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December 10, 2003 --
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Main Stories
o
Pop-Up Ad Firm Challenges FTC Shutdown Order
o
Rockstar Games to Remove "Kill Haitians" Dialogue from "Grand Theft
Auto"
o
Microsoft, Universal Team on Link-Based Music Distribution Scheme
o Game
Developer Bam Entertainment Gets $1.5 Million Investment
o RIAA Hires Former ATF Director
to Head Anti-Piracy Division
o Music Choice, Napster Partner
on Broadband Cable Music Service
o U.K. Boasts More Than 3
Million Broadband Connections
> DMW Announcements: DMW Publications
--Digital Media Law Report - November Report Available Now!
--Game
Industry Quarterly > Featured
Advertisement:
--Apple Seminars, Training & Events
--Complete Information for Department of Homeland Security
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o
Briefly Noted: AOL - Infinity
Broadcasting - Case's Ladder - Love.com, Cablevision - digital video
recorder set-tops, Yahoo en Espanol - LAUNCH, RealNetworks' Rhapsody
- Omnifi, Square Enix U.S.A. - Verizon Wireless, Visionik -
Nickelodeon, Nintendo - Customer Loyalty Program, THQ - "Warhammer
40,000; Dawn of War," Hollywood talent agencies - video game
industry
>
Job/Event/Marketplace Classifieds:
--MIDEMNET
--OPS Consulting - Project/Technical Manager Positions
--Senior Business Development Manager
--Manager of Sales and Marketing Support
--Media Director - Greater Boston
--See it first at COMNET - January 26-29, 2004
--Get a Jump on Fourth Quarter Sales Generation
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o Pop-Up Ad Firm Challenges FTC
Shutdown Order
Washington -- A small company that used a feature in Microsoft's
Messenger software to serve frequent pop-up ads -- which ironically
often touted pop-up ad blocking software -- is challenging an
enforcement lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) aimed at
shutting down the service, the Associated Press reported. San
Diego-based D Squared Solutions, which consists of two 20-year-old
college students, are arguing that the FTC order is a protected free
speech issue, saying the ads are "no more harmful than roadway speed
bumps or television commercials." In its lawsuit, the FTC said D
Squared's ads are "nothing more than a high-tech version of a
classic scam. The defendants created the problem that they proposed
to solve -- for a fee. Their pop-up spam wasted computer users' time
and caused them needless frustration," said Howard Beales, director
of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. D Squared is expected in
court next week to argue for a reversal of the FTC's order to
prevent the company from serving its pop-up ads.
http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,61532,00.html
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2003/11/dsquared.htm
http://www.ftc.gov/os/2003/11/cv3108comp.pdf
_____________________________________________
o Rockstar
Games to Remove "Kill Haitians" Dialogue from "Grand Theft Auto"
New York -- The New York Times reported on Wednesday that
Rockstar Games, a unit of video game publisher Take-Two Interactive,
has said it will remove dialogue contained in its popular "Grand
Theft Auto: Vice City" video game that instructs players to, "kill
all the Haitians," after complaints from Haitian groups and New York
City mayor Michael Bloomberg. "We are aware of the hurt and anger in
the Haitian community and have listened to the community's
objections to certain statements made in the game," Take-Two said in
a statement. "Accordingly, we will remove the objectionable
statements from future copies." Mayor Bloomberg condemned the game
while speaking at a Haitian church on Sunday, calling it
"disgraceful" and "vulgar."
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/10/nyregion/10HAIT.html
http://www.rockstargames.com/vicecity
_____________________________________________
o Microsoft,
Universal Team on Link-Based Music Distribution Scheme
Los Angeles -- A group of media and technology firms including
Microsoft and Universal Music Group are collaborating on a new
content delivery system that will compensate artists and copyright
holders while allowing users to share media files -- although
swappers would be trading "links" to content instead of the actual
files. The Content Reference Forum, which in addition to Microsoft
and Universal includes copy-protection firm Macrovision, Japanese
telco NTT, VeriSign and chipmaker ARM, announced its formation and
intentions this week. When users click one of the links, or "content
references," information on the content requested, such as its
price, could be calculated on the fly according to the wishes of
copyright holders. The Content Reference Forum expects to release a
working specification in mid-2004.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-music10dec10.story
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=16700059
____________________________________________
o Game
Developer Bam Entertainment Gets $1.5 Million Investment
San Jose, Calif. -- Bam Entertainment, a developer and publisher of
video games, announced on Wednesday that it has received a $1.5
million investment from Laurus Funds, a New York-based investment
group. In an SEC filing made in November, San Jose, Calif.-based Bam
said it would need additional funds to continue operating as a going
concern. The company has developed games based on a number of
Cartoon Network properties, such as "The Powerpuff Girls," as well
on franchises including the "Wallace and Gromit" claymation series.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031209/sftu123_1.html
http://www.bam4fun.com
____________________________________________
o RIAA Hires
Former ATF Director to Head Anti-Piracy Division
Washington -- The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
announced that it has hired Bradley Buckles, the director of the
federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF),
as the head of its anti-piracy division. Buckles will oversee the
RIAA's collaborative efforts with law enforcement agencies to clamp
down on large-scale physical piracy operations, as well as the
group's crusade against Internet piracy. "Brad's appointment should
signal to everyone that we continue to take piracy, here and
throughout the world, very seriously," said RIAA CEO Mitch Bainwol.
"Piracy is becoming an increasingly sophisticated and lucrative
criminal venture."
http://www.riaa.com
____________________________________________
o Music Choice,
Napster Partner on Broadband Cable Music Service
Horsham, Pa. -- Music Choice, a provider of pre-programmed digital
music channels that play on cable TV systems, announced on Wednesday
that it has partnered with the Napster music download store to offer
users of a soon-to-launch new service the ability to download tracks
or albums they hear directly from the service. Music Choice
Broadband, scheduled to launch early next year, will deliver
broadband digital music channels to its cable TV operator partners
to offer to their cable modem broadband Internet customers. The
service will deliver music via satellite multicast, rather than over
the Internet. When a song available on Napster plays on the new
service, users will see a "Download Now" button where they can
connect to Napster and purchase and download the track or album.
http://www.musicchoice.com
____________________________________________
o U.K. Boasts
More Than 3 Million Broadband Connections
London -- Telecommunications watchdog Oftel has given itself a pat
on the back in creating a creating a competitive broadband
marketplace after it announced on Wednesday that there are now more
than 3 million high-speed Internet connections in the U.K. More than
40,000 households and businesses a week receive a broadband
connection of between 128Kbps and 2Mbps, Oftel said. Oftel director
general David Edmonds said that broadband is "transforming the way
consumers and businesses use the Internet, and is now becoming an
important market in its own right."
http://makeashorterlink.com/?E359215C6
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> DMW Publications:
> Digital
Media Law Report
Must-read publication on legal and policy matters related to
digital media. Law Report includes case summaries, news and
analysis, policy updates, court filings, and exclusive interviews
with legal counsel and business leaders. Published monthly.
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Available Now - November Law Report - 32 pages
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Industry Quarterly
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The Game Industry Quarterly features news about key business,
legal and finance developments impacting the game industry. Each
issue includes sections on current industry research, financings,
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> Featured Advertisement:
> Making Your Way thru the Homeland Security Maze
Small businesses wanting to do business with the government face unique
challenges when entering the federal marketplace. The 2003- 2004 Directory
of Homeland Security includes a detailed list of procurement information
and small business government contacts for the various federal departments
and agencies. Contact names, titles, phone and fax numbers and
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Business with the Department of Homeland Security." To order the 2003-2004
edition, go to:
http://www.tech-directories.com/dmw.htm
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o Briefly Noted: (Dulles, Va.)
America Online on Wednesday had three new announcements in the realm
of digital media. The company said it added streams from radio giant
Infinity Broadcasting's WCBS-FM (New York City) and WUSN-FM
(Chicago) stations to its Radio@AOL and Radio@AOL for Broadband
services, with plans to launch additional streams from Infinity
stations in Los Angeles and Washington in coming weeks. The company
also partnered with Case's Ladder, a unit of eUniverse, to launch
AOL Ladder, an online competitive ranking service for PlayStation 2
gamers. The service will expand to include Nintendo GameCube titles
next year. Finally, AOL on Wednesday launched a preview of its
Love.com personals site, which will integrate with the company's
popular AOL Instant Messenger software.
http://media.aoltimewarner.com/media/press_view.cfm?release_num=55253666
http://media.aoltimewarner.com/media/press_view.cfm?release_num=55253664
http://www.infinityradio.com
http://www.casesladder.com
http://www.love.com
(New York) Cable TV operator Cablevision Systems announced that
it plans to offer its subscribers digital video recording
functionality next year, joining the ranks of such competitors as
Time Warner Cable and DirecTV that offer their subscribers the
ability to pause and record live TV. Reuters reported that the
company had initially hoped to offer the service through its own
network, bypassing the need to distribute new set-top boxes to
subscribers, but now says it will go the same route as its
competitors and provide new set-tops.
http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/031209/media_cablevision_dvr_1.html
(Coral Gables, Fla.) Yahoo en Espanol on Wednesday announced the
launch of a version of Yahoo's LAUNCH music destination for Hispanic
audiences. The service offers on-demand music videos, Latin music
streaming audio channels, music-related news, content, features and
promotions. The company also launched a dedicated Enrique Iglesias
Fan Club.
http://yahooenespanol.com
http://espanol.launch.yahoo.com
(Seattle) Media delivery technology provider RealNetworks
announced on Wednesday that its Rhapsody digital music subscription
service is now compatible with consumer electronics firm Rockford's
Omnifi home stereo/theater wireless digital media streamer, enabling
subscribers to listen to Rhapsody tracks from their home stereo. The
$299 product is a stand-alone receiver capable of streaming media
from consumers' personal computers to their home stereo system using
a wired or wireless network. Seattle-based RealNetworks also
announced on Wednesday that Rhapsody subscribers streamed over one
million songs per day on average during November, or over 33 million
songs total, up 17% from October.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031210/sfw050_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031210/sfw049_1.html
http://www.omnifimedia.com
(Los Angeles) Square Enix U.S.A., the U.S. publishing arm of the
Japanese video game developer, announced on Wednesday that it will
develop versions of its games for wireless network operator
Verizon's Get It Now service. The first title from the "Final
Fantasy" developer to be offered to Verizon subscribers will be
"Brave Shot," available today; Square Enix said additional titles
will be announced later.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031210/law014_1.html
http://www.square-enix-usa.com
http://www.verizonwireless.com/getitnow
(Copenhagen) Visionik, a unit of digital TV "smart card"
developer NDS that develops interactive TV services, announced on
Wednesday that children's cable TV network Nickelodeon will use the
company's services to bring interactive TV games and applications
based on its properties to the Sky digital platform in the U.K.
Copenhagen-based Visionik's free-to-play games will run behind
programming on the Nickelodeon, Nicktoons and Nick Jr. channels.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/031210/105035_1.html
http://www.visionik.com
http://www.nick.com
(Redmond, Wash.) Nintendo of America on Wednesday announced the
launch of a Customer Loyalty Program, which will reward customers
who provide feedback on Nintendo systems and games with exclusive
content and game information. Top-tier participants will
occasionally be able to preview new Nintendo games and initiatives,
the company said.
http://www.nintendo.com
(Calabasas Hills, Calif.) Video game publisher THQ announced on
Wednesday plans to publish "Warhammer 40,000; Dawn of War" for PC in
the fall of 2004. Based on the "Warhammer 40,000" tabletop war game
from Games Workshop, the title will be developed by Vancouver-based
Relic Entertainment.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/031210/105361_1.html
http://www.thq.com
http://www.games-workshop.com
http://www.relic.com
(San Francisco) Wired News on Wednesday reported on the new crop
of Hollywood agents that are being trained by talent agencies to act
as liaisons between the movie/celebrity and video game industries,
as the market for video games based on various established
entertainment properties continues to flourish. For instance, the
William Morris Agency negotiated deals between pro skater Tony Hawk
and Activision, as well as between author Tom Clancy and Red Storm
Entertainment -- which both resulted in top-selling game titles.
Meanwhile, Creative Artists Agency (CAA) represents Microsoft Game
Studios, Valve Software, id Software and "Sims" creator Will Wright,
and other agencies including Endeavor and International Creative
Management (ICM) have their own game-related deals in the works.
http://www.wired.com/news/games/0,2101,61358,00.html
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>
Classifieds:
___________________
> OPS Consulting - Project/Technical Manager
Positions
OPS Consulting, a software engineering consulting
firm, is looking for qualified Software Project Managers (SPM)
with 15 yrs exp. in large-scale application projects,
Configuration Managers (CM) with 15+ yrs exp. in the use of
configuration mgmt tools (5 yrs in Clearcase/ClearQuest), CMMI,
software quality assurance and Requirements Managers (RM) with
15+ years exp. in CMMI/IEEE standards, object-oriented modeling
tools, software testing and software engineering. A TS/SCI
Security clearance is reqd. for all positions. For more info,
visit
http://www.opsconsulting.com Send resume and salary
requirements to
hr@opsconsulting.com
___________________
> Senior Business Development Manager
AQUENT’s Washington DC office is seeking a Senior Business
Development Manager to focus and lead sales efforts of AQUENT’s
services to Fortune 1000, mid-size companies and emerging markets
in the Association, Non-profit and Federal sectors. Business
impact goals are challenging. First 12 month expectations are to
exceed $1,000,000 revenue. Send resumes to
dcsales@aquent.com
Visit http://www.aquent.com
___________________
> Manager of Sales and Marketing Support
DC based Govt. Affairs and Sales Consulting firm is seeking an
experienced business professional to help lead, support and
manage the firm’s marketing and sales efforts. Min. 5-7 yrs exp.
Require strong writing skills, proven ability to successfully
manage multiple projects and tasks. Responsibilities: Development
and creation of marketing and sales collateral, creation and
maintenance of various databases, providing assistance with lead
generation efforts; monitoring and tracking the firm’s sales
process and direct interaction with senior business and govt.
professionals. Please email your resume to marketgov@yahoo.com
___________________
> Media Director - Greater Boston
Our client is a full service Advertising Agency looking for a
Media Director. This person will ensure proper maintenance and
quality control for media planning and buying over multiple
accounts as well as establish procedures and standards for media
personnel. Proven management expertise and presentation skills
required. Minimum of 8 years experience leading media teams. For
consideration, please email your resume to dhorvath@pilenet.com
Please put "Media Director" in the subject line when applying.
Compensation: $75,000
____________________
> See it first at COMNET - January 26-29, 2004
COMNET '04 previews technologies impacting your network -
security, wireless, VoIP, WAN, the data center. New conference
format, new programs for 2004. Young companies, pitch your
business in the new COMNET First: Venture Summit and Network.
http://www.comnetexpo.com/comnetexpo/V40/index.cvn?id=10257&p_navID=174
Space is limited! VCs assess up-and-comers in the Venture Summit.
Register today for COMNET using priority code MPOT at the new
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http://www.comnetexpo.com/comnetexpo/V40/index.cvn?ID=10017
See http://www.comnetexpo.com
for more information.
____________________
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Digital Media Wire, Inc. is a news organization, publisher and
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