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RealNetworks Launches Download Store, Updates Media Player Software

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 7, 2004 - 4:09am.
Las Vegas -- RealNetworks, a provider of streaming media delivery technology, announced on Wednesday the launch of a digital music download store, which will sell tracks for $0.99 from a library expected to offer 400,000 tracks by the end of the month. The company also launched RealPlayer 10, the latest version of its audio and video media player software. For a limited time, those who download the new software can purchase their first song download from the store for $0.10. The download store will offer songs in Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) format, like Apple's iTunes store, but currently only allows transfer to portable devices including the Creative Zen Xtra as well as seven models of PalmOne devices. RealPlayer 10, however, offers support for most media formats as well as 50 devices, including Apple's iPod and models from Creative Labs, Nokia, Sonicblue/Rio, Sony and Panasonic. Seattle-based RealNetworks also said that it has signed a seven-year agreement to serve as the digital music service partner for Rolling Stone, and has taken over operations of RollingStone.com.
tags: Downloads | RealNetworks | Software | Media Player |

Macrovision Files Patent Suit Against DVD Copy Software Firm 321 Studios

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 7, 2004 - 4:09am.
Santa Clara, Calif. -- Adding to the roster of companies currently suing 321 Studios, copy-protection technology provider Macrovision sued the company on Wednesday for patent infringement and for violations of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. 321 Studios' DVD X Copy software allows users to make back-up copies of legally purchased DVDs, but has drawn lawsuits from Hollywood movie studios. In its suit, Santa Clara, Calif.-based Macrovision says that 321's software violates both its patents and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act by allowing users to bypass the Macrovision copy-protection system on DVD movies. "321 infringes Macrovision's intellectual property by offering products that enable users to make unauthorized copies that contain our patented process and sometimes illegally bypass our copy protection system," said Macrovision CEO Bill Krepick. "It is ironic that 321 Studios itself employs a sophisticated mechanism to prevent people from making illegal copies of its software, while at the same selling products that aid in the theft of the intellectual property created by moviemakers."
tags: DVD | Software | Macrovision | 321 Studios |

Report: Online Spending Up 35% to $18.5 Billion During 2003 Holidays

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 7, 2004 - 4:08am.
New York, N.Y. -- A new report from Goldman Sachs, Harris Interactive and Nielsen//Netratings on online spending during the recent holiday season indicates that total spending was 35% greater than a year ago. Online holiday shoppers spent a record $18.5 billion online (excluding travel) during the 2003 holiday season, according to the report. The top-five categories in terms of total spending include apparel, toys and video games, consumer electronics, computer hardware and peripherals and video/DVD.
tags: Internet | Reports | Holidays |

SEC Files Charges Against 3 Additional Former Gemstar Execs

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 7, 2004 - 4:07am.
Washington -- The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed charges against three additional former executives at Gemstar-TV Guide, the provider of program guides for digital TV. The amended complaint adds former TV Guide CEO Peter Boylan, former TV Guide CFO Craig Waggy and former Gemstar general counsel Jonathan Orlick to the list of those the SEC believes inflated advertising revenue to mislead Gemstar investors and boost company profits. The SEC last year filed similar charges against former Gemstar CEO and founder Henry Yuen, and former Gemster CFO Elsie Leung.
tags: Games | SEC | Gemstar |

Napster, Target Partner to Offer Downloads, Branded Accessories in Stores

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 7, 2004 - 4:06am.
Santa Clara, Calif. -- Napster on Wednesday announced a retail partnership with Target stores, where Napster-branded blank CDs and CD carrying cases will be sold alongside prepaid song download cards for its digital music service. The company partnered with Imation to provide the CD-R media, and Case Logic for the CD storage accessories. Target.com customers will also be able to subscribe to the Napster service from a link on the website.
tags: Deals | Downloads | Napster | Target | Branded Accessories |

XM Satellite Radio Tops 1.36 Million Subscribers, Gets Airline Distribution

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 7, 2004 - 4:04am.
Washington -- XM Satellite Radio, a provider of satellite-delivered digital radio programming, announced on Wednesday that it ended 2003 with over 1.36 million subscribers, having added over 1 million of those during the year. The company now projects it will reach 2.8 million subscribers in 2004. Washington-based XM also said on Wednesday that it partnered with two airlines -- JetBlue Airways and AirTran Airways -- to offer XM programming on in-flight entertainment systems. JetBlue will add the service to its fleet of Airbus 320 aircraft beginning this fall and on its new fleet of Embraer 190 aircraft next year, while AirTran will offer XM on its existing fleet of Boeing 717s this fall, as well as its new Boeing 737s.
tags: Satellite Radio | Subscribers | XM | Airline Distribution |

AOL, D-Link Partner on Home Media Networking Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 7, 2004 - 4:04am.
Las Vegas -- Home networking equipment developer D-Link announced on Wednesday that it has partnered with America Online to offer AOL members access to multimedia content on entertainment devices throughout the home using D-Link products. Members who purchase D-Link wireless network media players can now access Radio@AOL streaming audio channels on their home stereos; similar capabilities are being developed for AOL's digital photo service. Additionally, purchasers of D-Link players will be given a 6-month trial subscription to the Radio@AOL service.
tags: Deals | AOL | Home Media | D-Link |