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DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- October 31, 2002
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To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com
o RIAA Wins Preliminary Injunction Against Aimster File-Sharing Service
o Justice Dept., 23 States File Suit to Block Merger of EchoStar, DirecTV
o Researcher Files Suit Challenging Digital Copyright Act
o Gemstar Hires New Accounting Firm; Will Restate Two Years' Earnings
o Sony to Launch Online Gaming In Europe Next Spring
> Digital Media Wire Event: "iTV Visions" | NYC | Nov. 14
> Featured Event: Post-Enron Corporate Seminar
o Briefly Noted: Activision - "Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4," Flipside Network -
RealOne Arcade, Jakks Pacific - Namco - "Pac-Man," Pace Micro Technology -
G-cluster - Thirdspace, Google search rankings
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> Jobs: East Coast Sales Rep.
> Events: NYNMA's Technology Showcase
> 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 RIAA Wins Preliminary Injunction Against Aimster File-Sharing Service
Los Angeles -- The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
announced on Thursday that a federal judge has granted its motion for a
preliminary injunction against Aimster, a peer-to-peer file-sharing
service now known as Madster. The ruling follows another RIAA victory on
Sept. 4, in which the judge ruled in favor of a preliminary injunction and
asked both sides to provide terms for the injunction. The RIAA reports
that U.S. District Court Judge Marvin Aspen of the Northern District of
Illinois adopted the recording industry's proposal in full, requiring
Aimster to install filtering software on its service so it does not
directly, indirectly, contributorily or vicariously infringe copyrighted
works over its network. "The technology to filter copyrighted works exists
and should be used," said RIAA president Cary Sherman. "Other unauthorized
peer-to-peer networks should take note of this decision. Those other
companies involved in illegal trafficking of copyrighted works should also
take advantage of these technologies."
http://www.riaa.org/PR_story.cfm?id=583
http://www.riaa.com/pdf/103002PreliminaryInjunctionOrder.pdf
http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=search&StoryID=1664202
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o Justice Dept., 23 States File Suit to Block Merger of EchoStar, DirecTV
Harrisburg, Penn. -- The Attorney General of Pennsylvania, along with
attorneys general from 22 other states, D.C. and Puerto Rico, and the U.S.
Dept. of Justice have filed a joint lawsuit to block the proposed merger
of the nation's two satellite TV firms, EchoStar and DirecTV. The Federal
Communications Commission has already rejected a merger proposal from the
two firms, but gave them 30 days to resubmit a proposal that addressed its
antitrust concerns. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in
Washington, D.C., asks a federal judge to find the merger unlawful under
federal antitrust laws. A merger of the two companies would eliminate
competition in the industry, despite the two firms reported willingness to
hand over satellites and other asses to cable TV operator Cablevision,
which is planning its own satellite TV service, The New York Times
reported.
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/press/release.cfm?p=EB7643FD-A034-44E2-9B0B30E95A247E70
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/31/business/media/31ECHO.html
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o Researcher Files Suit Challenging Digital Copyright Act
San Francisco -- Security researcher Ben Edelman has filed suit against
filtering company N2H2, asking a federal judge to rule his research does
not violate the anticircumvention provisions of the Digital Millennium
Copyright Act, CNET News.com reported. Edelman, a Harvard student, is
seeking to publish software that decrypts Seattle-based N2H2's
closely-guarded list of websites that it filters out of Internet searches
due to their controversial or obscene content. Its filtering system was
recently deemed the most effective of all those looked at in a Justice
Dept. study. The ACLU, which is suing on behalf of Edelman, asked a
Massachusetts judge to rule in his favor because he allegedly faces legal
recourse from N2H2 if he publishes his findings, hindering his scientific
research. The Digital Millennium Act features a clause that makes it
illegal to circumvent the security features protecting copyrights on a
digital device.
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-963975.html?tag=cd_mh
http://www.n2h2.com
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o Gemstar Hires New Accounting Firm; Will Restate Two Years' Earnings
Pasadena, Calif. -- Gemstar-TV Guide International, a provider of
electronic program guide technology, announced on Thursday it will replace
its accounting firm as well as restate financial results for the last two
years. Pasadena-based Gemstar recently announced it would reclassify $2.7
million of advertising revenues between sectors. The company is currently
under investigation by the SEC for potential securities laws violations.
Company founder Henry Yuen also recently stepped down as CEO and gave his
patent rights to the company. Gemstar said it will replace its current
accountant KPMG with the firm of Ernst & Young.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/021031/310046_1.html
http://www.gemstar.com
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o Sony to Launch Online Gaming In Europe Next Spring
London -- Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) said on Thursday it
plans to begin selling a "broadband gaming pack" for its PlayStation 2
video game console -- which will enable online game play -- for about $70
this spring. The pack, containing the network adapter needed to connect
the console to the Internet, a start-up disc and one online-enabled game,
will also be sold in Germany, France, Spain, Australia and other countries
in following months. Yesterday, Nintendo began selling adapters in North
America to connect its GameCube console to the Internet, but has yet to
announce plans for other territories. Microsoft is set to launch its Xbox
Live service in the U.S. on Nov. 15, and in the U.K. in March 2003.
http://www.scee.com
http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=technologynews&StoryID=1664200
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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
In association with the Interactive Television Alliance
Sponsors: Etronica | 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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==================
FEATURED SECTION
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Featured Section posting at:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/featuredpostingpage.htm
What are businesses doing to survive and thrive after Enron?
Find out on Friday, November 1st at "The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Life and
Liability after Enron," a San Diego seminar designed to answer your
questions about the tough new regulations facing corporate America.
Presented by Ross, Dixon & Bell, L.L.P. and the California Western School
of Law. To register and for more information:
http://www.rdblaw.com/Registration/SignUp.html, or call: 619-557-4329
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Briefly Noted:
(Santa Monica, Calif.) Game developer Activision on Thursday released its
anticipated "Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4" title for GameCube, PlayStation 2,
PlayStation, Xbox and Game Boy Advance. A mobile version of the game for
cell phones also began distribution through AT&T Wireless' mMode service,
through an agreement with Jamdat Mobile. Earlier this week, Santa Monica,
Calif.-based Activision reported record second quarter earnings, due in
large part to the success of its last Tony Hawk title.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/021031/lath045_1.html
http://www.activisiono2.com/hawk
(Los Angeles) Flipside, an online games site that is part of Vivendi
Universal Net USA, announced on Thursday that it will provide cash
competition tournaments for puzzle, arcade and strategy games to
RealNetworks' RealOne Arcade service. The games allow consumers to wager
small amounts of real money when playing online games of skill. In return,
Seattle-based RealNetworks will become the sole provider of downloadable
games for the Flipside Network.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/021031/lath037_1.html
http://www.realonearcade.com
http://www.flipside.com
(Malibu, Calif.) Toymaker Jakks Pacific announced on Thursday it has
licensed "Pac-Man" and other classic arcade titles from Japanese developer
Namco for distribution in its TV Games devices. TV Games is a portable
all-in-one controller, embedded with up to ten games, which can be hooked
up to any television. In addition to "Pac-Man," Namco games to be featured
include "Dig Dug," "Galaga," "Galaxian" and "Pole Position." The Namco TV
Games product is slated for release in February 2003.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/021031/310062_1.html
http://www.jakkspacific.com
http://www.namco.com
(Shipley, England) Set-top box manufacturer Pace Micro Technology
announced on Thursday a partnership that will allow broadband service
providers to deliver advanced PC-style video games with 3D graphics and
stereo sound over its set-tops. Helsinki-based G-cluster will provide the
game system technology, which will be delivered using U.K.-based
Thirdspace's broadband TV enabling technology.
http://www.pace.co.uk
http://www.thirdspace.tv
http://www.g-cluster.com
(San Francisco) CNET News.com on Thursday reported on the growing
importance for many companies of prominent placement in search engine
provider Google's rankings, and how small changes to the way in which they
are calculated can equate to substantial financial losses. "So many people
are dependent on Google's free editorial traffic that it's like food out
of their mouths to lose ranking," Danny Sullivan, operator of
Searchenginewatch.com, told News.com.
http://news.com.com/2009-1023-963618.html
http://www.google.com
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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
NYNMA's Technology Showcase, November 7, NYC
Where will NY's top emerging technology companies - including Juice
Software, Flarion Technologies, Data Synapse, White Amber and Mimeo - be
November 7th? With you and NY's other leading technology executives,
investors and entrepreneurs at NYNMA's Technology Showcase. New this year:
2 business connections services - MatchPoint and Fortune 1000 Face2Face --
to connect you with Showcase attendees, exhibitors and sponsors who could
be your next partner or customer. Register now at
http://www.technologyshowcase.org/registration.html
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==========================
CLASSIFIEDS - MARKETPLACE
==========================
To Post Marketplace:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplacepostingpage.htm
Only 80 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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New!! Advanced Search & Personalization Technology by Etronica
Etronica has developed a unique software toolset to enable "Interest Based
Navigation" of digital content. The Patent Pending technology provides for
automated tagging, indexing, and categorization of content. The software
toolset can be incorporated into content websites and portals, installed
in TV settop boxes or integrated as OEM components into various software
platforms and technologies. An Etronica Enabled(TM) site greatly enhances
the user experience. Contact us to learn more: info@etronica.com
http://www.etronica.com
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Operating Officer: David J. Peebler
Copyright 2002 Digital Media Wire, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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