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Music Creation Software Firm Notion Opens London Offices

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 11, 2007 - 12:30pm.

Greensboro, N.C. - Notion Music, a developer of music creation and performance software, has opened an office in London. To develop Notion software, the company's founders worked with the London Symphony Orchestra at the famous Abbey Road Studios to record more than 100,000 instrumental sounds.
tags: Music | London | Notion Music | London Symphony Orchestra | Music Software |

Beatles' Record Label, Apple Computer Argue Trademark Case in London

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 28, 2006 - 11:03am.
London - The Beatles' record label, Apple Corps, and Apple Computer squared off in a London court today, over whether the iPod maker's iTunes Store constitutes a breach of a trademark agreement the company made with the label not to enter the record industry, the International Herald Tribune reported. While Apple Computer maintains it functions solely as a conduit for selling music recorded and distributed by other companies, Apple Corps lawyers contended this argument is undermined by iTunes' lack of interoperability, and its selling of exclusive songs and repackaged collections not available elsewhere. "The agreement was intended to say, 'We do music, you do computer software delivery systems,'" Apple Corps lawyer Geoffrey Vos said of the 1991 deal. "The moment you cross the line is when you say you're in the record business." Vos also said that in 2003 Apple Corps managing director Neil Aspinall turned down a $1 million offer from Apple CEO Steve Jobs to buy the rights the Apple Records name. Apple Corps seeks an injunction to compel Apple to remove its apple-shaped logo from iTunes, in addition to unspecified damages. The case is projected to extend into next week, while a ruling from Justice Edward Mann is not expected "for some time," IHT reported.
tags: London | Apple Computer Argue Trademark | Case | Beatles' Record Label |

Online Gaming Software Firm Playtech Planning London IPO

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 21, 2006 - 6:46am.
London - Playtech, a British Virgin Islands-based maker of online gaming software, announced that it is planning an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (AIM). The company, which is controlled by Israeli entrepreneur Teddy Sagi, designs, develops and licenses software for Internet gaming companies like GoldenPalace.com and Empire Online. Playtech said it planned to sell about $300 million in shares, valuing the company at about $951 million. If the IPO goes according to plan, it will be the AIM's largest so far this year.
tags: Games | IPO | Software | Plan | London | Online |

Mobile Entertainment Publisher Mobile Streams Plans London IPO

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 10, 2006 - 4:38am.
London - Mobile Streams, an international provider of entertainment content for mobile phones, announced that it is planning an initial public offering (IPO) on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (AIM). The company made headlines earlier this week when it announced an alliance with Liberty Media, the U.S.-based cable and media investment group owned by John Malone. Liberty Media took a 22% stake in Mobile Streams worth more than $8.8 million. Mobile Streams said it planned to list its shares by the end of March and raise about $10.6 million with the offering.
tags: IPO | Mobile Streams | London | Mobiles |

Rockstar Games Plans London Development Studio

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 22, 2005 - 11:02am.
New York - Video game publisher Take-Two Interactive's Rockstar Games unit, creators of the "Grand Theft Auto" franchise, plans to open a new game development studio in London, GamesIndustry.biz reported. New York-based Take-Two's Rockstar also has U.K. studios in Leeds and Edinburgh.
tags: Games | London | Rockstar | Development |

London Live 8 Concert Ticket Lottery Sets Text-Message World Record

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 13, 2005 - 9:49am.
London -- The Guinness Book of Records announced on Monday that a world record for text-messaging was set when users sent over 2 million text messages in a bid to win tickets to the upcoming Live 8 concert in London, a benefit for African nations at which Pink Floyd, U2, Madonna, Elton John and Paul McCartney are scheduled to perform. Would-be concertgoers sent a total of 2,060,285 text messages, at a cost of about $2.70 each to send, raising over $5.4 million for charity. The previous record of 726,875 text-messages was set by users pledging to the Disasters Emergency Committee's online fundraiser for victims of the New Year Asian Tsunami.
tags: London | Ticket | Text-Message | World Record |

U.K.-Based Mobile Content Firm Bango to Get London IPO

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 7, 2005 - 10:34am.
London -- Bango, a U.K.-based company that helps companies sell content on mobile phones, announced that it is planning an initial public offering (IPO) on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (AIM) later this month. By paying a monthly fee, Bango users can access content using mobile phone bills or credit and debit cards. Channel 4, for instance, is using Bango to offer "Big Brother"-related content to U.K. consumers on any mobile network. Bango said it expected to raise as much as $9 million with the IPO. "The AIM admission and funding will increase our profile internationally and assist in exploiting our scaleable technology platform in new territories," said Bango CEO Ray Anderson. "We are building on the successful relationships we already have with many content providers and network operators and are expecting to see significant growth," he said.
tags: IPO | Bango | U.K | London | Mobiles |

Digital Photo Firm Pixology to Raise $17 Million on London Exchange

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 30, 2003 - 9:01am.
Surrey, England -- U.K. digital photography software developer Pixology has announced plans to raise $17 million through a floatation on the London Stock Exchange. The company provides digital imaging software that lets users to print their images at vendors including Jessops and Dixons, and share and manage their photos on the Internet. The company's technology has been licensed by camera makers including Canon, Konica and Nikon. Lord Young of Graffham, former prime minister Margaret Thatcher's trade and industry secretary, owns a 40% stake in and is chairman of Pixology. The company plans to use the new funds for further product development.
tags: VC | London | Digital Photo | Pixology |

Bam Entertainment Sells London Game Studio to VIS, Lowers Guidance

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 14, 2003 - 6:41am.
San Jose, Calif. -- Video game developer Bam Entertainment on Tuesday announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell the assets and operation of its London-based product development studio to U.K. developer VIS Entertainment. Financial terms were not disclosed. San Jose, Calif.-based Bam also lowered its anticipated revenue estimates for its fiscal second quarter 2003, which for the company included the 2002 holiday shopping season and ended on Dec. 31. Bam now expects net revenue in the range of $22 million to $23 million, less than previous estimates for the quarter of between $25 million and $30 million.
tags: Games | London | Bam Entertainment | VIS | Lowers Guidance |