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Handheld Device Maker Palm Sued Over Wireless Multiplayer Gaming Patent

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2003 - 3:47am.
Milpitas, Calif. -- Handheld device maker Palm has been sued for patent infringement, by a company that claims Palm is infringing by letting users of its PDAs connect wirelessly to one another over a network to play multiplayer games. The broadly worded patent, granted in 1997 to Peer-to-Peer Systems LLC, covers devices "communicating over an ad-hoc, wireless, all-to-all broadcast network." In addition to Palm, Peer-to-Peer Systems has sued Cybiko, a maker of handheld games that can connect wirelessly to one another. A representative from Palm told U.K. news site TheRegister that the company intends to "vigorously contest" the suit. http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/30006.html
tags: Games | Wireless | Handheld | Multiplayer | Palm |

CBS Drops Gateway Digital Music Ad Over Political "Advocacy"

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2003 - 3:47am.
Boston -- The Boston Globe reported on Monday that the CBS television network has refused to air an ad from PC maker Gateway, which points viewers to a website expressing views on copyright legislation contrary to those held by the network. "We don't accept advocacy advertising and this particular ad fell under that umbrella," CBS spokesman Dana McClintock told The Globe. CBS says the "advocacy" it objects to is presented on a website advertised during the commercial, on which Gateway urges visitors to contact their Congressmen to argue against federal legislation that would put government-mandated copy-protection technology into consumer electronics, such as the CD burners it sells. Major TV networks such as CBS and its parent company Viacom have lobbied in favor of such legislation. Gateway responded by saying that 15 networks, including NBC, Fox, MSNBC and VH1, have agreed to run the ad. http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/089/business/CBS_refuses_Gateway _ad_over_Web_address+.shtml
tags: CBS | Digital Music | Gateway | Advocacy |

Hacker Gets Linux to Run on Xbox; Lays Claim to $100,000 Prize

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2003 - 3:45am.
San Francisco -- A hacker has successfully been able to enable Linux software to run on an unmodified Microsoft Xbox video game console, making him eligible for a $100,000 prize offered by MP3.com founder and current Lindows CEO Michael Robertson, CNET News.com reported. A group of programmers calling itself the Xbox Linux project organized the challenge, which was met by a hacker using the name "Habibi-Xbox." The hacker discovered a bug in the popular game "007: Agent Under Fire" that allows the Linux operating system to be uploaded onto the Xbox. Microsoft has targeted companies selling "mod chips," or aftermarket devices that allow Linux, or possibly pirated games, to run on Xbox by altering the device's hardware; the contest's winner was successful in finding a way to run Linux on the Xbox without altering any hardware. http://news.com.com/2100-1043-994794.html?tag=cd_mh
tags: Xbox | Hacker | Linux |

In-Room Ad Insertion Provider Hotelevision Raises $15 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2003 - 3:45am.
New York -- Hotelevision, a provider of ad sales for premium products delivered to TVs located in upscale hotel guest rooms, announced that it has raised $15 million in its first round of venture capital financing, led by WS Investment. New York-based Hotelevision has secured agreements with both cable networks and hotels to insert ads for premium products using its own satellite delivery system into cable TV programming delivered to hotel guests. Network partners include Fox News, MSNBC, Starz and The Weather Channel; the company delivers its ads to hotels owned by Hyatt, Omni, Wyndham and others.
tags: VC | Hotelevision | In-Room |

Video Game Developer Sega Forms European Game Publishing Division

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2003 - 3:44am.
London -- Japanese video game developer Sega announced that it will begin publishing its own titles in Europe, forming a new division within Sega Europe to handle the operations. The company will now publish its own titles in the U.K. and France, while continuing to rely on third-party publishers in other regions. The first titles published by Sega Europe will be "Phantasy Star Online" for Xbox, due for release in May. "Sonic Adventure DX: The Director's Cut" for GameCube and "Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution" for PlayStation 2 will be published by Sega Europe in June.
tags: Games | Sega | Video Game | European |

Nasdaq to Delist Shares of Bankrupt Consumer Electronics Firm Sonicblue

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2003 - 3:38am.
Santa Clara, Calif. -- Consumer electronics firm Sonicblue, which makes the ReplayTV line of digital video recorders and Rio line of MP3 players, said on Friday it received notice that the Nasdaq will delist its shares on April 2 as a result of the company's filing for Ch. 11 bankruptcy protection. Santa Clara, Calif.-based Sonicblue said it will not appeal the decision. The company announced last week that it would declare bankruptcy and is seeking to sell off its ReplayTV, Rio and GoVideo businesses. Sonicblue said then it had buyers willing to acquire the assets for a combined $52.5 million.
tags: Nasdaq | Bankrupt | Electronics | Sonicblue |

Google to Provide Search Engine, Sponsored Links on SportsLine.com

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2003 - 3:37am.
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. -- Online sports news site SportsLine.com announced on Monday a multi-year agreement with search engine technology firm Google to integrate the company's search technology and sponsored links on CBS.SportsLine.com. Mountain View, Calif.-based Google competes with Overture Services in the market for pay-for-performance sponsored link advertisements. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030331/flm007_1.html
tags: Google | Website | Search Engine | Sponsores | SportsLine.com |