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RIAA Targets 300 Companies With Network Piracy Notices

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 18, 2003 - 4:57am.
Los Angeles -- The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), a trade group representing major record labels that has led the industry's anti-piracy efforts, has sent letters to about 300 companies informing them that their networks are being used for copyright infringement and urging them to act to avoid legal action, Reuters reported. About 35 percent of the letters went to technology firms, while the rest targeted medical-related or other industries, an RIAA spokesperson told Reuters. In addition to the letter, companies also received a CD that contained evidence of files on their networks being traded on file-sharing networks. "We strongly urge you to take immediate steps to prevent the continued infringement of our members' sound recordings on your corporate network. these acts of infringement could expose your employees and your company to significant legal damages," the letter said. Several months ago the RIAA sent a letter to Fortune 1000 companies, informing them of the importance of ensuring their networks are not used by employees for copyright infringement. http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=internetNews&storyID=2395946
tags: Companies | RIAA | Notices |

Satellite TV Firm DirecTV Latin America Files for Bankruptcy

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 18, 2003 - 4:56am.
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. -- DirecTV Latin America, a subsidiary of Hughes Electronics that serves 1.6 million satellite TV subscribers in 28 countries, announced on Tuesday that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company also announced the retirement of chairman Kevin N. McGrath, to be replaced by Eddy W. Hartenstein, and the appointment of Larry N. Chapman as its new president and chief operating officer. The company -- which blamed its current situation on "excessive fixed costs and a substantial debt burden during a time of economic deterioration throughout Latin America" -- will continue normal operations during the process, due in part to a new $300 million debtor-in-possession financing package from parent company Hughes.
tags: DirecTV | Satellite TV | Latin America | Bankruptcy |

Sega to Produce "Sonic the Hedgehog" Animated TV Series

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 18, 2003 - 4:55am.
Tokyo -- Sega plans to launch an animated children's TV series based on its flagship "Sonic the Hedgehog" video game franchise, which has sold 32 million units worldwide, Reuters reported on Tuesday. "We would like to make Sonic as big as Pokemon," Yuji Naka, head of Sega's Sonic development team, told Reuters -- referring to Nintendo's immensely popular children's TV series and trading card/video game franchise. Starting in April, Japanese broadcaster TV Tokyo will air the Sonic program there on Sunday mornings; the program will begin airing in the U.S. and Europe in the fall. Although a "Sonic" series already airs in the U.S., Sega said it will play a larger role in the new series' production. http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=2397908
tags: Sega | TV Series | Sonic the Hedgehog |

Internet Measurement Firm NetRatings Sues Rival NPD Group

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 18, 2003 - 4:55am.
New York -- NetRatings, a provider of Internet audience measurement and analysis services, announced that it has filed a patent infringement suit against The NPD Group, a firm that provides similar statistical data on Internet audiences. New York-based NetRatings said that NPD is using methods for computer use tracking that infringe on its patented proprietary technology, and seeks an injunction against NPD and unspecified monetary damages for past use of the technology. "Our patents provide the foundation for current and future products and services that address the needs of an evolving industry, and it is critical that NetRatings protect these important assets," said NetRatings president and CEO William Pulver.
tags: Internet | NPD | Rival | NetRatings |

Wireless Entertainment Provider Ztango Merges with MobileSpring

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 18, 2003 - 4:51am.
Reston, Va. -- Reston-based Ztango, a provider of wireless multimedia services, said on Tuesday that it has merged with New York-based MobileSpring, a maker of messaging products. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The combined company will retain the Ztango name. The two companies' wireless messaging and multimedia products are currently used by carriers that represent more than 70 percent of the U.S. wireless marketplace. The two companies said they have already begun integrating their operations, technology and management teams. Ztango's software allows network providers, media companies, portals and wireless device manufacturers to deliver revenue-generating wireless media services, including music, ringtones, photographs, games, animations and multimedia.
tags: Wireless | Ztango | MobileSpring |

Ad Insertion Technology Developer Lightningcast Raises Funding

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 18, 2003 - 4:51am.
Alexandria, Va. -- Lightningcast, a provider of ad insertion technology and services to the Internet broadcast market, said on Monday that it has closed an undisclosed amount of funding with existing investors Nokia Venture Partners, Redleaf Group and Birchmere Ventures. The company said that the round should adequately fund all of its future investment capital needs. Lightningcast provides advertising technology and services to major media companies that deliver audio or video programming over the Internet -- the technology seamlessly inserts ads into existing content.
tags: VC | Lightningcast | Insertion Technology |

Interactive TV Firm Liberate Hires Former InterTrust Chief Executive

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 18, 2003 - 4:49am.
San Carlos, Calif. -- Liberate Technologies, a provider of interactive TV software and services, on Monday named David Lockwood as chairman and CEO. Lockwood, a venture capitalist and Liberate investor who most recently served as the president and CEO of InterTrust Technologies, takes over for Mitchell Kertzman, who will remain on the board. The company also named former InterTrust chief financial officer Greg Woods as its new CFO, replacing Kent Walker. San Carlos, Calif.-based Liberate is currently the subject of a formal SEC investigation into its accounting practices, and was delisted from the Nasdaq earlier this year.
tags: TV | Interactive | Liberate | Chief Executive |