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===================================================
DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- November 8, 2001
===================================================
To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com

o MP3.com Settles Copyright Suit With TVT Records
o Artists Begin to Receive Direct Payments from Webcasters
o Digital Watermarking Firm Verance Countersues Rival Digimarc
o Cable TV Firm Charter Chooses Microsoft for Interactive Television
o Conde Nast Internet Unit Lays Off 22% of Staff
o CinemaNow Offering Video-on-Demand in Singapore
o Briefly Noted: Walt Disney Internet Group - T-Mobile, Qualcomm - Mattel,
Muppet concert webcast, InterActual Technologies - "Star Wars" DVD,
Blockbuster - DVD, Getty Images - NBA Entertainment, DivXNetworks -
Broadway Television Network, Bloomberg - video, Fandango - Los Angeles,
MusicNet CEO interview
_____________________________________________

> Job Postings: Online Ad Sales Mgr., Web Research Assistant,
Web Designer

> Events/Services: "M&A in the Current Market," "Avail. for
Hire," "Charlottesville Venture Forum," "CATO: 'Intellectual Property
in the Digital Age'," "Shortspan Film & Video Festival,"
"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 MP3.com Settles Copyright Suit With TVT Records

San Diego, Calif. -- MP3.com, a subsidiary of Vivendi Universal that
distributes digital music, has settled a copyright infringement case
brought against it by independent record label TVT Records. Terms of the
settlement were not disclosed. A mistrial of the case was declared in June
when the jury announced that it had made a mathematical error in figuring
the amount of damages MP3.com was to pay TVT Records. San Diego-based
MP3.com was found guilty of copyright infringement for posting 145 of TVT
Records' recordings online as part of its My.MP3.com service, which let
listeners stream songs from the company's website which they had already
purchased on CD. Artists to release albums on TVT Records include Nine
Inch Nails, Sevendust and Naughty by Nature.
http://www.mp3.com
http://www.tvt
_____________________________________________

o Artists Begin to Receive Direct Payments from Webcasters

Washington, D.C. -- The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
said that SoundExchange, an organization set up to collect royalty fees
for music webcasts, has reached an agreement with record labels and
musicians' groups and has begun to distribute royalties accrued from
payments made by webcasters directly to musicians. SoundExchange has been
collecting royalties since 1999, but made its first payout of $5.2 million
to artists on October 15. There was some controversy as to whether such
funds could be recoupable by artists' record labels against money invested
in recording albums and marketing their music, but the agreement calls for
direct payment to artists. Royalties will be paid on a yearly basis until
SoundExchange can implement technology that can provide instantaneous
payments; the organization currently withholds 20 percent of the total sum
to account for administrative fees.
http://www.riaa.org/PR_story.cfm?id=468
http://news.webnoize.com/item.rs?ID=14693
_____________________________________________

o Digital Watermarking Firm Verance Countersues Rival Digimarc

San Diego, Calif. -- Digital watermarking technology developer Verance
said that it has filed a countersuit against rival firm Digimarc that
accuses the company of "manipulating and excluding competition" in the
digital watermarking technology market, as well as patent misuse and
fraud. The company alleges that Digimarc aimed to eliminate Verance as a
competitor through an illegal agreement with Macrovision, another player
in the digital rights management field. Digimarc has pending litigation
against Verance, in which it claims the company is infringing on its
patents for digital watermarking technology.
http://www.verance.com/verance/news/releases/11-07-01b.html
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-7820458.html?tag=cd_mh
http://www.digimarc.com
_____________________________________________

o Cable TV Firm Charter Chooses Microsoft for Interactive Television

St. Louis, Mo. -- Cable TV operator Charter Communications said that it
signed a seven-year license for Microsoft's interactive television
operating system software, to use in set-top boxes it will offer to 1
million subscribers. In addition to Web browsing, email and news services,
the iTV services deployed on Motorola DCT-5000 set-top boxes will also
incorporate Internet-based streaming audio and video and Flash animation.
One of the largest operators in the U.S., Charter Communications currently
serves 7 million customers in 40 states.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011107/sfw108_2.html
http://www.charter.com
http://www.microsoft.com/tv
_____________________________________________

o Conde Nast Internet Unit Lays Off 22% of Staff

New York -- CondeNet, the online unit of magazine publisher Conde Nast,
has laid off 22 percent of its staff, or 25 of its 114 employees,
according to a Reuters report. The company -- which operates websites
including Style.com and Epicurious.com -- cited a revenue slowdown as
reasoning for the layoffs. The company laid off 12 percent of its staff
this past spring. Conde Nast publishes magazines including The New Yorker,
Vogue and Wired.
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-7814978.html?tag=cd_mh
http://www.condenet.com
_____________________________________________

o CinemaNow Offering Video-on-Demand in Singapore

Marina del Rey, Calif. -- CinemaNow, a movie entertainment site and
provider of video-on-demand services, announced on Thursday that Walker
Asia Entertainment will use its services to offer video-on-demand in
Singapore. Walker Asia Entertainment is a joint venture between Kadokawa
Publishing, Sumitomo Corporation, Compudia, Infocummu Investment and
advertising agency Dentsu. The agreement includes a content syndication
agreement for film content controlled by Marina del Rey-based CinemaNow,
which is funded largely by movie studio Lion's Gate Entertainment. The
service delivers films using Microsoft technology and will initially
launch in Singapore; the company said additional sites will launch
throughout Asia as early as March 2002.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/213120186&ticker=
http://www.cinemanow.com
http://www.walkerasia.com.sg
_____________________________________________

o Briefly Noted:

(North Hollywood, Calif.) Walt Disney Internet Group announced on Thursday
that it will make wireless entertainment content available to wireless
network operator T-Mobile's customers in the U.K., Austria and Germany.
The service will include downloadable logos, ringtones, wallpaper screens,
electronic greeting cards and games based on Disney's characters and
films. Disney said its similar Disney-i service on NTT DoCoMo's platform
in Japan has over 1.5 million subscribers; it also offers services in Hong
Kong and Taiwan.
http://psc.disney.go.com/corporate/press/wdig/wdig/2001/2001_1108_wdig.html
http://www.t-mobile.com

(El Segundo, Calif.) Qualcomm, a developer of wireless products and
services, announced on Thursday that toy and game manufacturer Mattel will
create versions of its UNO and Magic 8 Ball games that will run on
Qualcomm's BREW platform for wireless devices. The games will be able to
be downloaded and played by any user with a BREW-enabled cell phone.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011108/lath072_1.html
http://www.qualcomm.com/brew
http://www.mattel.com

(Dulles, Va.) America Online on Thursday announced a partnership with
Sesame Workship for "a public service initiative that encourages children
to explore, create and grow with music." The initiative will offer
educational content developed by AOL and SesameStreet.com, and will
include the first webcast of a live Muppet concert. Big Bird, Elmo, Telly
and friends will sing several classic Sesame Street songs at Madison
Square Garden on Monday at 6 PM (ET) -- in a concert broadcast exclusively
on AOL. The agreement is part of a larger "Music Works" campaign -- funded
by NAMM, MENC and the Chevron Texaco Foundation -- that is "based on
mounting research that positively links early engagement in active music
making with a child's capacity to learn and grow."
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/011108/82078_1.html
http://www.sesameworkshop.org/

(San Jose, Calif.) InterActual Technologies, a provider of software and
services that can connect DVDs to the Internet, said on Thursday that its
technology was implemented on the DVD release of "Star Wars: Episode I --
The Phantom Menace." The bonus feature connects to exclusive online
content when the disc is played on a PC equipped with a DVD-ROM drive,
including a preview of "Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones"
that will be available beginning on Friday.
http://www.interactual.com

(Dallas) Blockbuster said Thursday that it is stepping up its efforts to
market the DVD format, and will offer several promotions aimed at
increasing the percentage of revenue it generates from DVD rentals. On
Thanksgiving Day, the company will offer a free Philips DVD player to
customers that purchase a $199, 52-week DVD rental card. Customers who
purchase the player for $149 from the store will receive a 10-week DVD
rental card. The company said 20 percent of its domestic rental revenues
come from DVD, and expects that figure to increase to 30 percent by the
end of the year.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011107/daw056_1.html
http://www.blockbuster.com

(Seattle) Getty Images, a provider of photography licensing and archival
services, said on Thursday that it has signed an agreement with NBA
Entertainment to provide licensing and digital distribution for NBA, WNBA
and NBDL photography for editorial purposes and commercial use by the
leagues' business partners. Beginning in 2002, basketball fans will be
able to browse and purchase photos from the archives at NBA.com.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011107/sfw102_1.html
http://creative.gettyimages.com/source/home/home.asp

(San Diego, Calif.) DivXNetworks, a developer of video compression
technology, announced on Thursday that it has partnered with Broadway
Television Network to offer Internet-based video-on-demand of Broadway
shows. Users pay $5.95 for a downloadable five-day rental of a videotaped
performance of shows including "Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical" and "Smokey
Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller." New York-based Broadway
Television Network, which also distributes through digital cinema,
pay-per-view, and VHS/DVD, has licensed San Diego-based DivXNetworks'
technology that shrinks the file size of video so that higher-quality
images can be transmitted more quickly across the Internet.
http://www.broadwayonline.com
http://www.divxnetworks.com

(New York) Financial news service Bloomberg has launched a video service
that gives users access to live news feeds and archived broadcasts, and
enables them to search video by keyword. New York-based Bloomberg said
that search results will include all relevant content broadcast in the
minutes leading up to the search; the full transcript of the related video
segment will also appear in a pull-down window.
http://www.bloomberg.tv

(Hollywood, Calif.) Fandango, an online movie ticket retailer, announced
on Thursday that it will launch its print-at-home ticketing feature in Los
Angeles on Friday. The service allows moviegoers to purchase tickets at
the company's website and print them out from any computer before arriving
at the theater, completely bypassing the box office. The first
participating theater will be General Cinema's Avco Center Cinema in
Westwood; Hollywood-based Fandango plans to rollout the service for other
L.A. theaters in several weeks.
http://www.fandango.com

(San Francisco) Wired News on Wednesday offered an interview with Alan
McGlade, the newly-appointed president and CEO of MusicNet. The digital
music subscription service, a joint venture created by AOL, RealNetworks,
and music labels BMG, EMI and Warner Music, is slated to launch next year.
The article also addresses the recording industry's efforts to improve the
likelihood of success for such services, which unlike the file-sharing
services that have been sued for copyright infringement, do not allow
music to be sent to portable players, cost money, and only offer music
from participating labels.
http://www.wired.com/news/holidays/0,1882,48050,00.html
http://www.musicnet.com

===================================================
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

> Tuesday: M&A in the Current Market - 11/14 - Ritz Carlton, Tysons Corner

Sponsored by: Greenberg Traurig

Please join Potomac Tech Wire for a panel discussion on Mergers and
Acquisitions in the current market.  Topics will include trends,
valuations, deal structure, post deal issues, and technology.  Featured
Panelists: Chuck Ashley, Sr. Vice President, Updata Capital; Tim Jessell,
Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Bob Kipps, Sr. VP, Houlihan Lokey
Howard & Zukin; Jon Korin, VP Strategic Development, Northrup Grumman;
David Steinberg, CEO, InPhonic; and Paul Sherman (moderator), Editor,
Potomac Tech Wire. The event is sponsored by Greenberg Traurig.  A full
breakfast will be served and there will be networking before the
discussion. 11/14, 7:30-9:30 AM. To register:
http://www.potomactechwire.com/seminar17.htm
______________________
 
> Available for Hire - Tech-Experienced Copy Writer/Marketing Manager

Marketing professional with over two years high tech experience within a
London marketing agency. Moved to DC seven months ago to set up first US
branch of UK business - seeking opportunities for full-time, part-time or
freelance marketing/communications projects.
Contact timdatwilsonharvey@hotmail.com
______________________
 
> The Charlottesville Venture Forum

Join us Nov. 15-16 for 5 investor presentations. Distinguished panel:
William Daughtrey, Carilion Biomedical Institute; Charles Hamner, UVA,
Patent Foundation; Brandon Price, Goodwin BioTech, Inc; Bart Stephens,
Ivanhoe Capital; Keynote address by John May, New Vantage Partners.
Thursday cocktail reception, Friday breakfast and lunch. Co-hosts:
Charlottesville Venture Group and UVA's Darden Business School.
Send Inquiries to info@cville-venture.org or Visit
http://www.cville-venture.org/ventureForum2001.htm
______________________

> 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
______________________

> 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 323-822-0344.
______________________

> 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
______________________

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Copyright 2001 Digital Media Wire