archives

o Yahoo, MSN, AOL Offer Website Ratings System for Parents
o Bertelsmann Licenses Napster Technology, Minus Peer-to-Peer Capability
o Game Developer Activision Withdraws 6 Million Share Public Offering
o Nasdaq Delists Bankrupt Broadband Provider Excite@Home
o Games Firm Electronic Arts to Lay Off One-Third from Online Division
o CNET: ABC.com Lays Off 85% of Staff
o Wireless Digital Audio Firm HitHive Shuts Down
o Liquid Audio Investor Offers $67.8 Million for Company
o E-Book Technology Firm NetLibrary Seeking Buyer, Bridge Loan
o Online Games Technology Firm Artifact Entertainment Raises $4.5 Million
o Macrovision Acquires Technology Assets From AudioSoft, MediaDNA
o Briefly Noted: Senate hearing - postponement, Apple iPod, RealNetworks -
content providers, Concurrent Computer Corp. - EnReach Technology,
MusicNet, Tomen Mediacom - NCube, MovieTickets.com - Knight Ridder
Digital, Memorex, SegaNet
_____________________________________________

> Job Postings: Web Research Assistant, Web Designer,
Vice President of Sales

> Events/Services: "FREE Digital Asset Management Seminar," "CTAM
Broadband Opportunity Conference," "Office Space - L.A.,"
"SHORTSPAN Film & Video Festival, OCTOBER DATES," "Digital Media
Revolution in the Americas"

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 Yahoo, MSN, AOL Offer Website Ratings System for Parents

Washington, D.C. -- Three of the most-visited Web destinations have agreed
to provide ratings of their websites as a way to offer parents the ability
to screen the content their children access. Yahoo, Microsoft's MSN and
AOL will use a ratings system developed by the Internet Content Rating
Association (ICRA), a non-profit group, to provide a number rating for Web
pages and other services. Topics covered include language used on the
site, chat, nudity and sexual content, violence, gambling, drugs, tobacco
and alcohol. It is free to both have a site rated and to use the filtering
software, which will work with Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Netscape and
MicroSystem's Cyber Patrol Software. Parents will have to download and
install the software on their PC in order to have the sites they choose
blocked. Any site can submit itself for rating by filling out a
questionnaire about its Internet content, and then receive a rating from
the ICRA that is inserted as a meta tag on the author's site.
http://www.itstrategies.com/icra/faq.htm
http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,47798,00.html
_____________________________________________

o Bertelsmann Licenses Napster Technology, Minus Peer-to-Peer Capability

Redwood City, Calif. -- Bertelsmann eCommerce Group (BeCG) said on Tuesday
that it has licensed Napster's new secure technology -- without
peer-to-peer file-sharing capability -- for use as a "core building block"
of its content distribution system. It will also give Napster's new
platform distribution across all of BeMusic, BeCG's online and offline
music and entertainment service that consists of online retailer CDNow,
BMG Direct, the company's mail order record club, and Myplay, the digital
locker service BeCG acquired in May for a reported $30 million. The
technology licensed from Napster includes features like instant messaging,
hot lists, chat, search functionality and playlist and music library
retrieval capabilities. BeMusic's services will include direct download,
streaming, digital locker services, club memberships, subscription
services and online retail.
http://search.prnmedia.com/servlet/pressroomsrv?pressid=219313&detail=story
_____________________________________________

o Game Developer Activision Withdraws 6 Million Share Public Offering

Santa Monica, Calif. -- Activision, a video game developer and publisher,
announced on Tuesday that it will postpone its proposed public offering of
six million shares, citing "the current market conditions and volatility
resulting from recent events." Activision CEO Robert A. Kotick reaffirmed
the company's position in a statement. "With $295 million of shareholders
equity, $122 million of cash and only $6 million of debt as of September
30, 2001, Activision is in a very liquid and strong financial position,"
said Kotick.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011023/latu073_1.html
http://www.activision.com
_____________________________________________

o Nasdaq Delists Bankrupt Broadband Provider Excite@Home

Redwood City, Calif. -- Excite@Home, a provider of high-speed, cable
modem-based Internet access services, has been delisted from the Nasdaq
National Market. The company, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
protection in September, will now trade on the OTC Bulletin Board. CNET
reported Tuesday on another challenge to AT&T's $307 million bid for
Excite@Home's assets, this time from a group of shareholders led by former
@Home cable operations manager Bob Garrity. The group is drafting its own
plan for reorganization of the company.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011023/sftu095_1.html
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1004-200-7619126.html?tag=mn_hd
_____________________________________________

o Electronic Arts to Lay Off One-Third from Online Division

Los Angeles -- Game developer Electronic Arts will lay off about one-third
of the staff from its online division, or between 200 and 250 employees,
Reuters reported on Tuesday. The layoffs are part of efforts by the
company to maintain its projection that the unit would be profitable by
2003. "In order to match our schedule for profitability, we need to focus
on the projects we believe have the greatest revenue potential," John
Riccitiello, Electronic Arts' president and chief operating officer, said
in an internal memo to staff obtained by Reuters. Redwood City-based
Electronic Arts recently said it would cease distributing its much-hyped
online game "Majestic" on the Internet; instead, the game will be sold in
stores on CD-ROM. CNET reported on Tuesday that HBO series "The Sopranos"
star Joe Pantoliano -- who plays Ralph Cifaretto on the show -- will play
a TV news reporter in an upcoming installment of Majestic.
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20011023/wr/tech_electronicarts_layoffs_dc_1.html
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-200-7618235.html?tag=cdshrt
http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/insidersguide/cast/joepantolianobio.shtml
http://www.ea.com
_____________________________________________

o CNET: ABC.com Lays Off 85% of Staff

New York -- The Walt Disney Company said on Tuesday that it has laid off
an undisclosed number of employees from its ABC.com online news operation.
CNET reported that an ABC.com employee estimated that the company has laid
off 85 percent of its workforce. "It's cost-cutting, and we felt that,
looking at ABC.com, it was an area where we could still maintain a robust
site but...with a smaller staff," Disney spokeswoman Kim Kerscher told
CNET.
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-7617147.html?tag=cdshrt
http://www.abc.com
_____________________________________________

o Wireless Digital Audio Firm HitHive Shuts Down

Seattle -- HitHive, a developer of technology to download MP3s to devices
over wireless connections, has shut down and laid off all 24 employees,
according to a report in The Seattle Times. The company had secured a
licensing deal with major label EMI Recorded Music to contribute content
to the service; it also partnered with Sprint PCS to offer the service to
its customers. The Times reported that HitHive is still negotiating with
Sprint PCS to continue offering the service.
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis/web/vortex/display?slug=
bizbriefs20&date=20011020&query=hithive
http://www.hithive.com
_____________________________________________

o Liquid Audio Investor Offers $67.8 Million for Company

Redwood City, Calif. -- Reuters reported on Tuesday that Liquid Audio
investor Steel Partners II has made a bid of $67.8 million to acquire the
company, saying that poor management at the digital music distribution
technology firm is hurting its investment. "We believe that there is
significant, but rapidly diminishing value inherent in the business and
assets of Liquid Audio despite the company's poor operating performance
and declining share price," Steel Partners wrote in a letter to Liquid
Audio. The company said it has not yet received the letter for review. New
York-based Steel Partners previously sent a letter to the company on Sept.
10, admonishing management for having "adopted a business strategy doomed
to failure."
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20011022/wr/tech_liquidaudio_dc_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010910/102583_1.html
http://www.liquidaudio.com
_____________________________________________

o E-Book Technology Firm NetLibrary Seeking Buyer, Bridge Loan

Boulder, Colo. -- NetLibrary, a provider of e-books and Internet-based
content management services for libraries, said it is currently seeking a
buyer and will need to obtain bridge financing in order to continue
operations, VentureWire reported on Tuesday. Colorado-based NetLibrary
provides e-book storage and management services to a network of university
presses and institutional libraries. The company raised a $70 million
third round of funding in October 1999, and to date has raised over $85
million from investors including Houghton Mifflin, McGraw-Hill and Liberty
Digital.
http://www.netlibrary.com
http://www.venturewire.com
_____________________________________________

o Online Games Technology Firm Artifact Entertainment Raises $4.5 Million

Mesa, Ariz. -- Artifact Entertainment, a developer of technology for
online games, announced on Tuesday that it has raised $4.5 million in its
second round of funding, led by Forrest Binkley and Brown and online games
company NCSoft. Arizona-based Artifact develops massively multiplayer
online games technology and content. As part of a separate agreement,
NCSoft has agreed to publish "Horizons," a subscription-based online game
created by Artifact, in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and
China. Artifiact will use the funds to finish development of its online
game engine software and its upcoming "Horizons" title, as well as for
working capital. The company said it will begin its next financing round
in the first quarter of 2002, which Artifact expects will enable it to
bring its products to market and break even.
http://www.artifact-entertainment.com
_____________________________________________

o Macrovision Acquires Technology Assets From AudioSoft, MediaDNA

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Macrovision, a developer of digital rights management
technologies, announced on Tuesday that it has acquired technology assets
and patents from AudioSoft, a developer of digital royalty reporting
technology, as well as digital rights management technology from MediaDNA.
Financial terms of the transactions were not disclosed. The technology
acquired from San Francisco-based AudioSoft provides real-time feedback
and customized reports on Internet music usage for record labels,
copyright collection societies, online music retailers and webcasters. A
patent acquired as part of the transaction relates to "a method for
operating a computer network to allow for accounting of usage rights for
audio, video, and other works in digital formats and for determining usage
fees such as copyright royalties." From La Jolla-based Media DNA,
Macrovision acquired technology that binds usage rules and rights to
individual pieces of digital content, and a patent covering "a method and
system for securely managing and controlling usage of a data object, such
as audio or video content or a software application."
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/011023/230464_1.html
http://www.audiosoft.com
http://www.mediadna.com
http://www.macrovision.com
_____________________________________________

o Briefly Noted:

(Washington, D.C.) A U.S. Senate hearing entitled "Promoting Broadband:
Securing Content and Accelerating the Transition to Digital Television"
that was scheduled to be held on Thursday has been postponed while offices
continue to be cleared of any possible anthrax bacteria, Webnoize reported
on Tuesday. The hearing, featuring technology and entertainment
executives, is set to discuss Sen. Ernest Hollings' proposed bill that
would put government-mandated copyright protection software in all
consumer electronic devices.
http://news.webnoize.com
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/legis_legis_committees.html

(Cupertino, Calif.) Apple on Tuesday introduced a portable music player,
the iPod, which holds 5 GB of music -- or 1,000 songs. The iPod can
automatically sync with and download all songs and playlists stored on a
Mac when connected via a high-speed FireWire port. The $399 device can
also download an entire CD in less than 10 seconds, and features a 10-hour
lithium battery that can recharge itself while music is being transferred.
http://www.apple.com/ipod/
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-200-7627927.html?tag=mn_hd

(Seattle) Media delivery provider RealNetworks on Tuesday announced a list
of twenty content partners for paying subscribers to its RealOne service.
The company said the core content of the service will come from
ABCNews.com, allFOOD, Animal Channel, CBS Survivor insider, CNET Networks, CNN, E! Online and E! Entertainment Television, FoxSports.com, MediaBay, MLB Advanced Media, NBA, On24, RadioAMP, The Wall Street Journal Online and The Weather Channel. The RealOne service will also include access to MusicNet, a digital music download and streaming service with songs from artists on major labels Warner Music Group, BMG Entertainment, EMI
Recorded Music, and Zomba. Seattle-based RealNetworks said the service
will launch in November.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011023/sftu097_1.html

(Atlanta) Video-on-demand technology developer Concurrent Computer Corp.
announced on Tuesday an alliance with EnReach Technology, a provider of
IP-based interactive TV software. Under the terms of the agreement, the
companies will combine their technologies into a single offering that
includes set-top boxes, Atlanta-based Concurrent's video-on-demand server
technology and Alviso, Calif.-based EnReach's set-top box operating system
and other software. To date, EnReach has deployed 25 million devices
containing its software, and Concurrent has deployed its system in 20 U.S.
markets to an audience of over 1 million.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/011023/230212_1.html
http://www.ccur.com
http://www.enreach.com

(New York) MusicNet the digital music subscription service joint venture
between RealNetworks and AOL, Warner Music Group, BMG Entertainment, EMI Recorded Music, and Zomba, announced on Tuesday that it has named former MTV executive Alan McGlade as company president and CEO. Previously,
McGlade was president and CEO of "The Box," MTV Networks' interactive
music television network that was eventually merged with MTV2. MusicNet
will be headquartered in New York, while technology development and
operations teams will remain in RealNetworks' Seattle headquarters.
http://search.prnmedia.com/servlet/pressroomsrv?pressid=219134&detail=story
http://www.musicnet.com

(Tokyo) Japanese cable TV operator Tomen Mediacom announced on Tuesday
that it has partnered with NCube, a provider of broadband streaming media
services, to deploy what it says is the first large-scale video-on-demand
service offering in Japan. The service will use Scientific-Atlanta set-top
boxes running San Francisco-based NCube's software. Consumer trials will
be held in Tokorozawa for a six-month period beginning in the spring of
2002 on Tomen Mediacom's Mediatti cable TV service.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/212962236&ticker=
http://www.ncube.com
http://www.mediatti.com

(Hollywood, Calif.) Online ticket retailer MovieTickets.com said on
Tuesday that Knight Ridder Digital will use its technology to offer movie
ticket sales on its Real Cities
network of city and regional websites. Hollywood-based MovieTickets.com is
currently rolling out print-at-home tickets in several markets.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011023/fltu005_1.html
http://www.movietickets.com
http://www.knightridderdigital.com

(Santa Fe Springs, Calif.) Memorex, a manufacturer of digital media
storage products, said on Tuesday that it will begin production of DVD+RW
discs. Memorex said the 4.7 GB, $19.99 discs are playable in 70 of first
generation, all second generation and all current version DVD players, as
well as on PCs with a DVD+RW drive. The DVD+RW format is currently
supported by HP, Dell, MCC/Verbatim, Philips Electronics, Thomson
Multimedia, Ricoh, Sony and Yamaha.
http://search.prnmedia.com/servlet/pressroomsrv?pressid=219270&detail=story

(Tokyo) SegaNet, the online division of game developer Sega, said users
will soon have to pay $9.95 per month for unlimited access to its online
network of multiplayer games, Reuters reported on Tuesday. The service --
which lets Dreamcast console users connect to the Internet and challenge
one another -- discontinued its ISP offering in July and transferred users
to EarthLink. SegaNet said that only players of Phantasy Star Online,
numbering around 300,000, will be exempt from the service fee because the
game resides on a separate server.
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-200-7626101.html?tag=mn_hd
http://www.sega.net

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

> Katrillion, Web Research Assistant - Fort Lee, New Jersey

CityConnect, the first national city event guide for teens available on
all web and wireless platforms, is looking for an events-locating
super-sleuth to find content for posting on the web. The ideal candidate
must be -- able to find current information that may not be readily
available, a recent college grad, and possess a passion for pop culture
and teen trends. Internet savvy plus strong writing skills are essential.
Send resume and salary requirements to: ccstaff@katrillion.com
http://www.katrillion.com/cityconnect.com
______________________

> Bookspan, Web Designer - Long Island, New York

BOOKSPAN is seeking a Web Designer with preferably 1-2 years experience
for a freelance position (possible temp-to-hire). Work with a Sr. Designer
on the design of all-new web sites from top to bottom. PhotoShop,
Illustrator, hand-code HTML, and aptitude to learn proprietary
content-management software are an absolute must. Send resume in plain
text with URLs of your work, and list the three best-looking content or
e-commerce based sites you can find to: jgiannetti@booksonline.com
http://www.booksonline.com
______________________

> Vice President of Sales - United States

We are a six-year-old E-Learning company expanding our sales presence in
the US. We are looking for a proven sales leader. Our streaming technology
is proprietary, our client base is outstanding, our track record is
extremely strong. We are in search of kindred spirits who believe that,
great technology companies are built by great people not hype. If your
knowledge of technology is strong and you have a demonstrable history
(10+years) of significant sales success -- we would like to speak with
you. This position can be located anywhere in the US. Send resumes to
njwlmw@aol.com

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

> FREE Seminar - A Foolproof Business and an Invincible Brand

A Digital Asset Management seminar introducing proven strategies for
strengthening global brands, improving productivity, enhancing
communication and increasing revenues. Artesia's experience with global
brands such as GM, AOL Time Warner and others has given us unprecedented
insight into how organizations can improve brand-building activities. For
more information: insidesales@artesia.com
http://www.artesia.com/seminar/
______________________

> CTAM Broadband Opportunity Conference, Nov. 6-8 -- Tysons Corner, VA

Get the FYI on HSI and iTV at CTAM's Broadband Opportunity Conference Nov
6-8, Sheraton Premiere Tysons Corner. Keynote speakers: Maggie Bellville,
Incanta; Christopher P. Bogart, Time Warner Cable Ventures; Charles F.
Dolan, Cablevision Systems Corporation & Steve Wadsworth, The Walt Disney
Internet Group. Call CTAM at 703.549.4200.
For more information contact: tania@ctam.com
http://www.ctambroadband.com
______________________

> Office Space For Rent - Los Angeles

Prime Sunset Boulevard location. Approx. 588 sq ft. Second floor, spacious
two + offices with private bathroom. Convenient parking. Recently
renovated. Quiet, nice work environment. Other tenants in building are
primarily entertainment and new media companies. DSL-ready. Rent is $1,175
per month. For more information, please call 323-363-3620.
______________________

> SHORTSPAN Film & Video Festival, OCTOBER DATES

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 ultra-short documentaries like
"Peekaboo Sunday," a story about raising miniature horses or "Exotic
World," an inside look at the lives of some of America's first burlesque
performers-- and 57 more shorts! The tour will travel to 30 North American
cities.

CHICAGO, IL: Columbia College - Oct. 10 - 7PM
BOSTON, MA: Boston University - Oct. 10 - 7PM
KYONGIU CITY, SOUTH KOREA: Film & Video Dept - Oct 10
BROOKLINE, MA: Coolidge Corner Theatre - Oct. 12-18
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Lucky Bar - Oct. 23 - 8PM
SALT LAKE CITY, UT: Univ. of Utah Union Theatre - Oct. 24 - 8PM

HOLLYWOOD, CA: The American Cinematheque - Oct. 17 - 7:30PM
SAN DIEGO, CA: San Diego Museum of Art - Oct. 18 - 7:30PM
BERKELEY, CA: Fine Arts Cinema - Oct. 23-24 - 9:30PM

For more info: http://www.dreamspan.com/shortspan
______________________

> Digital Media Revolution in the Americas, 11/29-12/01 -- Pasadena, CA

Presented by the Institute of the Americas and Annenberg School for
Communication, this 2 1/2 day forum will include Sr. Exec. Networking w/ a
special focus on Latin Americas & U.S. Hispanic markets, copyright, rights
mgmt., dist., infrastructure, digital film, iTV, streaming, device trends,
content financing. Early-bird 40% off till 9/30. Keynote Steven Bandel,
Pres. - The Cisneros Group. Sponsors: JP Morgan, Motorola, Global
Crossing, Walt Disney Company, Digital Media Wire, Cahners International
TV, iHollywood, Motion Picture Assoc., National Assoc. of TV Prog. Exec.,
National Assoc. of Theatre owners. For more information:
martin@iamericas.org
Register at: http://www.iamericas.org/events
______________________

To subscribe, go to:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com

Questions or comments? Send email to:
mark@digitalmediawire.com

News tips, press releases. Send email to:
editorial@digitalmediawire.com

Copyright 2001 Digital Media Wire