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=================================================== DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- November 2, 2001 =================================================== To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com o Appeals Court Rules DVD-Cracking Code Can Be Distributed o Digital Rights Management Firm Reciprocal Shuts Down o Justice Dept. Rejects Retailers' Antitrust Claim Against Sony o New Bill Would Ban 'Net Gambling; Money Laundering Potential Cited o Sony Uses DMCA to Clamp Down on Robot Dog Hackers o Patent Office Confirms Digimarc Patents; Infringement Case Goes Ahead o Briefly Noted: Nickelodeon Online - Into Networks, Digital Bridges - The Link _____________________________________________ > Job Postings: Online Ad Sales Mgr., Web Research Assistant, Web Designer > Events/Services: "CATO: 'Intellectual Property in the Digital Age'," "Shortspan Film & Video Festival," "FREE Digital Asset Management Seminar," "CTAM Broadband Opportunity Conference," "Office Space - L.A.," "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 Appeals Court Rules DVD-Cracking Code Can Be Distributed San Francisco -- A California Court of Appeals has ruled that DeCSS -- a computer code that can break the encryption security on DVD discs -- should be considered a form of "speech" and therefore receive protection under the First Amendment. The DVD Copy Control Associaiton (DVDCCA) had sued Web developer Andrew Bunner and several others for posting and linking to the code, alleging that they were illegally distributing trade secrets. A lower court ruling enjoined Bunner from posting the code, which yesterday's appellate court ruling has overturned. "DVDCCA's statutory right to protect its economically valuable trade secret is not an interest that is 'more fundamental' than the First Amendment right to freedom of speech or even on equal footing with the national security interests and other vital governmental interests that have previously been found insufficient to justify a prior restraint," the appellate court ruling stated. Another appeal regarding the posting of DeCSS is due soon in New York. In that case, publishers of the code were charged with violating the anti-circumvention provision of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. DeCSS was originally written to enable PC owners running the Linux operating system to watch DVDs on their computers. http://www.eff.org/IP/Video/DVDCCA_case/20011101_eff_fap_bunner_pr.html http://www.dvdcca.org http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-7751876.html?tag=cd_mh _____________________________________________ o Digital Rights Management Firm Reciprocal Shuts Down New York -- Reciprocal, a provider of digital rights management technologies, has shut down. A blunt note posted on the company's website on Friday reads, "Effective immediately, Reciprocal, Inc. has ceased operations." In September, New York-based Reciprocal failed to repay a bridge loan given to the company by Microsoft -- which entitled Microsoft to the company's assets. It is unclear what role if any Microsoft had in the company's closure. Reciprocal laid off two-thirds of its staff in September in an attempt to conserve funds. http://www.reciprocal.com _____________________________________________ o Justice Dept. Rejects Retailers' Antitrust Claim Against Sony Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Justice Department has rejected a claim brought by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) that alleged Sony Music Entertainment was unfairly directing CD buyers to retail sites tied to Sony. The record label group has included embedded hyperlinks on music CDs that directed users who put the CD in their computer's CD-ROM drive to special offers and other promotions available only at sites with a relationship to Sony. "It is our view that the complaint fails to provide an adequate factual predicate for NARM's claims that Sony has violated the federal antitrust laws through its inclusion of hyperlinks and related products and services in the music CDs that it sells to NARM retailers or through its relationships with record clubs such as Columbia House," the ruling stated. NARM is a group of retailers whose members include Tower Records, Wal-Mart and Best Buy. http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/cases/f9400/9467.htm http://www.narm.com/news/lawsuits/NARMvSony.pdf _____________________________________________ o New Bill Would Ban 'Net Gambling; Money Laundering Potential Cited Washington, D.C. -- Rep. Bob Goodblatte, R-Va., on Thursday introduced a bill into Congress that, if approved, would update a 40-year-old law that bans telephone wagering to include gambling on the Internet, Reuters reported. Changes to the Wire Act would include a ban on Internet gambling via telephone, cable TV lines and wireless networks. Goodblatte argues that gambling sites can be used to provide a front for money laundering, and should be treated in the same manner that other means of possible terrorist-related financial networks are being targeted. http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-7753441.html?tag=mn_hd _____________________________________________ o Sony Uses DMCA to Clamp Down on Robot Dog Hackers Los Angeles -- Sony, which manufactures a robot dog called the Aibo that can be programmed to perform a variety of tricks and movements, has called upon a group of developers to stop distributing software that can be used to hack the dog's internal software and program new tricks. Sony says that a portion of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) that makes it a crime to circumvent copyright protection technology gives it the authority to demand that AiboHack.com stop distributing the software in question. Sony sells software that can be used to modify the dog's behavior, but programmers told the LA Times that AiboHack.com's software was much more sophisticated. "On the surface, Sony appears to be using portions of the DMCA in an attempt to keep people from putting the company's product to new and interesting uses," said Cindy Cohn, legal director of digital civil liberties group the Electronic Frontier Foundation. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-000086726nov01.story http://www.aibohack.com/letter2.htm _____________________________________________ o Patent Office Confirms Digimarc Patents; Infringement Case Goes Ahead Tualatin, Ore. -- Digimarc, a developer of digital watermarking technology, announced on Friday that the U.S. Patent Office has confirmed the validity of 75 of its watermarking technology patent claims, and ruled to cancel four of the company's patent claims. The patents were under re-examination as part of Digimarc's patent infringement suit against rival Verance. Digimarc's three separate suits against Verance claim the company infringes on six of its patents. Oregon-based Digimarc says it expects the cases -- suspended during the re-examination process -- to reconvene in the first quarter of 2002. "This Patent Office action narrows the issues left for trial and further increases our confidence in a favorable outcome. We believe that the new patent claims further strengthen our case," said Bill Conwell, vice president for intellectual property for Digimarc. http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/011102/20159_1.html http://www.digimarc.com http://www.verance.com _____________________________________________ o Briefly Noted: (New York) Nickelodeon Online, the website for children's cable TV network Nickelodeon, said that it will use streaming media technology from Into Networks to deliver CD-ROM quality video game rentals on its site. Games such as "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius," based on a Nickelodeon program, will be available for a three day period for $4.99. Massachusetts-based Into Networks also provides streaming technology to RealNetworks' Real Arcade video game service. http://www.nick.com http://www.intonetworks.com (Edinburgh, Scotland) Wireless entertainment developer Digital Bridges said on Friday that it will sell boxed software bundles including mobile games, ringtones and sports alerts at The Link, a 227-store U.K. retail chain that offers wireless communications products such as cell phones and handheld computers. Scotland-based Digital Bridges created three bundle categories -- Family, Adventure and Sports -- each of which will include sixteen single and multiplayer games developed by the company. http://www.digitalbridges.com http://www.thelink.co.uk =================================================== Job Postings: =================================================== To Post Jobs: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobs.html > Internet Advertising Sales Manager, gantthead.com, Fairfax VA Are you passionate about the Internet as a B2B advertising medium? We have too many leads to pursue and need you if: you have 2+ yrs exp. selling Internet advertising (required); BA/S degree; B2B agency/account contacts; you can identify, pursue, and close deals. Creative, autonomous work environment. Generous package: salary, commission, benefits. Please send resume to: gina@gantthead.com. EOE, M/F/V/D. For more information, see http://www.gantthead.com/Gantthead/jobs ______________________ > 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 =================================================== Events/Services Postings: =================================================== To Post Events/Services: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events.html > CATO CONFERENCE: Intellectual Property in the Information Age Join the Cato Institute and Forbes ASAP for a comprehensive look at the future of intellectual property in the digital economy. Speakers include John Perry Barlow, Electronic Frontier Foundation; Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.); and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). Wednesday, November 14, 2001 at the Cato Institute in Washington, D.C. from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information or to register, visit http://www.cato.org/events/futureip ______________________ > SHORTSPAN Film & Video Festival, FINAL 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. The remaining dates on the tour include: ATLANTA, GA: GSU Cinefest Theatre, Nov. 2-3, 10:00 PM AUSTIN, TX: The Alamo Draft House, Downtown, Nov. 7-8, 9:30 PM PITTSBURGH, PA: Pittsburgh Filmmakers, Nov. 16-18, Time TBA NEW YORK CITY, NY: The Anthology Film Archives, Dec. 7-8, 9:30 PM BIRMINGHAM, AL: WorkPlay, Dec. 20, 9:00 PM More info: http://www.dreamspan.com/shortspan ______________________ > 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. ______________________ > 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 |