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Forgent Sues Microsoft for Infringement of JPEG Image Compression Patent

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 22, 2005 - 7:45am.
Austin, Texas -- Forgent Networks, a developer of scheduling software and holder of a number of technology patents, announced on Friday that it has sued Microsoft for infringement of its patent on JPEG Web image compression technology. Forgent's suit follows a prior complaint from Microsoft that seeks to invalidate the patent. It's unfortunate that, despite Microsoft's recent inquiries about licensing the patent, they chose to file a lawsuit, leaving us no alternative but to assert infringement claims against it," said Forgent chairman and CEO Richard Snyder. Forgent said it has generated more than $100 million in three years from licensing its '672 patent to 35 companies, adding that it has sued an additional 44 firms for infringing the patent.
tags: Law | Microsoft | Infringement | Sues | Forgent | JPEG Image Compression Patent |

Lawsuit Claims AOL Chat Room Monitor Seduced Girl

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 22, 2005 - 7:43am.
Dulles, Va. -- A California teenager has filed suit against America Online and parent Time Warner, claiming that an AOL chat room monitor used his position to sexually proposition the girl over a two-year period. According to the Associated Press, the suit, filed April 1, alleges that the monitor -- whose job it was to protect children from online predators -- exchanged graphic images, emails and phone calls with the girl. AOL said that is has since fired the employee and referred the case to law enforcement agencies, including the FBI. It is reportedly the first suit of its kind against an employee of a major Internet service provider. The girl is seeking at least $25,000 in damages.
tags: AOL | lawsuit | Chat Room Monitor | Seduced Girl |

Jamdat Acquires Blue Lava, "Tetris" Mobile Game License for $137 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 22, 2005 - 7:39am.
Los Angeles -- Wireless game publisher Jamdat Mobile announced this week that it has acquired Blue Lava Wireless, the fellow publisher who holds the rights to the lucrative "Tetris" game license, for $137 million. The deal gives Los Angeles-based Jamdat an exclusive 15-year license to publish Hawaii-based Blue Lava's "Tetris" for wireless devices; the company plans to soon introduce the game for the first time in India and Latin America. "Tetris is a killer wireless gaming application and together with our existing content portfolio, we believe we will have an unmatched product offering for carriers and consumers," said Jamdat chairman and CEO Mitch Lasky. "The acquisition will also enhance Jamdat's global distribution strength, and increase our market share in Europe and Asia."
tags: Jamdat | Acquisition | Acquires | Blue Lava | Tetris Mobile Game |

Calif. Senate Votes to Ban Websites That Enable Remote Game Hunting

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 22, 2005 - 7:37am.
Sacramento -- The California state Senate voted on Thursday to ban websites that allow users interested in hunting to log on and use their keyboard and mouse to remotely aim and fire loaded shotguns at live animals. The bill, introduced by Calif. state Sen. Debra Bowen, would make it illegal to create a site similar to Texas-based Long-shot.com in California, and bars the import into California of animals killed through such websites in other states. "It's an over-the-top, pay-per-view video game using live animals for target practice that ought to be banned from coast-to-coast," said Bowen. "Pay-per-view hunting doesn't meet any definition of 'sporting' that I've ever heard because there's nothing 'sporting' about sitting at your computer in your pajamas, using your mouse to shoot at hogs or antelope or any other animal that's halfway across the country." Similar bans are being discussed in 14 other states, while Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) has introduced a federal bill that would ban Internet remote hunting nationwide.
tags: Calif. Senate | Ban Websites | Remote Game Hunting |

Secure Digital Music Distributor Musicrypt Raises $2.4 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 22, 2005 - 7:35am.
Toronto -- Musicrypt, the provider of a service that lets record labels securely distribute content to radio stations, announced on Friday that it has raised $2.4 million through a private placement of its shares. Toronto-based Musicrypt's Digital Media Distribution System is used by over 85% of the Canadian music industry, and was also recently endorsed by U.S. radio giant Clear Channel. The system has been used to secure delivery of over 750 tracks, from artists including U2, Britney Spears, Coldplay and the White Stripes. "This funding will provide Musicrypt with the resources necessary for our continued expansion into the United States and Europe," said Musicrypt president and CEO John Heaven. "We anticipate that this funding, combined with our partnership with Billboard and the endorsement of Clear Channel, will enable us to attain our goal of being the world’s leading secure digital distribution provider."
tags: VC | Musicrypt | Secure Digital Music Distributor |