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Proposed Law Would Label All Copy-Protected CDs, Other Media

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 26, 2003 - 4:07am.
Washington -- A new bill introduced into Congress this week would put labels on all copy-protected media and devices notifying consumers of the limitations placed on their ability to freely make copies of digital media. Sen. Ron Wyden's (D-Ore.) Digital Consumer Right-to-Know Act would place the burden of devising a labeling scheme on the Federal Trade Commission, so that consumers buying CDs, DVDs, software and other digital media and the devices that play them would be informed if technology has been embedded in them that would prevent making back-up copies or personal use copies. "My bill says that if digital content is released in a form that prevents or limits reasonable consumer use, consumers have a right to be told in advance," Wyden said in a statement. The Digital Consumer Right-To-Know Act is expected to be referred to the Senate Commerce Committee, on which Wyden sits.
tags: CDs | Other Media | Copy-Protected | Proposed Law |

Movielink Adds Films from Artisan to Video-on-Demand Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 26, 2003 - 4:07am.
Santa Monica, Calif. -- Movielink, an Internet-based video-on-demand service joint venture between five Hollywood movie studios, announced on Wednesday the first signing of a license agreement from a studio outside its founding members. Artisan Entertainment has licensed movies from its library for delivery on Movielink, with Roman Polanski's "The Ninth Gate" being the first title available for download. Santa Monica, Calif.-based Movielink also announced that it will now offer films in Microsoft Media 9 Series and RealNetworks RealVideo 9 formats. The founding studio members of Movielink, which also provide films for the service are MGM, Paramount, Sony, Universal and Warner Bros. http://www.movielink.com
tags: Movies | Movielink | Video-on-Demand | Artisan |

Telecom Heavyweights Discuss Broadband Entertainment Model

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 26, 2003 - 4:06am.
London -- Some of the world's biggest broadband DSL providers and consumer electronics vendors this week announced their aim to create an open, standardized model for broadband interactive entertainment. The group is composed of such well-known telecommunications groups as Alcatel, Belgacom, Philips Consumer Electronics, Bluewin/Swisscom, Telecom Italia, Telefonica, Telekom Austria and Thomson. The group is currently developing a model for the profitable provision of broadband entertainment services for each member.
tags: Broadband | Telecom | Entertainment | Heavyweights |

FullAudio Launches New Service Offering Downloadable Tracks

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 26, 2003 - 4:03am.
Chicago -- FullAudio, a provider of branded digital music subscription services, announced on Wednesday the launch of MusicNow, a new offering that allows subscribers to download unlimited tracks and purchase permanent downloads for $0.99 each. The company announced new licensing agreements with Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Bertelsmann Music Group that will add 200,000 downloadable tracks to MusicNow. The service, which also offers 36 pre-programmed radio channels, will be offered for $9.95 per month through distribution partners including Charter Communications, Clear Channel Communications, Earthlink and Microsoft's Windows Media Player. http://www.fullaudio.com
tags: Downloads | New Service | FullAudio |

Game Developer 3DO Gets New $10 Million Credit Facility

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 26, 2003 - 4:02am.
Redwood City, Calif. -- Video game developer 3DO announced on Wednesday that it has secured a new $10 million credit facility with IIG Capital, which was completed and funded last week. Initially, the company has drawn down approximately $4 million against the line, which it will use primarily to purchase inventory of new game releases. Earlier this month, the company said it raised $500,000 through a private placement of its stock with investors. Redwood City, Calif.-based 3DO has also received $10 million in financial support from CEO Trip Hawkins. The company said it has struggled with recent weak sales for its Nintendo GameCube titles and also was not able to fulfill some inventory orders on time due to cash shortages.
tags: Games | Credit Facility | 3DO |