Court Lifts Stay on DISH Patent Claim Against TiVo

By
Mark Hefflinger
-
0

Englewood, Colo. – A federal court has lifted a stay on the
patent infringement lawsuit filed by satellite TV firm DISH Network (NASD: DISH) against
TiVo (NASD: TIVO), a move that both sides touted as a victory in the years-long patent
dispute between the companies.

TiVo originally sued DISH for violating its
"time-shifting" digital video recorder patent; DISH countersued TiVo,
alleging infringement of four of its patents.

TiVo notes in its response to the
stay being lifted that DISH’s patent case "has been whittled down to one
patent, a patent on which EchoStar has changed its position on the meaning of
claim terms."

DISH applauded the court’s decision.

"We are pleased
that the court granted our motion to lift the stay in our patent infringement
action against TiVo," the company
said in a statement.

"The patent in this case withstood two re-exam petitions by
TiVo seeking to invalidate it. We look forward to the trial."

 

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/492dqsm
(DISH statement)

http://tinyurl.com/4wh792y
(TiVo statement)

Magic Johnson, Ron Burkle Back Vibe Magazine Parent Co.

By
Mark Hefflinger
-
0

New York – Vibe Holdings, the company behind Vibe and Uptown
magazines, Vibe.com and the "Soul Train" TV property, announced on Wednesday
that it has received an investment from Magic Johnson Enterprises and Ron
Burkle’s Yucaipa Companies.

The amount of the investment was not
disclosed.  

Under the deal, Earvin
"Magic" Johnson will become chairman of Vibe Holdings.

"The
mission of Magic Johnson Enterprises is focused on building mutually beneficial
relationships between corporations and the underserved urban market," said
Johnson.

"Currently the landscape of modern media lacks a platform to
serve this community on a global scale. Through leveraging established brand
equity we will create a pertinent message vehicle for major advertisers,"
and "redefine Vibe Holdings as the center of influence for the coveted
urban audience."

 

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/4w2wmnl

http://www.magicjohnsonenterprises.com

http://www.vibe.com

Socialware Secures $3 Million for Corporate Social Networking

By
Mark Hefflinger
-
0

Austin – Socialware, the provider of a corporate social
networking platform, announced on Wednesday that it has secured $3 million in
new funding, from previous backers including Floodgate, G-51 Capital and
Silverton Partners.

Austin-based Socialware counts nearly 100 corporate
customers for its products, including New York Life.

The platform enables firms
within regulated industries, like financial services, to interact on social
networks, helping to navigate record-keeping, suitability and supervision
challenges.

Socialware will use the new funds for additional product
development and marketing.

 

Related Links:
http://www.socialware.com

SpeakerText Gets $600K for Web Video Transcriptions

By
Mark Hefflinger
-
0

San Francisco – SpeakerText, the provider of an automatic
transcription service for online video, has raised $600,000 in angel funding,
from investors including Mitch Kapor.

San Francisco-based SpeakerText’s service
transcribes online video, hosting transcriptions in the cloud so that users
clicking on portions of text can be instantly taken to the corresponding video
segment.

The company’s technology is compatible with YouTube, Blip.tv,
Brightcove and other Web video platforms.

SpeakerText will use the new funds to
hire additional staff.

 

Related Links:
http://gigaom.com/video/speakertext-funding

http://www.speakertext.com

PlaySpan

By
Mark Hefflinger
-
0

Visa Acquires Online Payments Firm PlaySpan for $190 Million

By
Mark Hefflinger
-
0

San Francisco – Visa announced on Wednesday that it will
acquire PlaySpan, the provider of an online payments platform that handles
transactions for digital goods within online games, digital media and social
networks, for $190 million. Founded in 2006, Santa Clara, Calif.-based PlaySpan
operates UltimatePay, an in-game digital goods commerce and monetization
platform utilized by more than 1,000 online games, virtual words and social
networks.

The company also offers the Ultimate Game Card, a pre-paid game card
available in over 45,000 retail locations.

Visa said the deal complements its
recent acquisition of online payments firm CyberSource and extends its
capabilities in digital and mobile commerce.

PlaySpan has raised over $46
million in venture capital funding to date, from backers including Vodafone
Ventures, Softbank Bodhi Fund, Menlo Ventures, Novel TMT Ventures, STIC
International and Easton Capital.

 

 

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/4v7sjql

http://www.playspan.com

WSJ: Apple Producing Thinner, More Powerful Version of iPad

By
Mark Hefflinger
-
1

Cupertino, Calif. – A new version of Apple’s (NASD:  AAPL) popular iPad
tablet computer now under production will feature a front-facing camera, faster
processor and more memory, among other improvements, people familiar with the
matter told The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday.

The new device, which will be
available though Verizon Wireless and AT&T, also is expected to be thinner
and lighter than its predecessor.

The company declined to comment to the
Journal.

Apple has sold 14.8 million iPads since its introduction last April.

 

 

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/4pll9m2
(WSJ)

http://www.apple.com/ipad

Market Researcher Communispace Acquired by Omnicom Unit

By
Mark Hefflinger
-
0

Watertown, Mass. – Communispace Corp., a provider of online
consumer market research, has been acquired by Diversified Agency Services
(DAS), a division of the marketing and corporate communications firm Omnicom
Group.

Founded in 1999 and privately held, Massachusetts-based Communispace has
produced and managed more than 400 customer communities for over 100 clients.

The company helps businesses gain insights through private online customer
communities.

It has offices in Atlanta, Chicago, London, New York, San
Francisco, as well as Imperia, Italy and Sydney, Australia.

Terms of the
acquisition were not disclosed.

 

Related Links:
http://www.communispace.com

Facebook CEO Zuckerberg Gets Restraining Order on Stalker

By
Mark Hefflinger
-
0

Palo Alto, Calif. – Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg
has obtained a restraining order against a man alleged to be stalking him, harassing
both in person and on Facebook, TMZ reported. Zuckerberg alleges 31-year-old
Pradeep Manukonda has contacted him seeking financial support for his family,
and sent messages to Zuckerberg such as, "Please help me, then I am ready
to die for you. Please understand my pain." A judge has ordered Manukonda
to stay at least 300 yards away from Zuckerberg, his sister Randi and
girlfriend Priscilla Chan.

 

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/4lgell7
(TMZ)

Sprint's Kyocera Echo Smartphone Features Dual Touch-Screens

By
Mark Hefflinger
-
1

New York – Sprint (NYSE: S) has introduced the Kyocera Echo, which it
says is the first touchscreen mobile smartphone to feature dual screens. Slated
for release in the spring for $199 with a two-year service contract, the
Android-based Echo lets users combine the screens to view video on a display
that measures 4.7 inches. The dual screens are also utilized in a variety of
ways, for multitasking and enhanced interactivity with applications.

 

Related Links:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7-20030895-251.html

http://www.echobykyocera.com

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