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World Trade Organization Says U.S. 'Net Gambling Ban Violates Trade Laws

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 26, 2004 - 4:14am.
New York -- In a decision that the Bush administration has already vowed to appeal, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled that U.S. laws prohibiting Internet gambling violate international trade laws, The New York Times reported on Friday. The island nations of Antigua and Bermuda originally brought the case to the WTO, arguing that it is hypocritical of the U.S. to ban cross-border online gambling sites based there while allowing American casino operators to establish overseas online gambling operations for foreign bettors. It is against the law for U.S. citizens to gamble online, and legislators have gone so far as to target secondary enablers like credit card companies, which are prohibited from allowing bettors to set up accounts to cover gambling debts. "It cannot be allowed to stand that another nation can impose its values on the U.S. and make it a trade issue," Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) told The Times. A representative of the islands told The Times that, should the U.S. fail with its appeal, Antigua and Barbuda would be within international law if they were to then raise tariffs on American companies doing business there.
tags: U.S | Trade | Violates | World Trade Organization | Laws |

Bill Would Allow Justice Dept. to File Civil Copyright Infringement Claims

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 26, 2004 - 4:13am.
Washington -- A new bill has been introduced in Congress that would grant the U.S. Justice Dept., which currently only has the authority to file criminal copyright infringement claims, the additional power to bring civil copyright infringement claims against U.S. citizens and companies. The proposed legislation from Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and ranking member Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) would allow the government to target copyright infringers with charges that would bring only monetary fines, rather than potential jail time and a criminal record necessary under criminal cases. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which has targeted hundreds of Americans with civil copyright infringement actions for offering music for download on the Internet, applauded the Leahy-Hatch legislation. "As the recent announcement of the FBI's new anti-piracy warning attests, copyright infringement is a serious crime damaging the thousands of hardworking artists, songwriters and everyone else who help bring music to the public," said RIAA chairman and CEO Mitch Bainwol. "This legislation provides federal prosecutors with the flexibility and discretion to bring copyright infringement cases that best correspond to the nature of the crime."
tags: Bill | Infringement | Justice Dept | Civil Copyright |

Sony: PlayStation 2 to See 10-Year Lifespan; 60% of Sales Still to Come

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 26, 2004 - 4:12am.
San Jose, Calif. -- Speaking at the Game Developer's Conference in San Jose, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America executive vice president Andrew House said yesterday that Sony expects the PlayStation 2 to experience a 10-year lifecycle, continuing to see strong sales through 2010. Sony said in January that worldwide sales for PlayStation 2 exceeded 70 million units, but projected on Thursday that 60% of PlayStation 2 sales are yet to come. The company said that the online capabilities of the PlayStation 2 -- which 10% of North American owners currently utilize -- are key to future sales, as is the company's commitments to accessories such as its EyeToy USB camera for the game console. Sony also provided a glimpse into development on its PSP (PlayStation Portable) device, which it plans to release by April 2005. Developer Backbone Entertainment unveiled "Death Jr.," a title in development exclusively for the PSP.
tags: Sony | PlayStation 2 | Lifespan |

DirecTV Sells Remaining XM Satellite Radio Stake; XM to Redeem Debt

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 26, 2004 - 4:11am.
Washington -- Satellite TV operator DirecTV announced on Friday that it is selling its remaining 9 million shares in satellite radio firm XM Satellite Radio in a public offering priced at $230 million. "We really are focused on DirecTV, the U.S. satellite service," a DirecTV spokesman told Reuters. "We (do not) see our equity in XM as being a strategic asset any longer, (and) in a strong market we took advantage of the opportunity to sell our remaining shares." Separately, Washington-based XM said on Friday that it plans to redeem $50 million in additional debt, using proceeds from its January equity offering. The move comes just weeks after XM eliminated an additional $135 million in debt.
tags: Satellite Radio | DirecTV | XM | Debt | Redeem |

Mobile Entertainment Publisher Dwango Raises $2.3 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 26, 2004 - 4:09am.
Seattle -- Mobile entertainment publisher Dwango North America announced on Friday that it has raised $2.3 million in a financing round led by Alexandra Global Master Fund. Seattle-based Dwango publishes mobile games, ringtones and other entertainment services, and holds technology and content licenses from its Japanese counterpart, Dwango Co. Ltd. The company will use the funds for general corporate purposes and for license acquisitions related to consumer and media brands.
tags: VC | Mobile Entertainment | Dwango |

Game Developers Recognize Best Video Games With Awards Ceremony

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 26, 2004 - 4:09am.
San Jose, Calif. -- The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) on Friday announced winners of its 4th annual Game Developers Choice Awards, with the award for game of the year going to BioWare Corp.'s "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic." Additional awards in the peer-judged competition were bestowed upon developer Infinity Ward, which won Rookie Studio of the Year for its "Call of Duty," as well as Ubisoft, whose developers were recognized for both Excellence in Game Design and Game Programming for their "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time." The IGDA also bestowed its Lifetime Achievement Award on Mark Cerny, for work on titles including "Marble Madness," and the "Crash Bandicoot" and "Ratchet & Clank" series. A full list of nominees and winners is available at the link below.
tags: Games | Awards | Video Games | Ceremony |