Main Stories
o MIT Students Create Online Music Network Using Campus Cable TV System
o Two Former Executives Sue Bertelsmann for $3 Billion
o XM Satellite Radio Reaches Million Subscriber Milestone
o Acclaim Settles Suit With BMX Rider Dave Mirra Over Racy Video Game
o Napster to Sell Prepaid Download Cards In Retail Stores
o Dell Unveils $250 MP3 Player, Partnership With Musicmatch
o Video-on-Demand Server Maker Entome Raises $16 Million
o PlayLouder to Launch U.K. ISP That Lets Users Share Files, Pays Artists
o Microsoft Personal Media Center Software to Power New Devices
o Digital Satellite Provider DirecTV Suing at Least 150 in Maryland

o Briefly Noted: There Inc., Covenant Corp. - Universal Music, Ucentric Systems, Hitachi Gaming Channel, NDS RapiAd, AOL Sports: 180, Midway Games - "NFL Blitz Pro," THQ - "WWE SmackDown! Here Comes The Pain," Correction

Cambridge, Mass. -- Two students at MIT have created what they believe to be a legal means for students to access digital music on demand through the campus's cable television network. The Library Access to Music Project (LAMP), created by MIT students Keith Winstein and Josh Mandel, allows faculty and students to choose songs to listen to from an online library and play them through stereos or TVs, but does not permit downloading or copying. By using the school's analog cable TV system, LAMP appears to take advantage of less-stringent copyright laws and fall under licenses the school already pays to performing rights organizations. The streaming songs LAMP uses are being provided by Seattle-based Loudeye Technologies, which has licenses from all five major record labels. The system features 16 channels of pre-programmed radio, and lets users become the DJ and program 80-minute programming blocks from the 3,500 CDs in the LAMP library. Winstein and Mandel plan to publish the Linux software that powers LAMP for free so that other schools may implement similar systems. LAMP was funded by iCampus, a research alliance between MIT and Microsoft Research focused on furthering education through faculty and student technology projects.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031027/sfm107_1.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/27/technology/27mit.html
http://www.loudeye.com 
http://lamp.mit.edu
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o Two Former Executives Sue Bertelsmann for $3 Billion

Frankfurt -- The Wall Street Journal Europe reported that two former executives of Bertelsmann are suing the German media giant for not giving them a share of its stake in AOL Europe, which Bertelsmann sold in 2000 for $6.75 Billion. The two, Jan Henric Buettner and Andreas von Buettner, are asking a California jury to award them $3 billion. The two helped arrange the Bertelsmann-AOL Europe deal in 1995 and say that they were promised an equity stake in the company.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?E2E036956
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o XM Satellite Radio Reaches Million Subscriber Milestone

Washington -- XM Satellite Radio, a provider of satellite-delivered digital radio programming, announced on Monday that it now counts over one million subscribers for its service, which launched just under two years ago. The company noted that its technology reached the one million unit adoption mark more quickly than did the digital video recorder, VCR, MP3 player or CD player. "XM's success has been driven by several factors. We offer 101 channels of critically-acclaimed live programming, coast-to-coast coverage, and superior sound. We have succeeded in bringing down the cost of equipment quickly, and we have unprecedented distribution through retailers and automotive dealerships nationwide," said XM CEO Hugh Panero.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031027/dcm035_1.html 
http://www.xmradio.com
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o Acclaim Settles Suit With BMX Rider Dave Mirra Over Racy Video Game

Glen Cove, N.Y. -- Video game publisher Acclaim announced on Monday that it has settled a contract dispute with BMX athlete Dave Mirra, who had licensed his name for a line of Acclaim video games but protested when the company used his name for its racy "BMX XXX" game. Mirra sued Acclaim for $20 million for not seeking authorization before using his name and likeness in the game, which some retailers refused to carry because it features strippers and other mature content. Under the terms of the settlement, Mirra dropped his lawsuit against Acclaim and no damages were paid on either side. Mirra will continue his relationship with Acclaim, having signed an endorsement deal through 2011. "I'm glad that this issue is behind us," said Mirra. "I look forward to working with Acclaim and to continue making the best BMX video games available for fans of the sport."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031027/nym057_1.html 
http://www.acclaim.com 
http://www.bmxxxx.com
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o Napster to Sell Prepaid Download Cards In Retail Stores

Los Angeles -- Napster, the new paid version of the file-sharing service offered by Roxio, announced on Monday plans to sell prepaid cards that will let teenagers purchase music on Napster without the need of a credit card. The Napster Card -- which will offer 15 songs for $14.85 -- will be available next month at 14,000 national and regional retailers including Best Buy, CompUSA, Kroger, Safeway, RiteAid, ExxonMobil, Duane Reade, Diamond Shamrock and Speedway/SuperAmerica. The cards feature a PIN number that can be redeemed online for 15 permanent downloads from Napster.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031027/lam050_1.html 
http://www.roxio.com 
http://www.napster.com
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o Dell Unveils $250 MP3 Player, Partnership With Musicmatch

Round Rock, Texas -- PC maker Dell on Monday unveiled its first digital music player, the Dell DJ (Digital Jukebox), and announced a partnership with Musicmatch to promote the company's $0.99 download store and jukebox software to its customers. The 7.6 oz device comes in a $249, 15GB model and $329, 20GB model -- both of which use a new Hitachi 1.8-inch Travelstar minidrive. Songs can be organized on a PC using the Dell-branded Musicmatch jukebox software, and purchased from Dell's version of Musicmatch's online download store.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/031027/275205_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/031027/275305_1.html 
http://www.dell4me.com/music _____________________________________________

o Video-on-Demand Server Maker Entome Raises $16 Million

San Mateo, Calif. -- Entome, a provider of video-on-demand delivery equipment, announced on Monday that it has raised $16 million in an oversubscribed second round of venture capital financing. The investment round was co-led by Menlo Ventures, Palomar Ventures and BA Venture Partners. San Mateo, Calif.-based Entome said it will use the funds for product development, customer support, and expansion into new markets.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?I12921A56 
http://www.entome.com
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o PlayLouder to Launch U.K. ISP That Lets Users Share Files, Pays Artists

London -- PlayLouder, a U.K.-based online music site, on Monday announced the upcoming launch of a new broadband Internet access service that includes fees paid to copyright holders for the ability to freely stream and download music from other subscribers. PlayLouder has secured license agreements with MCPS-PRS, the licensing body that collects royalties on behalf of all U.K. music publishers, as well as with European independent record companies including XL Recordings, Beggars Group, V2 Music, PIAS Recordings and Ninja Tune. The service will let users freely trade songs from artists including the White Stripes, Pixies, Interpol and Underworld; the company said it is also negotiating with major record labels for inclusion. U.K. ISP Bulldog Communications is providing fulfillment for the broadband access service, which is scheduled to begin testing in November with an official launch slated for the first quarter of 2004.
http://www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk
http://www.playlouder.com/news/+playloudermsp _____________________________________________

o Microsoft Personal Media Center Software to Power New Devices

Redmond, Wash. -- Microsoft announced on Monday new mobile Windows software that will be integrated into handheld devices that can play music, TV shows and movies. Consumer electronics firms including Creative, iRiver, Samsung, Sanyo and ViewSonic said they are developing devices that utilize the Personal Media Center software for release in the second half of 2004. The software in question, which will support both Microsoft audio/video and MP3 formats, is based on Microsoft's Windows CE .NET operating system, and was formerly code-named "Media2Go" within the company.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031027/sfm072_1.html _____________________________________________

o Digital Satellite Provider DirecTV Suing at Least 150 in Maryland

Baltimore -- Digital satellite services provider DirecTV is seeking restitution from at least 150 Maryland residents who the company claims have been using unauthorized equipment to illegally intercept its programming, The Daily Record in Baltimore reported on Monday. The allegations, which are being strongly disputed by many of those affected, are part of a nationwide sweep by DirecTV. The company has over the past several months sent letters to more than 80,000 people seeking an average of $3,500 to settle the dispute, threatening lawsuits against those who decline the offer. So far, the company has filed more than 15,000 suits. "The sad part is that either these people have to give up $3,500 or they're spending tons of money to defend themselves in federal court," Sonya Smith-Valentine, an attorney representing 50 Marylanders, told the paper. She accused DirecTV of failing to do its homework, filing suits against several people who do not even own satellite dishes.
http://www.mddailyrecord.com

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(Menlo Park, Calif.) There, Inc., developer of an online community where members can chat and play online games in an immersive online world, on Monday announced its official launch after a nine-month public beta test. In addition to chat and gaming, There also features "sim" elements such as the ability to own pets and create in-world objects to sell for online currency. Membership to There.com costs $49.95 for one year, or $4.95 per month plus a one-time $19.95 registration fee. To date, Menlo Park, Calif.-based There, Inc. has raised $37 million in venture financing from backers including HP, iVillage and Nike.
http://www.wired.com/news/games/0,2101,60960,00.html 
http://www.there.com

(Hollywood) Covenant Corp., a unit of Meier Worldwide, said on Monday that Universal Music Group has contracted the firm to provide online anti-piracy support for the release of an album from its artist New School. Hollywood-based Covenant seeds file-sharing systems with "spoof" files that mimic the names of tracks from the album but do not contain the actual songs. In addition, the company offers software that automatically downloads promotional MP3s to users' PCs, and offers rewards when these tracks are offered on file-sharing systems like Kazaa.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/031027/275207_1.html
http://www.protectedbycovenant.com

(Maynard, Mass.) Ucentric Systems, a developer of home networking software, announced on Monday its Ucentric Whole Home Music 1.0, a program that when integrated into set-top boxes and consumer electronic devices will let users play their digital music collection in any room in the home. The program can access music through an interface that can be accessed from any screen including a TV, PC, PDA and eventually cell phones. Massachusetts-based Ucentric partnered with Gracenote to provide CD metadata and other features for its software.
http://www.gracenote.com 
http://www.ucentric.com

(San Jose, Calif.) Hitachi Global Storage Technologies on Monday announced the launch of the Hitachi Gaming Channel, an online games site that will offer downloadable trial versions of new PC games, game news and reviews, and product placement for Hitachi's hard disk drives optimized for use in high performance gaming systems.
http://www.hgst.com/portal/site/gaming

(London) NDS, a provider of interactive TV and pay-TV technology services, announced on Monday the launch of a new interactive TV advertising production service, NDS RapiAd. London-based NDS said the service will enable advertisers to create, preview and submit a new interactive TV advertisement in less than one hour.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/031027/275052_1.html 
http://www.nds.com

(Dulles, Va.) America Online on Monday announced the launch of a new twice-daily program for its AOL for Broadband subscribers, "AOL Sports: 180," that will feature the latest sports news, scores, interviews and highlights. Content for the program is being provided by CNN Sports.
http://media.aoltimewarner.com/media/press_view.cfm?release_num=55253484

(Chicago) Game developer Midway Games on Monday shipped its "NFL Blitz Pro" title for Sony PlayStation 2. The company signed San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens as cover athlete for the game, which offers online features for owners of the Network Adaptor for PlayStation 2.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/031027/275339_1.html 
http://www.midway.com

(Calabasas Hills, Calif.) Video game developer THQ announced on Monday the release of its "WWE SmackDown! Here Comes The Pain" title for PlayStation 2, which was developed by Japan-based Yuke's Co. THQ said that its World Wrestling Entertainment-licensed videogames have sold more than $350 million in the U.S. since 1999.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/031027/275295_1.html 
http://www.thq.com

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> Correction:

A story in Friday's edition of Digital Media Wire about the Mixman DM2 failed to note that the digital music product is co-owned and co-marketed by two companies: Digital Blue, a developer of entertainment and learning devices, and Mixman Technologies, Inc., a developer of interactive music software and services.

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