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Past Editions

===================================================
DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- December 13, 2002
===================================================
To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com 

o Jury Deliberating In Trial of Russian Firm Accused of E-Book Piracy
o Korean Game Developer NCSoft Acquires Seattle-based Studio ArenaNet
o Yahoo CEO Predicts Growth in Subscriber Base, Earnings 
o Google Launches "Froogle" Search Engine for Online Retail Sites
o Former Vivendi CFO Cooperating In Accounting Probe

> DMW Publications: Special Rates for DMW Subscribers

o Briefly Noted: Netscape - pop-up ad blocker, NewKidCo International -
Nickelodeon - CineGroup, "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" - Massive
Software
_____________________________________________

> Events: Eventeurs

> 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 Tinzar Than at tinzar@digitalmediawire.com
_____________________________________________

o Jury Deliberating In Trial of Russian Firm Accused of E-Book Piracy

San Jose, Calif. -- Jurors began deliberations on Thursday after hearing
attorneys' closing arguments in the trial of ElcomSoft, a Russian software
firm accused of criminal violations of the Digital Millennium Copyright
Act (DMCA). The company sold software that can be used to, among other
things, crack the security on Adobe Systems' e-books so they may be copied
freely. U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Whyte instructed the jury that
they must find that ElcomSoft acted "willfully" to violate the DMCA with
its software in order to return a guilty verdict. The judge's instructions
to the jury were closely watched, as it is the first real test of the
criminal provisions of the DMCA and there is no established case law to
refer to as precedent. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Frewing told jurors
in his closing arguments that, "The only point of the program was to
remove protections from eBooks," according to CNET News.com's coverage of
Thursday's proceedings. In his closing arguments, ElcomSoft attorney Joe
Burton countered by saying, "There's not one scintilla of evidence in this
case that they intended for their product to be used unlawfully," News.com
reported. The jury's deliberations continued on Friday.
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-977766.html?tag=cd_mh 
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=1899912 
http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,56832,00.html 
_____________________________________________

o Korean Game Developer NCSoft Acquires Seattle-based Studio ArenaNet

Seoul, South Korea -- Korean video game developer NCSoft Corp. announced
that it has acquired Seattle-based game developer ArenaNet. NCSoft will
pay 18.7 billion won, or about $15.5 million in cash and overseas
convertible bonds for ArenaNet, Dow Jones reported. The founders of
ArenaNet worked on popular online multiplayer games including "Warcraft,"
"StarCraft" and "Diablo," and also created the Battle.net online gaming
network. NCSoft developed and operates the multiplayer online game
"Lineage," which currently attracts the greatest number of concurrent
users in the world. All 14 members of ArenaNet's staff will join NCSoft.
http://www.arena.net/news/pr_11_dec_02.htm 
http://sg.biz.yahoo.com/021212/15/35nhy.html 
http://www.ncsoft.net 
_____________________________________________

o Yahoo CEO Predicts Growth in Subscriber Base, Earnings 

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Shares of Yahoo rose nearly 7 percent on Thursday
after CEO Terry Semel told an investment conference that the company is on
track to pass its goal of 2 million subscribers to its premium services by
year's end, Reuters reported. The services are mainly comprised of
Internet access, personal ads and various email services. Yahoo in the
past has called subscription revenue a key to its future success. Semel
also said that the company expects marketing services revenue to grow by
at least 20 percent and overall cash-flow earnings to increase by 40
percent in 2003.
http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/021212/media_yahoo_1.html 
_____________________________________________

o Google Launches "Froogle" Search Engine for Online Retail Sites

Mountain View, Calif. -- Search engine provider Google has launched a test
of a new search service for Web users looking to make online purchases,
dubbed "Froogle." Mountain View, Calif.-based Google said that the new
search service uses its noted search technology to "locate stores that
sell the item you want to find and point you directly to the place where
you can make a purchase." In addition to its normal search results, Google
will also offer online merchants the ability to purchase "Sponsored Links"
to their sites that will appear on the same page but delineated from
search results. "Froogle is a better way to search for products," Google
spokesperson Eileen Rodriguez told U.K. news site TheRegister. "There will
be no pay for placement, but it will offer merchants a way to increase
their customer base, and to increase traffic."
http://froogle.google.com/froogle 
http://froogle.google.com/froogle/about.html 
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/28547.html 
_____________________________________________

o Former Vivendi CFO Cooperating In Accounting Probe
                                                                          
Paris -- Former Vivendi Universal CFO Guillaume Hannezo is cooperating
with the French government's probe into the company's financial reporting
and has provided investigators with a 20-page dossier on Vivendi,
according to a report in Friday's daily Le Monde. Le Monde said Hannezo's
dossier describes Vivendi under former CEO Jean-Marie Messier as a
"non-stop deal machine". On Thursday, France's financial fraud squad
searched Vivendi's headquarters and Messier's home.
http://shorterlink.com/?1TDS7D 
_____________________________________________

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==========================================
DMW Publications: Available for DMW Subscribers NOW!
November Law & Policy Report | Game Industry Report | iTV Chronicle
==========================================
Contact tinzar@digitalmediawire.com or call 323-464-0793 to order your
copies.
To purchase directly, go to:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplace.htm 

Digital Media Law & Policy Report  (November)
A new report every month - must-read publication on legal and policy
matters related to digital media.  38 pages of case summaries, news and
analysis, policy updates, court filings, and exclusive interviews with
legal counsel and business leaders.
**Special Reduced Rates available for a limited time**   
Price:   $19.00 Per Issue   |   $195.00 Annual Subscription  
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplace.htm

Game Industry Law & Policy Report (published 11/1/02)
Special industry report covering law & policy matters impacting the game
industry. The 15-page report includes case summaries, news and analysis,
feature article and an exclusive interview with Doug Lowenstein,
President, Interactive Digital Software Association.   Price:  $19.00
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplace.htm

For those who believe in ITV - "INTERACTIVE TELEVISION: The Definitive
Chronicle." Covering the period 2000 to the present, this sourcebook
presents a complete history of the news and events that have shaped the
business of iTV since the beginning of the 21st Century. Culled from
countless sources, including the Digital Media Wire database, this 175
pages PDF (on CD) covers all of the major players as well as the legal and
financial issues that helped shape the industry. Key research and industry
projections as well as a host of facts, figures, resources and thousands
of iTV-related links are included. Price: $ 55.00.
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplace.htm

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==================
FEATURED SECTION
==================
Featured Section posting at:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/featuredpostingpage.htm 

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Briefly Noted:

(Mountain View, Calif.) The latest version of Netscape, AOL's Internet
browser, contains software that can block pesky pop-up ads, CNET News.com
reported. Netscape 7.0.1 became available on Tuesday, and comes as other
companies including EarthLink offer their customers software tools to
eliminate pop-ups, increasingly viewed as annoying by Web users. AOL also
recently said it would limit the number of pop-ups it serves its
subscribers; the company will no longer accept the format from third-party
advertisers.
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-977767.html?tag=fd_lede1_hed 
http://www.netscape.com  

(New York) Game developer NewKidCo International announced that its "Dora
the Explorer: The Search for Pirate Pig's Treasure" for Nintendo Game Boy
Advance, based on the Nickelodeon children's TV series, has shipped to
retailers. CineGroup developed the game, which will be distributed by New
York-based Take-Two Interactive's Jack of All Games distribution arm.
http://www.newkidco.com 
http://www.nickjr.com/go/kids_dora 

(San Francisco) Wired News on Friday reported on Massive, a
special-effects software program designed by programmer Stephen Regelous
to create digitally animated soldiers with "brains," who fight the epic
battles seen in the upcoming "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers." The
simulation software allows the digital characters, or "agents," to have
individual characteristics and differing levels of fighting ability. The
agents' brains "define how they see and hear, how fast they run and how
slowly they die," in an effort to make the action look all the more
realistic. New Zealand-based Massive Ltd is now licensing the software for
around $40,000.
http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,56778,00.html 
http://www.massivesoftware.com/massive.html 
_____________________________________________

================================================
CLASSIFIEDS - HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS & RED HOT DEALS
================================================
To Post Holiday Specials:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplacepostingpage.htm 

Digital Media Wire's Gift Suggestions for the Holidays:

-The Palm Store: Free Software & Special Savings!
http://clickserve.cc-dt.com/link/click?lid=41000000000564835

-Audiobookclub.com - The World's Greatest Selection of Audiobooks!
http://clickserve.cc-dt.com/link/click?lid=41000000000555804

-Bose - Acoustic Wave Systems. Environmental Speakers. Quiet Comfort.
http://clickserve.cc-dt.com/link/click?lid=41000000000555807

-Directv DSL - Simply a better DSL connection. Get $19.99 for 3 months!
http://clickserve.cc-dt.com/link/click?lid=41000000000555813

-Totally Fun Toys - Toys that stimulate creativity, learning, and healthy
play! http://clickserve.cc-dt.com/link/click?lid=41000000000556187

-Watchzone - watches at great prices!!!
http://clickserve.cc-dt.com/link/click?lid=41000000000556190

Other Great Gift Ideas:

-Wine Enthusiast - Ultimate Wine Cellar, Accessory, and Unique Gift Guide
http://clickserve.cc-dt.com/link/click?lid=41000000000555777

-Nirvana Chocolates - Delicious Belgium Chocolates!
http://clickserve.cc-dt.com/link/click?lid=41000000000556080

-Eddie Bauer: Quality. Classic. Comfort.
http://clickserve.cc-dt.com/link/click?lid=41000000000554928

-Road Runner Sports - World's Largest Collection of Running Shoes
http://clickserve.cc-dt.com/link/click?lid=41000000000556083

-Feel Good Catalog - Your Source for Pain Relief & Comfort.
http://clickserve.cc-dt.com/link/click?lid=41000000000555917

-Jos. A Bank - Quality Men's Apparel.
http://clickserve.cc-dt.com/link/click?lid=41000000000555991
______________________________________________________

HOLIDAY PERSONAL SHOPPER
I can help anyone in any department with any gift buying needs... or offer
suggestions... be it jewelry, home, accessories, mens or ladies clothing,
etc..and can be reached at 310-550-5900 ext 2007.  GEMMI
______________________________________________________

Rock & Roll One Of A Kinds!

Hipsters Franky & Minx (www.frankyandminx.com) are getting attention with
their tattoo-designed products. There are only a few pieces left of their
hand made cami tops and undies -- which have been featured everywhere from
InStyle to Revolver.  Inquiries: Christina Ward [oranjegift@yahoo.com] or
call (414) 294-4709 for availability.  To purchase, go to
http://www.oranje.us
______________________________________________________

===================
CLASSIFIEDS - JOBS
===================
To Post Jobs: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobpostingpage.htm 

_____________________________________________

====================
CLASSIFIEDS - EVENTS
====================
To Post Events: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/eventpostingpage.htm 

HOLIDAY CATERING...The best staff and food in town!

Eventeurs uses the top chefs and most attractive staff in the business. We
can do an amazing holiday party for you and work within your budget.
Please call Alan Dunn at 323.466.1835 or go to http://www.eventeurs.net
_____________________________________________

==========================
CLASSIFIEDS - MARKETPLACE
==========================
To Post Marketplace:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplacepostingpage.htm 

Only 35 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
_____________________________________________

Etronica helps you "Find the Good Stuff FAST!"

Etronica's unique software toolset enables "Interest Based Navigation" of
Digital Content. The Patent Pending software tools can be incorporated
directly into content websites and portals, installed in TV settop boxes
or integrated as OEM components. The tools drive the automatic tagging,
indexing, and categorization of text. A recommendation engine suggests
highly relevant new information to users as they interact. Personalized
advertising and commerce offerings can also be automatically served.
Contact us to learn more: info@etronica.com
http://www.etronica.com
_____________________________________________

Digital Media Wire, Inc. leverages its integrated media network to provide
exceptional value to individuals and companies determined to capitalize on
the convergence of media, entertainment and technology. Digital Media
Wire, the first in a series of business-intelligence publications,
delivers original daily briefings on the business, legal and financial
developments shaping digital media.

Digital Media Wire is part of the Tech Wire Media Group, an international
network of publications that includes Potomac Tech Wire, New England Tech
Wire, Southeast Tech Wire, Bay Area Tech Wire, Tri-state Tech Wire and
European Tech Wire. The network reaches more than 62,000 individuals from
over 70 countries worldwide each business day.

Upcoming publications, events & information at:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com 

Questions, Comments & Suggestions to:
tinzar@digitalmediawire.com 

News Tips, Scoops & Press Releases to:
editorial@digitalmediawire.com 
_____________________________________________

Editor: Mark Hefflinger
Chief Executive Officer: Ned Sherman
Marketing Director: Tinzar Than

Copyright 2002 Digital Media Wire, Inc. All Rights Reserved.