has been sued by parcel delivery company UPS. The suit seeks
an injunction to stop Gator from delivering unauthorized pop-up ads to
visitors of the UPS web site. Some of the unwanted ads reportedly have
included promotions from UPS' main competitor, FedEx. "We don't like it
when a customer goes to our site to track a package and ends up getting
pop-ups for online psychics or dating services," a UPS spokesman told the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Redwood City, Calif.-based Gator was ordered
this summer by a judge to temporarily cease delivering ads to visitors to
sites operated by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Dow Jones and a
number of other publishers.
http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/business/1002/02ups.html
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-960535.html?tag=cd_mh
http://www.gator.com
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o Report: Vivendi To List Electronic Games Unit on Nasdaq
Paris -- With the electronic gaming sector one of the few bright spots in
the technology sector, the newspaper Les Echos reported on Thursday that
media giant Vivendi Universal will list its video games unit -- Vivendi
Universal Games -- on the Nasdaq early next year in hopes of raising $800
million. The newspaper cited sources familiar with the plan as saying
that, after the listing, Vivendi would retain between 51 and 60 percent of
the games unit, whose value is estimated at between $1.5 billion and $2.5
billion. The sale is aimed at helping Vivendi scale down its debt of $16.8
billion.
http://bourse.lesechos.fr/BOURSE/fr/ch/hightec/accueil.htm
http://www.vugames.com
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o MTV Buys Rights to Napster Movie Based On Life of Shawn Fanning
Los Angeles -- MTV Networks announced that it has purchased the exclusive
rights to the life story of Napster founder Shawn Fanning, Reuters
reported. Fanning has signed on to collaborate on the screenplay and
executive produce the soundtrack for the film, currently planned for
release in 2003-2004. He may also star as himself in the as yet untitled
project, which will be written and directed by Alex Winter. "Anything is
possible and the fact that he may star as himself hasn't been ruled out,"
an MTV spokeswoman told Reuters.
http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=search&StoryID=1527931
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o Digital Asset Management Firm Artesia Lands $10 Million in Third Round
Rockville, Md. -- Artesia Technologies, a maker of digital asset
management products, said on Thursday that it has secured $10 million in
its third round of funding from Warburg Pincus, with more funds expected
from previous investors in an extension of the round later this month. The
company said that it will use the funds for possible future acquisitions,
as it continues on its path toward break-even profitability by the end of
this year. Artesia has now raised $50 million to date. The company's
technology is used by media firms including DreamWorks, The FeedRoom, HBO,
Simon & Schuster and Sony Music to manage their content assets.
http://www.newsalert.com/bin/story?StoryId=CpzVaWeSbmdiWndCXntC
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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
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:
(London) Vodafone, Europe's largest mobile network operator, said it would
cut 90 jobs at Vizzavi, the mobile Internet portal business it took over
in August from Vivendi Universal. Vodafone also said it would phase out
the Vizzavi brand and replace it with the "Vodafone Live!" name for
information and content services. Vodafone paid cash-starved Vivendi
$140.5 million for its 50 percent stake in Vizzavi.
http://www.vodafone.com/media/111.mc?article_id=2931
http://www.vizzavi.net
(London) The BBC will launch a new digital television service called
"Freeview" on October 30, the public broadcaster announced on Thursday.
The BBC has teamed up with Rupert Murdoch's BSkyB to offer up to 30
free-to-air digital TV channels as well as interactivity and radio
services. The new service is intended to help the U.K. become the world's
first fully-digital country. Sixty percent of British households have not
yet made the switch to digital TV.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2295625.stm
(Los Angeles) Epsylon Video Enterprises, a developer of digital video
delivery technology, announced on Thursday that it will partner with
Laser-Pacific Media Corp., a provider of post-production services for film
and television, to jointly develop a system for the transmission of
digitized and encrypted movie and TV production dailies over the Internet.
The digital daily system will allow producers, directors, and other
creative and executive participants in the production process to view
footage for approval and comment the same day of shooting. The system will
initially be available to Laser-Pacific customers but will eventually be
available elsewhere.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/021003/30100_1.html
http://www.epsylonvideo.com
http://www.laserpacific.com
(Foster City, Calif.) Sony Computer Entertainment America announced on
Thursday that it has partnered with the House of Blues to sponsor a
nationwide DJ club tour "in an effort to further immerse the PlayStation
brand in the everyday lifestyle of the gaming community." Visuals from
PlayStation 2 video games will be projected at venues where DJs including
Bad Boy Bill, Tall Paul, Christopher Lawrence and DJ Dan will perform on
the "Dual Play" tour.
http://www.hob.com/playstation2
(Los Angeles) Black Label Games, a game developer and unit of Vivendi
Universal Publishing, said on Thursday that it has shipped "The Lord of
the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" for Microsoft's Xbox console and
Nintendo's Game Boy Advance handheld. The titles come as a result of
Vivendi's licensing agreement with Tolkien Enterprises. Seattle-based game
developer WXP created the Xbox version, while U.K.-based Pocket Studios
created the Game Boy Advance title. Los Angeles-based Black Label said
PlayStation 2 and PC versions are due for release later this month.
http://www.vugames.com
http://www.wxp3d.com
http://www.pocket-studios.com
(Los Angeles) Game developer Atari on Thursday shipped "The Terminator:
Dawn of Fate," based on the popular sci-fi movie, for Microsoft's Xbox.
The title was developed by Infogrames' Paradigm Entertainment, and is a
prequel telling the story of what happened before SkyNet sent the first
Terminator back in time. "The Terminator: Dawn of Fate" is exciting for
gamers and movie buffs alike, because it doesn't just retell the story of
the film, it tells a new story and adds unseen elements to the Terminator
universe," said Jean-Philippe Agati, senior vice president and head of
Infogrames' Los Angeles studio.
http://www.pe-i.com
http://www.terminator-game.com
(Cambridge, Mass.) In an effort to advance technology education while
enhancing the university's worldwide image, the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology has launched a free website that contains the course materials
for almost 40 of its courses in 16 academic departments and the Sloan
School of Management. This is the first phase of MIT's new OpenCourseWare
site, which was first announced in 2000. The site includes courses in
architecture, algebra, electrical engineering, computer science and other
fields.
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/nr/2002/ocw.html
(San Jose, Calif.) Video game publisher and developer Bam Entertainment
said on Thursday it has signed an agreement to publish three Disney
Interactive titles for Sony PlayStation in North America. San Jose,
Calif.-based Bam will publish "Winnie the Pooh Preschool," "Winnie the
Pooh Kindergarten" and "My Disney Kitchen" for Disney this month.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/021003/sfth035_1.html
http://www.disneyinteractive.com
http://www.bam4fun.com
(Phoenix) IBiz, a manufacturer of accessories for PDAs, announced on
Thursday it has developed a compact flash card that functions as an FM
radio tuner for the portable devices. The Pocket Radio Card offers 18
station presets, search and seek functions and the ability to output the
signal to either headphones or external speakers.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/021003/lath021_1.html
http://www.ibizcorp.com/pocketradio.html
(Washington) Billboard.com reported that at a recent House hearing on the
music industry's parental advisory stickering program for albums with
explicit lyrics, Recording Industry of America (RIAA) CEO Hilary Rosen
said the program is being undermined by peer-to-peer file-sharing
services. Rosen said that the program, which was recently criticized by
Congress as weak compared to video game and movie rating labels, is "being
diluted by peer-to-peer networks," as downloads do not carry the warning
labels. Rosen also quoted data that indicated "70 percent of 12- to
18-year-olds use P2P services, and that age group is 3.5 times more likely
to go to a P2P site than to a record store."
http://www.billboard.com/billboard/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1730077
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CLASSIFIEDS - JOBS
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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
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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.
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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
====================
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CLASSIFIEDS - MARKETPLACE
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To Post Marketplace:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplacepostingpage.htm
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Copyright 2002 Digital Media Wire, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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