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EU Objects to Name of Microsoft's "Reduced Media Edition"

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 31, 2005 - 5:08am.
Brussels -- The European Commission has moved to block plans by software giant Microsoft to name the stripped-down version of its operating system "Windows XP Reduced Media Edition." The new version will soon be released in accordance with an EU ruling requiring Microsoft to offer Windows without Windows Media Player. Under the terms of the EU ruling, however, Microsoft cannot take steps that would make the software unattractive to consumers. EU regulators say Microsoft's choice of name could dissuade many customers from buying a "watered-down" version of the product. For its part, Microsoft said it would change the name. "We had originally suggested a name, (Windows) XP Reduced Media Edition," said Microsoft spokesman Jim Desler. "While we believe that name is fully compliant (with the Commission's decision), in the spirit of compromise we have agreed to make a change in the name of the product."
tags: Microsoft | EU | Reduced Media Edition |

RIAA Sues Another 717 Alleged Song-Swappers for Copyright Infringement

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 31, 2005 - 5:04am.
Washington -- The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announced last week that it has sued another 717 alleged music file-swappers for copyright infringement. The "John Doe" lawsuits, filed to obtain the identities of peer-to-peer users from their Internet service providers, include 68 directed at individuals on 23 college campuses. "In a world that is becoming more and more connected through the wonders of digital technology, students need to understand that just because someone else’s property or creations can be obtained easily and freely without anyone seemingly knowing, there are consequences because it is stealing," said RIAA general counsel Steven Marks. The latest batch of lawsuits follows on several hundred filed by the RIAA in December, and brings the total number of individuals sued by the RIAA for copyright infringement on file-sharing services to nearly 8,500.
tags: RIAA | Sues | Copyright Infringement | Song-Swappers |

AOL, Time Warner Cable to Offer Joint Broadband Internet Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 31, 2005 - 5:01am.
Dulles, Va. -- America Online and Time Warner Cable, both subsidiaries of Time Warner, Inc., announced on Monday plans to develop a customized broadband offering targeted at current AOL and Road Runner subscribers. The service essentially will be a special edition of the AOL software with its content and features optimized for broadband, combined with the high-speed connectivity and content of Time Warner's Road Runner service. Under the plan, Time Warner Cable will manage the subscription billing and customer care for its services and provide a share of the subscriber revenues to America Online, which in turn will provide a share of its advertising, search, commerce and select premium services revenues to Time Warner Cable. "This new agreement aligns the strategies of America Online and Time Warner Cable in the fast-expanding broadband sector, and it will enable each business to focus on its key areas of growth," said Don Logan, chairman of Time Warner's media and communications group. The new joint offering is expected to roll out across Time Warner Cable's footprint over the next several months.
tags: AOL | Time Warner Cable | Deal | Joint Broadband Internet |

DISH Network Satellite TV Service Reaches 11 Million Subscribers

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 31, 2005 - 4:58am.
Englewood, Colo. -- Satellite TV provider EchoStar Communications announced on Monday that it has surpassed 11 million subscribers to its DISH Network service, passing Time Warner to become the third-largest pay-TV provider in the U.S. The company said it has added more than 7.6 million net new customers in the last five years; chief rival DirecTV currently claims a total of 18.9 million subscribers.
tags: Subscriptions | DISH Network Satellite TV |

TiVo Software Kit Encourages Developers to Create New Applications

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 31, 2005 - 4:50am.
Alviso, Calif. -- TiVo, a provider of digital video recording hardware, software and services, announced on Monday the release of an open source software development kit (SDK) that will allow third parties to create entertainment and information services for TiVo owners. The company expects developers will create new applications such as rich music and photo services, advanced program and movie guides, sports applications, local weather info and multiplayer social games. Alviso, Calif.-based TiVo also announced a developers' contest in conjunction with the release, which will be judged by a panel that includes WIRED editor-in-chief Chris Anderson, and will award prizes such as a Segway scooter, an iPod and a Nintendo DS to the most creative entries.
tags: TiVo Software | Encourages Developers | New Applications |