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Ruling Shields Privacy of North Carolina Students from RIAA Lawsuits

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 28, 2005 - 6:30am.
Raleigh, N.C. -- A federal magistrate has ruled that two colleges in North Carolina do not have to reveal the identities of students alleged to have engaged in file-sharing of copyrighted songs by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the Associated Press reported. U.S. Magistrate Judge Russell A. Eliason sided with attorneys who argued that privacy rights of the students at the University of North Carolina and North Carolina State trumped piracy concerns. "We would never condone music piracy," Michael Kornbluth, an attorney for one of the "Jane Doe" student defendants, told AP. "What we're interested in is the rights of the individual -- privacy rights being protected." Likewise, administrators at UNC told AP that they were pleased with the magistrate's ruling, although they do not condone piracy. The RIAA has successfully sued over 7,000 other "John Doe" defendants for file-sharing, compelling other schools and Internet service providers to turn over the identities of the alleged copyright infringers.
tags: Law | Ruling Shields Privacy | North Carolina Students | RIAA Lawsuits |

Marvel, Stan Lee Settle Litigation; Marvel to Produce Own Films for Paramount

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 28, 2005 - 6:27am.
New York -- Comic book publisher Marvel Enterprises announced on Thursday that it has settled all outstanding litigation with legendary comic book author Stan Lee, the creator of "Spider-Man," "The X-Men" and "The Incredible Hulk." Lee sued Marvel in November 2002, claiming Marvel had failed to pay him a share of its profits from "Spider-Man" movies and other film and TV properties that utilized his creations. The settlement covers both past and any potential future payments to Mr. Lee; Marvel's first quarter results cite a one-time $10 million charge attributed to the successful resolution of the litigation. "Stan is one of the founders of today's comic book industry. We are pleased with the settlement and are happy to have resolved all of our disputes with him," said Marvel general counsel John Turitzin. Following the settlement, Marvel announced that it has entered into an agreement with Paramount Pictures, to produce its own slate of films featuring its stable of comic book characters. The company added that it has secured a $525 million, seven-year credit facility with Merrill Lynch to finance production of the films. Marvel will deliver up to ten films to Paramount over the next eight years, beginning with "Captain America" and "Nick Fury."
tags: Law | Marvel | Paramount | Litigation | Stan Lee | Own Films |

Sirius Ups 2005 Subscriber Projection to 2.7 Million; Sees Breakeven in 2007

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 28, 2005 - 6:25am.
New York -- Sirius Satellite Radio has announced that its revenue grew fourfold and it added 305,000 subscribers during the first quarter of 2005, while its net loss widened to $193.6 million, compared with a loss of $142 million a year ago. The company posted revenues of $43.2 million, up from $9.3 million a year ago. Sirius increased its subscriber forecast for the full year to 2.7 million, up from a previous projection of 2.5 million; the company ended the recent quarter with a total of 1.45 million subscribers. By comparison, rival XM Satellite Radio now counts 3.8 million subscribers. Sirius also said that cost associated with acquiring each new subscriber was $190 during the quarter, but expects this figure to drop to $145 by the end of the year, and even more so during 2006. The company reiterated that it expects to breakeven in 2007.
tags: Subscriptions | Sirius Ups | Breakeven |

Microsoft, Samsung Partner for HDTV Xbox Promotions

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 28, 2005 - 6:23am.
New York -- Microsoft and Korean electronics manufacturer Samsung on Thursday announced an alliance to promote the high-definition gaming features of Microsoft's next-generation Xbox video game console using Samsung's HDTV sets. Under the deal, Samsung will place over 25,000 HDTV sets at Xbox retail kiosks worldwide. Microsoft also said its first high-definition game title for the new console will incorporate both Samsung-branded products and the Samsung logo. Microsoft plans to unveil its new Xbox during a promotional TV program that will air on MTV on May 12, shortly before the E3 Expo. "Samsung has selected Microsoft Xbox as the best next-generation game console and a key driver in the global HDTV revolution," said Samsung senior vice president Peter Weedfald. "Samsung HDTVs will provide Xbox enthusiasts with the truest high-definition gaming experience available."
tags: Microsoft | Samsung | Deal | HDTV Xbox |

U.K. Game Developer Elixir Studios to Shut Down, Sell Game Assets

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 28, 2005 - 6:21am.
London -- U.K.-based video game developer Elixir Studios, creators of "Republic" and "Evil Genius," announced on Thursday that it has ceased operations and laid off staff, and is seeking a sale of its remaining assets. The company cited the recent cancellation of a title it had been working on for a major U.S. publisher, in addition to "the current risk averse publishing climate." "It is clearly a disappointing day for the team here, and for British independent developers in general, but we were extremely keen to wind things down on our terms and treat our employees and creditors properly and in a professional manner," said Elixir CEO Mark Hewitt. The company said it will use a part of its cash resources to provide severance packages to employees and help them find new jobs.
tags: Shut Down | U.K. Game Developer | Elixir Studios | Sell Game Assets |

Report: 2005 European Online Content Revenues to Reach $3.9 Billion

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 28, 2005 - 6:19am.
Frankfurt -- According to the latest report by the European Information Technology Observatory (EITO), Western European revenues for consumer online content will nearly double this year, reaching more than $3.9 billion (3 billion euro). EITO also predicted that revenues would continue to increase over the next few years, reaching more than $20.6 billion by 2008. More than a third of the current consumer online content market is based on online video, generating more than $1.3 billion in revenue this year alone. EITO said broadband access -- both wireline and wireless -- was the main driver of the booming Western European market. "We are creating very powerful broadband highways, and we have to fill them with real content and value-added services," said EITO Chair Bruno Lamborghini. "Online content is leading the way."
tags: Reports | Revenues | European Online Content |