archives

o Four Million Excite@Home Customers Could Go Offline Friday
o Judge Dismisses Felten's Claim that RIAA Threatened Research
o Andreas Schmidt Resigns Amid Bertelsmann ECommerce Group Restructuring
o Interactive TV Firm Wink Creating Voting System; Forms Pact With ABC
o Sonicblue to Distribute ReplayTV Despite Pending Network Lawsuits
o Motorola to Make AOLTV Services Available on Set-Top Boxes
o RioPort Adding Subscription Service to Online Music Offering
o Briefly Noted: Liberate - Cablemas - Tele-Media, MoodLogic - Sonicblue,
Sony PS one - 5" screen, InformTV, AOL - EarthLink - Los Angeles
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> Job Postings: Technology Agent, Online Ad Sales Mgr., Web Research
Assistant, Web Designer

> Events/Services: "Music Videos and Movie Trailers on CD-ROM,"
"Avail. for Hire," "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
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o Four Million Excite@Home Customers Could Go Offline Friday

Redwood City, Calif. -- Bankrupt high-speed Internet access provider
Excite@Home has informed many of its customers that it may have to suspend
their service on Friday if it cannot reach new agreements with the many
cable companies to which it provides services. A bankruptcy judge will
decide on Friday -- when interim agreements with cable companies such as
Cox and Comcast expire -- whether or not to turn off service to the
Excite@Home's 4.1 million subscribers. "It depends on the decision of the
judge, Excite@Home spokeswoman Stephanie Xavier told Reuters. "All I can
say is we're in active negotiations with the cable companies. We're doing
all that we can to maintain service." AT&T has bid $307 million for
Redwood City-based Excite@Home's assets, a figure considered too low by
several groups of the company's shareholders, who have launched legal
challenges against the bid.
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20011127/wr/tech_excitehome_dc_4.html
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1004-200-7996444.html?tag=cd_mh
http://www.home.net
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o Judge Dismisses Felten's Claim that RIAA Threatened Research

Washington, D.C. -- A federal judge has dismissed a claim by a researcher
who alleged the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
threatened him with litigation should he publish research detailing flaws
in digital audio security technologies, Newsbytes reported. Civil
liberties groups including the Electronic Frontier Foundation represented
Princeton's Edward Felten in the case, which in addition to seeking a
judge's ruling saying that the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)
should not be used to quell research, also sought to have parts of the
DMCA declared unconstitutional. "We are happy that the court recognized
what we have been saying all along: there is no dispute here," RIAA
general counsel Cary Sherman said in a statement. "As we have said time
and again, Professor Felten is free to publish his findings." Felten
participated in a recording industry-sponsored challenge to hack the
security technology in question; when successful, he claims to have
received threats of legal action from the RIAA if he published his
findings.
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/172505.html
http://www.eff.org/Legal/Cases/Felten_v_RIAA/20011025_eff_felten_pr.html
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o Andreas Schmidt Resigns Amid Bertelsmann ECommerce Group Restructuring

New York -- Bertelsmann announced on Wednesday a restructuring of its
eCommerce Group -- the division that oversees the company's association
with Napster -- that includes the resignation of president and CEO Andreas
Schmidt, considered largely responsible for the Napster deal. The
relationship with Napster, along with the company's BMG record club, CDNOW
online retailer and Myplay locker service, will now be managed through
DirectGroup Bertelsmann. Schmidt said that he will pursue new
entrepreneurial opportunities outside Bertelsmann. "Andreas Schmidt has
made an essential contribution to the development of digital distribution
with his ideas and initiatives," said DirectGroup Bertelsmann CEO Klaus
Eierhoff. "He has played a major role in making Bertelsmann the
internationally leading enterprise in digital music distribution today."
http://search.prnmedia.com/servlet/pressroomsrv?pressid=238480&detail=story
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o Interactive TV Firm Wink Creating Voting System; Forms Pact With ABC

Alameda, Calif. -- Interactive TV developer Wink Communications said on
Wednesday that it is developing an alternative voting system that would be
accessible through Wink-enabled set-top boxes for interactive television.
Cable TV operator Charter Communications, which has partnered with Wink on
other initiatives, says it supports the idea. "This innovative feature
works very well with our overall broadband strategy, as it is another
opportunity for Charter to provide a valuable service to the communities
we serve," said Charter CEO Carl Vogel. Alamedia-based Wink also announced
on Wednesday that the ABC television network will use its technology to
create interactive programming and advertising. Yesterday, Alameda-based
Wink joined a growing number of companies to have been served with a class
action lawsuit related to its IPO.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011128/sfw063_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/011127/272694_1.html
http://www.wink.com
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o Sonicblue to Distribute ReplayTV Despite Pending Network Lawsuits

Santa Clara, Calif. -- Consumer electronics manufacturer Sonicblue said on
Wednesday that it will commence shipping its ReplayTV 4000 devices this
week, despite lawsuits launched by the major TV networks against the
company alleging the device enables copyright infringement. "The ReplayTV
4000 is so good the networks don't want consumers to have it," said
Sonicblue CEO Ken Potashner. "It is ironic that the entertainment industry
presented us with an Emmy Award for the advancement of television, and a
couple of months later decided that we may have advanced it too much." The
networks' claim that the device hurts its advertising revenue because it
allows users to skip commercials, as well as illegally share programming
with one another over the Internet. "The ReplayTV 4000 doesn't allow
indiscriminate and anonymous file trading over the Internet, our SendShow
feature permits only limited sending of non-protected shows to friends and
family who own ReplayTV 4000 devices, Potashner added. "Commercials are
not deleted by our device, we give consumers the choice of whether to
watch their recorded shows with or without commercials."
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/011128/280070_1.html
http://www.replaytv.com/partners_products/replaytv.htm
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o Motorola to Make AOLTV Services Available on Set-Top Boxes

Anaheim, Calif. -- Motorola announced on Wednesday at the Western Cable
Show that it has partnered with AOL to make AOLTV services available on
Motorola-designed set-top boxes for interactive television. The two
companies will make AOLTV services such as email and instant messaging
available as a software download to Motorola set-top box owners. Motorola
also announced on Wednesday the release of a portable wireless terminal
that can be used to access interactive programming features separately,
while watching the broadcast on a television. The EVr-8401 Enhanced TV
Viewer can access data from the Internet through a high-speed connection,
and users can interact either via the device's touch-screen interface, a
wireless keyboard, or on-screen handwriting recognition.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011128/hsw013_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011128/hsw014_1.html
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o RioPort Adding Subscription Service to Online Music Offering

San Jose, Calif. -- RioPort, a provider of music download retail
technology, announced on Wednesday that it will add a subscription service
similar to the major labels' MusicNet and Pressplay to its offering in
early 2002. The subscription feature, which will be added to its PulseOne
Service, will allow consumers to "rent" songs by downloading them to their
hard drive. The songs will expire once the subscription lapses. Currently,
consumers can purchase songs through a "buy it" feature and can stream
songs through a "try it" feature on the PulseOne Service. The company has
deals with all five record labels to offer a limited selection of songs on
its current service, which is distributed through BestBuy.com,
Hewlett-Packard, MTV.com, VH1.com, HOB.com, Radio Free Virgin and
Sonicblue. San Jose-based RioPort also announced on Wednesday that it will
provide technology to Sanyo that lets consumers purchase music and
download it directly to that company's SSP-PD10 portable digital audio
player.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/213320103&ticker=
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/213320110&ticker=
http://www.rioport.com
http://www.sanyo.co.jp/koho/hypertext4/0109news-j/0913-1.html
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o Briefly Noted:

(San Carlos, Calif.) Liberate Technologies, a provider of operating system
software for interactive television set-top boxes, announced on Wednesday
that with partner MiracleTV it will provide iTV services to Cablemas,
Mexico's third-largest cable TV operator. A video-on-demand service will
initially be offered in 2002 to resort cities served by Cablemas. San
Carlos-based Liberate also announced an agreement on Wednesday to provide
iTV services to Delaware-based Tele-Media's 250,000 subscribers. Trials
will begin in December, with plans for commercial deployment during 2002.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011128/sfw069_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011128/sfw039_1.html
http://www.miracletv.com
http://www.tele-media.com
http://www.liberate.com

(San Francisco) MoodLogic, a provider of personalization and management
software for digital music collections, announced on Wednesday that
consumer electronics manufacturer Sonicblue has licensed its technology.
Sonicblue will implement San Francisco-based MoodLogic's software into
current and future designs of its Rio MP3 players.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/213320190&ticker=
http://www.moodlogic.com
http://www.riohome.com

(Foster City, Calif.) Sony Computer Entertainment America announced on
Wednesday the release of a five-inch LCD screen peripheral for its
smaller, re-designed PS one game console. The screen -- which costs $129
on its own or $199 when bundled with the PS one -- lets users play
PlayStation games without the need for a television.
http://search.prnmedia.com/servlet/pressroomsrv?pressid=238611&detail=story
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011128/SFW062

(Lowell, Mass.) InformTV, a developer of interactive TV programming, said
on Wednesday that it will begin its first consumer trial on Blue Ridge
Communications' system in Pennsylvania. Massachusetts-based InformTV's
software can be downloaded to Pioneer or Scientific-Atlanta set-top boxes
and lets users access sports scores and other content regardless of what
they are watching on TV.
http://www.inform.tv
http://www.brctv.com

(Dulles, Va.) AOL and EarthLink separately announced on Wednesday the
launch of high-speed Internet access services on Time Warner Cable's lines
in Los Angeles. AOL Time Warner is required under the stipulations imposed
on its merger by the U.S. government to offer a competitor's services over
its cable lines within 90 days of offering AOL's service.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/011128/282436_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/011128/280106_1.html

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Job Postings:
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To Post Jobs: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobs.html

> Ramprate - Technology Agent

Looking for people to market and manage our unique services to the
Enterprise and Major Media Markets. Streaming media, hosting, co-location,
managed services, or CDN. Duties - prospecting new business, managing
existing clients and current client overflow worldwide, Qualify business
goals. Require large deal size sales and account mgmt experience,
Bachelors degree, Target first year from 150k-1,000,000 +, FT/Half time in
our offices and or home office, Territories - LA, Austin, Seattle, New
York, DC, San Francisco. Send resumes to Scott@ramprate.com or visit
http://www.ramprate.com/about_tech_agent.php
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> 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
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> 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
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> 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

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Events/Services Postings:
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To Post Events/Services: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events.html

> Music Videos and Movie Trailers on CD-ROM

Arista, Atlantic, Warner Brothers and Columbia Pictures are participating
in the November launch of BestPreviews - a FREE CD-ROM that contains music
videos, movie trailers and software. RFM Broadcasting developed an
innovative marketing platform that enables Internet users to view
broadcast quality video. The company seeks angel investors. Send Inquiries
to andrew@rfmitv.com
or visit http://www.rfmitv.com
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> 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
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> 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:

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
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> 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.
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> 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