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DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- November 8, 2002
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To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com
o Video Game Maker Sega Cuts Profit Forecast for Year by 72%
o FCC Task Force Recommends More Flexible Policies for Wireless Spectrum
o Top Japanese Xbox Executive Transfers to U.S. Amid Weak Performance
o Survey: 10% Of World's Population Uses the Internet
o Chipmaker STMicroelectronics Sues Rival Broadcom for Patent Infringement
o Vivendi Sells U.S.-Based Houghton Mifflin for $1.7 Billion
> Digital Media Wire Event: "iTV Visions" | NYC | Nov. 14
> Digital Media Wire -- New Publications
> Featured Company: Etronica
o Briefly Noted: Systemax - "extreme gaming PCs", "Doom II" - Game Boy
Advance, Superbit DVD format - copy-protection, Internet2, Correction
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> Jobs: East Coast Sales Rep.
> Events: GasPedal VIP Dinner
> Marketplace: Homeland Security Directory, Interest-Based Navigation
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 Video Game Maker Sega Cuts Profit Forecast for Year by 72%
Tokyo -- Japanese game developer Sega has reduced its projected fiscal
year profits by 72 percent, from an estimated $148.4 million to an
estimated $41.2 million -- blaming poor sales of game titles including its
"NFL 2K3." For the company's fiscal year, which ends in March, it had
projected sales of 20 million games; Sega now expects to sell 12.6 million
software units.
http://sega.jp/IR/en/cr/corporate_release.html
http://sega.jp/IR/en/cr/pdf/20021107.pdf
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o FCC Task Force Recommends More Flexible Policies for Wireless Spectrum
Washington -- A Federal Communications Commission (FCC) task force has
recommended that the FCC create more flexible, consumer-oriented policies
regarding the wireless spectrum that would allow licensees to use their
allotted frequencies for multiple services. The task force also said that
unused or under-used spectrum that has been licensed by one party could
also potentially be re-allocated to third parties. It recommended the
Commission set an "interference temperature" level that would quantify
acceptable levels of interference in such cases. "Today's consumer demands
access to interference-free spectrum when they need it. When we turn on
our cell phone, we expect it to work. When we flip on the set top box, we
expect a DBS signal.In contrast, when our devices are not on, we could
care less about interference or whether spectrum is available," said FCC
chairman Michael K. Powell.
http://www.fcc.gov
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-228242A1.pdf
http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=search&StoryID=1698128
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o Top Japanese Xbox Executive Transfers to U.S. Amid Weak Performance
Tokyo -- Microsoft Japan's head Xbox executive will leave to join the
company's U.S. Xbox operations, Reuters reported on Friday. Hirohisa
Ohura's move to the U.S. may signal a change in the company's gaming
strategy for Japan, where its Xbox console has fared poorly in comparison
to products from native rivals Sony and Nintendo. "There have been some
gaps between the U.S. headquarters and the Japan side in understanding
about the Japanese market, but we will have a pipeline to link both
sides," a Microsoft representative told Reuters.
http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=search&StoryID=1701952
http://www.xbox.com
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o Survey: 10% Of World's Population Uses the Internet
Dublin -- The Internet is now used by about one tenth of the world's
population, with Europe leading the way, according to new research by
Ireland's NUA Surveys. The world's online population reached 605.6 million
in September. Europe has the largest online population, with 190.91
million users, while strong growth in South East Asia saw the region
achieve 187.24 million users, overtaking the U.S. for the first time. The
U.S. currently has 182.67 million users.
http://www.nua.ie
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o Chipmaker STMicroelectronics Sues Rival Broadcom for Patent Infringement
Paris -- Chipmaker STMicroelectronics said on Friday that it has filed
suit against U.S.-based Broadcom for patent infringement. The suit, filed
in a U.S. District Court in Texas, alleges that Broadcom infringes six
U.S. patents covering technology used in semiconductor products, including
products used in cable modem, set-top boxes, and high-speed networking
applications.
http://www.detnews.com/2002/technology/0211/08/technology-4761.htm
http://www.broadcom.com
http://www.st.com
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o Vivendi Sells U.S.-Based Houghton Mifflin for $1.7 Billion
Paris -- Cash-strapped media giant Vivendi Universal said it has sold its
U.S. publisher Houghton Mifflin, for $1.7 billion to private equity firms
Thomas H. Lee and Bain Capital. Vivendi is disposing of its publishing
holdings to help pay off $7 billion of debt by the end of the year and to
help it fend off a takeover bid by Vodafone for French wireless provider
Cegetel.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/021107/70600_1.html
http://www.vivendiuniversal.com
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EVENT -- DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE Presents...
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iTV Visions: Technology Transforming Entertainment
New York City | Thurs. November 14 | 1:30-7:30 PM
Sponsors: Etronica | World Gate | iTV Marketer | 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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NEW PUBLICATIONS: Digital Media Wire Release...
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DMW is proud to announce the release of two cutting-edge reports:
2002 Game Industry Report | Digital Media Law & Policy Report (Oct.
Edition)
The following are excerpts from the reports:
"In the past, I have been told that the problem with those of us in the
entertainment industry is that our businesses are run on old business
models, and I have to remind people that our industry has done a lot to
promote new technologies and has always been active in pursuing Internet
distribution."
-Doug Lowenstein, President, IDSA (2002 Game Industry Report)
"We promise to return when there is an environment in which an independent
company such as ours is allowed to compete for your business. Whether the
current environment of increasing media concentration is good for our
Democracy is, of course, the ultimate question."
-Jonathan Taplin, CEO, Intertainer (Digital Media Law & Policy Report)
2002 Game Industry Report (15 pages): $19.00
October Issue - Digital Media Law & Policy Report (25 pages): $49.00
Information and orders: http://www.digitalmedialawreport.com/order.htm
Article submissions & inquiries: lawreport@digitalmediawire.com
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==================
FEATURED SECTION
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Featured Section posting at:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/featuredpostingpage.htm
Meet Etronica at "iTV Visions" in NYC on Nov. 14th.see you there!
Meet us at iTV Visions to learn about the vision of the future for
"Interest Based Navigation" of digital content. Jim Cantalini, CEO of Gist
Communications, will be on the panel. Gist is the leading independent
developer of electronic programming guides (EPGs) and related
applications. Gist has partnered with Etronica to offer a unique new EPG
experience. Our mutual goal is to help MSO's increase revenues (through
one-click purchases of premium content, targeted ads, and commerce.)
Additionally, the compelling navigation experience can help reduce
customer churn.
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Briefly Noted:
(Port Washington, N.Y.) PC manufacturer Systemax has launched a line of
"extreme gaming PCs," featuring the fastest available Intel Pentium 4 and
AMD Athlon processors, super high-speed memory chips, dual high-capacity
hard drives and a unique liquid cooling system. New York-based Systemax
said its basic Double-X series PCs start at $899.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/021107/nyth115_1.html
http://www.systemaxpc.com
(Santa Monica, Calif.) Austin-based game developer Id Software has
released a version of its popular first-person shooter title, "Doom II,"
for Nintendo's Game Boy Advance handheld. The game allows up to four Game
Boy Advance devices to hook up together for the game's "deathmatch" mode.
"Doom II" was developed by Australia-based Torus Games, executive produced
by Id Software and published by Santa Monica-based Activision.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/021108/laf031_1.html
http://www.torus.com.au
http://www.idsoftware.com
(London) A number of movies recently released in the ultra-high resolution
Superbit DVD format do not feature copy-protection technology that
prevents their being copied through an analog output, NewScientist.com
reported on Friday. Sony's Columbia Tristar is now selling sixteen DVDs --
including "Men in Black" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" -- that come
embedded with digital copy-protection, but do not feature Macrovision's
system that prevents the high-quality versions from being copied onto VHS,
for instance. "The Superbit titles do not feature Macrovision
copy-protection. We are reviewing our arrangements with Macrovision,"
Columbia Tristar told NewScientist.com.
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993034
http://www.superbitdvd.com
(San Francisco) Wired News on Friday reported on a recent demonstration of
streaming media over Internet2, the ultra-high-speed, Internet-like
network currently being developed by 500 universities and institutions.
During the demonstration, a live performance by the New World Symphony
from Miami Beach, Florida was streamed live over the 70Mbps network to the
Bing Auditorium at the University of Southern California, which features a
30-by-17-foot screen and 12-speaker surround sound.
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,56110,00.html
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CLASSIFIEDS - JOBS
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To Post Jobs: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobpostingpage.htm
East Coast Sales Rep - Imaging and Music Software Firm
Imaging and music software firm is seeking an independent, East Coast
sales representative. We have great products - you have strong
relationships with camera and computer hardware manufacturers and
marketers. Significant OEM experience strongly preferred. Position offers
a retainer and generous commissions. Interested parties should forward
their resume to David McKie at: david@simplestar.com
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====================
CLASSIFIEDS - EVENTS
====================
To Post Events: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/eventpostingpage.htm
Feast For Smart Marketers: Little Italy, NYC, 11/18/2002
1000 CEOs and SVPs have attended! Join the best marketers in the business
as we do a few deals, reconnect with old friends, and meet new people with
new opportunities. Our guarantee: No speeches, no PowerPoint, no posers.
"I left with a "wow" and I'm really looking forward to the next one." --
Ron Kovas, CEO, i-traffic
For more information: http://www.gaspedal.net/feast
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CLASSIFIEDS - MARKETPLACE
==========================
To Post Marketplace:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplacepostingpage.htm
Only 55 copies remaining of Directory of Homeland Security
This is your company's final chance to purchase the inaugural edition of
the Directory of Homeland Security: a 160-page book that lists all federal
and state agencies involved in homeland security. The directory includes
names of over 1,500 homeland security officials, profiles of 500 agencies
involved in homeland security, and a detailed list of technology companies
in this sector. The directory is sponsored by NETSEC, Greenberg Traurig,
AT&T and the Northern Virginia Technology Council.
To purchase the directory, go to: http://www.homeland-directory.com
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Digital Media Wire, Inc. leverages its integrated media network to provide
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Copyright 2002 Digital Media Wire, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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