Justice Department Looking Into Movies On Demand Projects
from the antitrust? dept
I haven't been following the big studios attempts at pushing movies on demand that much, but they appear very similar to their efforts at creating "Napster-wannabes". The Justice Department is investigating both sets of companies for possible anti-trust violations. It seems that various movie studios are teaming up to back certain online projects that will let consumers watch whichever movies they want (from those participating studios). There's Movies.com (backed by Disney and Fox) and MovieFly (backed by Sony, Warner Brothers, Universal, Paramount, and MGM). Just like the music services, I'm not sure that any of these plans make sense unless they somehow set up cross licensing deals with all of the studios. No one is going to want to remember, "oh, I can't watch that movie on MovieFly because it's a Touchstone film, which is owned by Disney..." Of course, that doesn't even get into the issue of whether or not anyone will want to download movies (but that's a question for another day).
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
hmmm...
Right? Or am I missing something?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: hmmm...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: hmmm...
That's the real difference.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: hmmm...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
MovieFly
Approximately 3 years ago we began the development of the 'Filmfly' business concept and in May 1999, we launched Filmfly.com: a multiple application e-tainment portal, which enabled users to interact with streaming feature film and television media and related advertising, promotional and i-commerce information.
We subsequently established Filmfly Interactive Ltd., which currently serves as a holding company for intellectual property rights relating to the 'Filmfly' business. The assets of the company include: ownership of Canadian and US trade-mark rights for the trade name 'filmfly'; filmfly.com domain name and patent work related to the protection for all the related 'Filmfly' business concepts.
The first of our licensees debuted a system on August 15, 2000, based on our proprietary networked solution, to deliver digital media to conventional movie theatres and FilmFly branded kiosks, within the actual theatre location physical space.
Shortly thereafter, we first became aware of Sony's efforts in relation to the establishment of 'Moviefly'. Soon after, we learned that Sony had registered the filmfly.net and filmfly.org domain names and directed users to the Sony Pictures Web-site.
In June 2001, we were contacted by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) which informed us that Sony's application for the 'Moviefly' trademark had been determined to possibly violate our own 'Filmfly' mark. Contact with Sony's legal representatives then proved hostile as they attempted to challenge our mark; which pre-dated theirs by a considerable amount of time!?!
In August 2001, the MovieFly alliance with the other studios was announced and the beginning of their true intentions were revealed. Sony's efforts to block our trade-name proved to be an effective tactic, inuring our business development efforts, while they went and made deals with our only possible and ultimate potential customers.
Having accomplished their goals, it was of little surprise that as of December of this year, all challenges by Sony to our prior 'FilmFly' mark had been dropped.
Communication with Sony representatives have proved useless, as they either state that:
a) MovieFly is not an operational business;
b) They may not keep the MovieFly name, anyway; or
c) MovieFly as a competitor to FilmFly, is no different than a Burger King to a McDonalds!
Based on our past history, the VOD initiative discussed today by MovieFly, which was first established by us in May 1999, is probably just a stop on the way to full, digital movie theatre distribution in the future, which again, of course is a business we've been involved with since August 2000. Not exactly very original, are they?
In order to properly protect our corporate identity and fairly explain our position, I ask that you contact me at your convenience for verification of the above and to further discuss our situation, and in relation to the DOJ investigation of Sony's efforts in the creation of the MovieFly business.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
John
------------
John A. Vasilakos
Director / FilmFly Interactive Ltd.
Eye2buy Technology Group of Companies
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: MovieFly
As Movielink is an entirely new business there really isn't any issue between Filmfly and Movielink. The problem and blame still lay at Sony's feet, which they are unwilling to wash, before treading on other people's intellectual property. How rude, especially for a Japanese company that has been graciously allowed to conduct business in Canada and the United States.
Fortunately, the same cannot be said for Mr. Ramo, who Mr. Vasilakos was duly impressed with and said after their conversation, "there is not a finer and more respectful fellow in Hollywood. A real class act who has his hands full with many challenges in rolling out his business. I wish him all the best in his efforts".
Despite, amicable relations with the current version of MovieLink the situation between Filmfly and Sony Pictures is far from a decent one and will soon become clearer as to our next steps, upon consultation with the RCMP.
To date, Sony's explanation and position of their part in their behaviour would require a a hugely expensive civil lawsuit on our part to ascertain the true nature of Sony's efforts, since they have been less than forthcoming.
We would remind others of Sony's ways, which we believe are quite shocking considering they aren't even an American company, when contemplating any type of transaction that may or may not directly involve their group.
To be continued....
Sincerely,
J.S.
'what have we got?'
--------------------------------------------------
web keywords:
filmfly, filmfly, interactive, sony, sony, sony pictures, pictures, moviefly, moviefly, filmfly.net, filmfly.org, cipo, cipo, department of justice, doj, john vasilakos, john a. vasilakos, john a. vasilakos, john vasilakos, inventor, copyright holder, founder, president, director, ceo, eye2buy technology company, eye2buy technology canada ltd., eye2buy technology llc., filmfly interactive, filmfly entertainment, eye2buy technology group of companies, fair use, treaty rights, intellectual property, copyright infringement.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: MovieFly
Then which during the TM issue the licensee (TouchPoint) fraudulently voided their contract, moved all corporate assets to Delaware, changed the operating trade name of the venture and vended them into a Nevada Corporation, with which they then applied for an OTC listing for Filmfly, under the new corporate identity.
All the while; Sony had built up their MovieFly business, which at that time was 'top-secret'; not only confusing our marketplace yet then when Sony had also obtained the Filmfly .net & .org domain names from under the authority of the Canadian licensee, Sony continued to willfully violate our copyright for the purposes of commercial advantage and private financial gain; eventually deciding on MovieLink when they finally announced, or decided, just exactly what the Filmfly/Moviefly/ MovieLink business was actually going to end up being.
To that point we had not only lost a $1.5 M financing negotiated for Filmfly, yet the original $1.5 M spent on Filmfly R&D, plus, of course the original Filmfly company and all of its customers, which was now operating under a new name.
We had anticipated that the DOJ investigation into Sony's efforts towards the creation of the MovieFly business would've spoken to this, yet as an Intellectual Property issue this was outside of their scope.
To date, Sony's explanation and position of their part in their behaviour would require a a hugely expensive civil lawsuit on our part to ascertain the true nature of Sony's efforts, since they have been less than forthcoming.
We would remind others of Sony's ways, which we believe are quite shocking considering they aren't even an American company, when contemplating any type of transaction that may or may not directly involve their group.
To be continued....
Sincerely,
J.S.
'what have we got?'
--------------------------------------------------
web keywords:
filmfly, filmfly, interactive, sony, sony, sony pictures, pictures, moviefly, moviefly, filmfly.net, filmfly.org, cipo, cipo, department of justice, doj, john vasilakos, john a. vasilakos, john a. vasilakos, john vasilakos, inventor, copyright holder, founder, president, director, ceo, eye2buy technology company, eye2buy technology canada ltd., eye2buy technology llc., filmfly interactive, filmfly entertainment, eye2buy technology group of companies, fair use, treaty rights, intellectual property, copyright infringement.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: MovieFly was a Carbon Copy of the Following...
Tue Mar 29, 1:47 PM ET Technology - NewsFactor
Jason Lopez, business.newsfactor.com
Electronics giant Sony (NYSE: SNE - news) has been ordered to pay $US90.7 million in damages for patent infringement over the touch feedback technology deployed in joysticks for the PlayStation console. Sony says it will take the matter to an appeals court.
• Immersion Expects To Defeat Sony Appeal
• Sony and Samsung in Patent Deal
• Sony, nVidia To Collaborate on Playstation 3
• Sony PSP Flying Off Shelves - 200,000 First-Day Sales
• Ericsson Sues Sendo for Patent Infringement
Newsletter Subscription
Related Quotes
SNE
IMMR
39.32
6.08
-1.84
-0.22
Delayed Data
Providers - Disclaimer
Calling Future Phones
What's a cell phone? They make movies, play music, pack GPS units, and will do more. They're also a new virus magnet.
The court order also requires Sony to stop selling its PlayStation consoles and other video gaming products found to be infringing in the U.S. But that injunction has been stayed while Sony prepares its appeal.
Edge of the Cliff?
Sony lost its case with Immersion (Nasdaq: IMMR - news) last September. A jury awarded the small Silicon Valley-based company $82 million in damages, a figure that was three times more than the firm’s 2004 revenue of $23.7 million. Last week a court tacked on $8.7 million in interest for a total of $90.7 million. Immersion says Sony made a $7 million payment in mid-February.
Although the language of the court suggests Sony is on the edge of a cliff, the electronics giant is no danger of damaging its ability to sell PlayStation equipment, say industry experts. Still, many wonder why Sony is fighting the ruling.
“Sony sells to a mass market and wouldn’t risk its PlayStation sales,” said IDC analyst Schelley Olhava. “Headlines about court rulings seem to have little effect on whether people continue buying,” she asserted.
Hands Off
In the late 1990s, Sony developed and brought to market its Dual Shock controllers, which featured vibration capabilities. Immersion claimed Sony's product and one by Microsoft, maker of the Xbox, were based on its own technologies and filed lawsuits against the two tech giants in February of 2002. Microsoft already has settled.
Immersion is a small Silicon Valley-based company that has been in business for more than a decade developing touch-feedback technology -- also known as "haptic technology" -- for a variety of applications in medical tools, automobiles, cell phones, and military instruments and training.
Immersion’s haptic technology makes joysticks vibrate according to what is happening on screen during video-game play.
Apparently, Sony appropriated Immersion’s intellectual property for its own Dual Shock controllers in the late 1990s. In 2000, Immersion began talks with Sony over licensing. Sony declined -- but offered Immersion a partnership on the development of future haptic products.
Sony says it cannot explain now, but it will reveal in Federal appeals court, why its products do not infringe Immersion’s intellectual property.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Filmfly
As Movielink is an entirely new business there really isn't any issue between Filmfly and Movielink. The problem and blame still lay at Sony's feet, which they are unwilling to wash, before treading on other people's intellectual property. How rude, especially for a Japanese company that has been graciously allowed to conduct business in Canada and the United States.
Fortunately, the same cannot be said for Mr. Ramo, who Mr. Vasilakos was duly impressed with and said after their conversation, "there is not a finer and more respectful fellow in Hollywood. A real class act who has his hands full with many challenges in rolling out his business. I wish him all the best in his efforts".
Despite, amicable relations with the current version of MovieLink the situation between Filmfly and Sony Pictures is far from a decent one and will soon become clearer as to our next steps, upon consultation with the RCMP.
To date, Sony's explanation and position of their part in their behaviour would require a a hugely expensive civil lawsuit on our part to ascertain the true nature of Sony's efforts, since they have been less than forthcoming.
We would remind others of Sony's ways, which we believe are quite shocking considering they aren't even an American company, when contemplating any type of transaction that may or may not directly involve their group.
To be continued....
Sincerely,
J.S.
'what have we got?'
--------------------------------------------------
web keywords:
filmfly, filmfly, interactive, sony, sony, sony pictures, pictures, moviefly, moviefly, filmfly.net, filmfly.org, cipo, cipo, department of justice, doj, john vasilakos, john a. vasilakos, john a. vasilakos, john vasilakos, inventor, copyright holder, founder, president, director, ceo, eye2buy technology company, eye2buy technology canada ltd., eye2buy technology llc., filmfly interactive, filmfly entertainment, eye2buy technology group of companies, fair use, treaty rights, intellectual property, copyright infringement.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
MovieFly
Then which during the TM issue the licensee (TouchPoint) fraudulently voided their contract, moved all corporate assets to Delaware, changed the operating trade name of the venture and vended them into a Nevada Corporation, with which they then applied for an OTC listing for Filmfly, under the new corporate identity.
All the while; Sony had built up their MovieFly business, which at that time was 'top-secret'; not only confusing our marketplace yet then when Sony had also obtained the Filmfly .net & .org domain names from under the authority of the Canadian licensee, Sony continued to willfully violate our copyright for the purposes of commercial advantage and private financial gain; eventually deciding on MovieLink when they finally announced, or decided, just exactly what the Filmfly/Moviefly/ MovieLink business was actually going to end up being.
To that point we had not only lost a $1.5 M financing negotiated for Filmfly, yet the original $1.5 M spent on Filmfly R&D, plus, of course the original Filmfly company and all of its customers, which was now operating under a new name.
We had anticipated that the DOJ investigation into Sony's efforts towards the creation of the MovieFly business would've spoken to this, yet as an Intellectual Property issue this was outside of their scope.
To date, Sony's explanation and position of their part in their behaviour would require a a hugely expensive civil lawsuit on our part to ascertain the true nature of Sony's efforts, since they have been less than forthcoming.
We would remind others of Sony's ways, which we believe are quite shocking considering they aren't even an American company, when contemplating any type of transaction that may or may not directly involve their group.
To be continued....
Sincerely,
J.S.
'what have we got?'
--------------------------------------------------
web keywords:
filmfly, filmfly, interactive, sony, sony, sony pictures, pictures, moviefly, moviefly, filmfly.net, filmfly.org, cipo, cipo, department of justice, doj, john vasilakos, john a. vasilakos, john a. vasilakos, john vasilakos, inventor, copyright holder, founder, president, director, ceo, eye2buy technology company, eye2buy technology canada ltd., eye2buy technology llc., filmfly interactive, filmfly entertainment, eye2buy technology group of companies, fair use, treaty rights, intellectual property, copyright infringement.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: MovieFly was rolled out the same way.
Tue Mar 29, 1:47 PM ET Technology - NewsFactor
Jason Lopez, business.newsfactor.com
Electronics giant Sony (NYSE: SNE - news) has been ordered to pay $US90.7 million in damages for patent infringement over the touch feedback technology deployed in joysticks for the PlayStation console. Sony says it will take the matter to an appeals court.
The court order also requires Sony to stop selling its PlayStation consoles and other video gaming products found to be infringing in the U.S. But that injunction has been stayed while Sony prepares its appeal.
Edge of the Cliff?
Sony lost its case with Immersion (Nasdaq: IMMR - news) last September. A jury awarded the small Silicon Valley-based company $82 million in damages, a figure that was three times more than the firm’s 2004 revenue of $23.7 million. Last week a court tacked on $8.7 million in interest for a total of $90.7 million. Immersion says Sony made a $7 million payment in mid-February.
Although the language of the court suggests Sony is on the edge of a cliff, the electronics giant is no danger of damaging its ability to sell PlayStation equipment, say industry experts. Still, many wonder why Sony is fighting the ruling.
“Sony sells to a mass market and wouldn’t risk its PlayStation sales,” said IDC analyst Schelley Olhava. “Headlines about court rulings seem to have little effect on whether people continue buying,” she asserted.
Hands Off
In the late 1990s, Sony developed and brought to market its Dual Shock controllers, which featured vibration capabilities. Immersion claimed Sony's product and one by Microsoft, maker of the Xbox, were based on its own technologies and filed lawsuits against the two tech giants in February of 2002. Microsoft already has settled.
Immersion is a small Silicon Valley-based company that has been in business for more than a decade developing touch-feedback technology -- also known as "haptic technology" -- for a variety of applications in medical tools, automobiles, cell phones, and military instruments and training.
Immersion’s haptic technology makes joysticks vibrate according to what is happening on screen during video-game play.
Apparently, Sony appropriated Immersion’s intellectual property for its own Dual Shock controllers in the late 1990s. In 2000, Immersion began talks with Sony over licensing. Sony declined -- but offered Immersion a partnership on the development of future haptic products.
Sony says it cannot explain now, but it will reveal in Federal appeals court, why its products do not infringe Immersion’s intellectual property.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
John Vasilakos
There have been many attempts in the past to subterfuge his warm and engaging personality with the ulterior motives of unspoken agendas and as a result many negative experiences have affected John's company's and his career, unneccessarily.
His enthusiasm though is undaunted and that's why I love the man so much.
I don't even work for him anymore and I admire him more today than ever.
I want John Vasilakos and his efforts to succeed against the negativety he has encountered these past years, and I am using this post as a open forum messageboard for praise and assistance of him; for he is the last person to ask for any of this, good or bad. He just wants to make TV a better place for everyone involved; you, me, them, everybody!
The industry needs John Vasilakos and his technologies to help it transition from it's current day model to it's future version.
Let's give John and the industry the support it needs!!
Jason Willis
--------------------------------------------------
web keywords:
filmfly, filmfly, interactive, sony, sony, sony pictures, pictures, moviefly, moviefly, filmfly.net, filmfly.org, cipo, cipo, department of justice, doj, john vasilakos, john a. vasilakos, john a. vasilakos, john vasilakos, inventor, copyright holder, founder, president, director, ceo, eye2buy technology company, eye2buy technology canada ltd., eye2buy technology llc., filmfly interactive, filmfly entertainment, eye2buy technology group of companies, fair use, treaty rights, intellectual property, copyright infringement. filmfly, filmfly, interactive, sony, sony, sony pictures, pictures, moviefly, moviefly, filmfly.net, filmfly.org, cipo, cipo, department of justice, doj, john vasilakos, john a. vasilakos, john a. vasilakos, john vasilakos, inventor, copyright holder, founder, president, director, ceo, eye2buy technology company, eye2buy technology canada ltd., eye2buy technology llc., filmfly interactive, filmfly entertainment, eye2buy technology group of companies, fair use, treaty rights, intellectual property, copyright infringement.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
John Vasilakos
Case in point, I rememember a meeting with Shaw Communications in Calgary back in early 2000, I think it was. Anyway, what a bunch of arrogant ignorants the Shaw group were, yet through the whole appointment, John was very polite and knowlegable as usual, having a reply to every objection that was flung his way.
Eventually, the engineers finally intimated and I'm paraphrasing here, it was some time ago, along the lines that, "sure, buddy you're well spoken and you and your University students think you're really knowledgeable, but we're putting all our money with Microsoft and AT&T."
John in his usual polite manner replied, "that's your right certainly, yet our research also finds that the Microsoft/ AT&T initiative is unviable and that, with all due respect, is destined to fail within the year".
Those jerks at Shaw just burst out laughing and basically said this meeting was over. John again, in his super cool way, said, "fine yet as you will soon see, not only will Microsoft/AT&T fail yet so will many other high profile entities that you are currently vested into. We're not here to insult you, we're here to offer our service and to help."
They justed started laughing harder and told us to get out of there office, they'd heard enough.
The financiers that put the meeting together were completely embarrassed, which they should've been thinking that a bunch of country bumpkins like the Shaw group would be evolved enough to understand the genius of the Eye2buy Technology that John and our entire scientific team had built.
I'm not exactly sure how long, but I know those goofs at Shaw were still laughing when, not six months or so later did the Microsoft/AT&T initiative actually start to unravel, resulting in billions and billions of dollars in write-downs.
I guess it's true, people laugh for one of two reasons:
1) Because, they think its funny;
2) Because they're nervous.
Now I know why John always had a wry grin on his face when we mentioned the Shaw meeting. He has such a wicked sense of humour sometimes. Good luck with everything John. We're all with you.
Regards,
DM
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: John Vasilakos was Right About SONY
Tue Mar 29, 1:47 PM ET Technology - NewsFactor
Jason Lopez, business.newsfactor.com
Electronics giant Sony (NYSE: SNE - news) has been ordered to pay $US90.7 million in damages for patent infringement over the touch feedback technology deployed in joysticks for the PlayStation console. Sony says it will take the matter to an appeals court.
• Immersion Expects To Defeat Sony Appeal
• Sony and Samsung in Patent Deal
• Sony, nVidia To Collaborate on Playstation 3
• Sony PSP Flying Off Shelves - 200,000 First-Day Sales
• Ericsson Sues Sendo for Patent Infringement
Newsletter Subscription
Related Quotes
SNE
IMMR
39.32
6.08
-1.84
-0.22
Delayed Data
Providers - Disclaimer
Calling Future Phones
What's a cell phone? They make movies, play music, pack GPS units, and will do more. They're also a new virus magnet.
The court order also requires Sony to stop selling its PlayStation consoles and other video gaming products found to be infringing in the U.S. But that injunction has been stayed while Sony prepares its appeal.
Edge of the Cliff?
Sony lost its case with Immersion (Nasdaq: IMMR - news) last September. A jury awarded the small Silicon Valley-based company $82 million in damages, a figure that was three times more than the firm’s 2004 revenue of $23.7 million. Last week a court tacked on $8.7 million in interest for a total of $90.7 million. Immersion says Sony made a $7 million payment in mid-February.
Although the language of the court suggests Sony is on the edge of a cliff, the electronics giant is no danger of damaging its ability to sell PlayStation equipment, say industry experts. Still, many wonder why Sony is fighting the ruling.
“Sony sells to a mass market and wouldn’t risk its PlayStation sales,” said IDC analyst Schelley Olhava. “Headlines about court rulings seem to have little effect on whether people continue buying,” she asserted.
Hands Off
In the late 1990s, Sony developed and brought to market its Dual Shock controllers, which featured vibration capabilities. Immersion claimed Sony's product and one by Microsoft, maker of the Xbox, were based on its own technologies and filed lawsuits against the two tech giants in February of 2002. Microsoft already has settled.
Immersion is a small Silicon Valley-based company that has been in business for more than a decade developing touch-feedback technology -- also known as "haptic technology" -- for a variety of applications in medical tools, automobiles, cell phones, and military instruments and training.
Immersion’s haptic technology makes joysticks vibrate according to what is happening on screen during video-game play.
Apparently, Sony appropriated Immersion’s intellectual property for its own Dual Shock controllers in the late 1990s. In 2000, Immersion began talks with Sony over licensing. Sony declined -- but offered Immersion a partnership on the development of future haptic products.
Sony says it cannot explain now, but it will reveal in Federal appeals court, why its products do not infringe Immersion’s intellectual property.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
John Vasilakos was Right on the Money (as usual) a
Sony in Dispute Over Digital Projectors
03.29.2005, 01:20 AM
There's a showdown brewing at the local movie theater, but it's not playing on the screen. It's in the projection booth.
Sony Electronics Inc., a unit of Sony Corp., last week demonstrated a projection technology for digital cinema that displays images at twice the resolution of existing digital projectors.
Sony plans to begin shipping the system in July, setting up a race with Texas Instruments Inc., whose technology is at the heart of digital projectors already on the market.
The competition is emerging at the same time Hollywood is looking to work out a fair way to roll out digital cinema nationwide to replace the ubiquitous 35mm film projectors.
Critics question how well the eye can distinguish between the 2,000 lines of resolution that current digital projectors have and the 4,000 lines Sony's new projector promises (by comparison, high-definition TV sets show up to 1,080 lines). They also question whether color separation and contrast are any better with a higher line count.
Regardless, Landmark Theaters, owned by entrepreneur Mark Cuban, announced it would be the first to use the projectors, giving Sony a high-profile partner in the quality debate.
"We wanted to be ahead of the curve," said Cuban, who founded streaming media company Broadcast.com and sold it to Yahoo Inc. in 1999 for $5.7 billion.
Seven major film studios working as the Digital Cinema Initiative have adopted standards for digital projection that embrace both the 2,000-line and 4,000-line formats, referred to as 4k and 2k.
Film makers are beginning to use digital technology to make films, including using 4k devices to play back their daily work and store films. For that reason, Cuban says the industry is making 4k resolution a standard and it makes sense to move his theater chain in that direction as well.
"The picture quality is amazing," said Cuban. "And we felt this would be a long-term selling point to our customers."
Sony makes theater sound systems, so it's not new to the marketplace. And the Sony Pictures unit is one of the dominant Hollywood studios. But the so-called SRXR will be Sony's first venture into commercial cinema projection equipment and while the technology is promising it has taken a while to make it ready for the market.
Sony demonstrated the technology a year ago and said it would be in commercial production by winter. The date was moved to March and now July.
Tom Mykietyn of Sony Electronics admitted that Sony used "aggressive forecasts in the beginning," but the larger goal was to get Hollywood's suggestions for the technology. Sony demonstrated the technology most recently at ShoWest, an industry trade show held last week in Las Vegas.
Studios spend $750 million annually supplying copies of films to U.S. theaters and $1.5 billion for theaters elsewhere in the world. Distributing digital films by satellite could cut that bill in half. But doing so without creating digital haves and have-nots among studios, theaters and distributors has stymied Hollywood's effort to create a business plan to roll out the technology.
"We're not missing an opportunity here," Mykietyn said. "I think the whole industry is waiting on a business model. We think we had the time to work on the quality aspect of the projector."
Sony will begin shipping two models of its projector in July. The cost of outfitting a screen around Sony technology could range up to $140,000.
Texas Instruments' DLP technology is already playing in 315 theaters worldwide. That number is expected to top 1,000 in the next 12 months.
"Resolution has become a proxy for quality," said Doug Darrow, product manager for DLP Cinema at Texas Instruments. He discounted resolution as "something engineers measure." What's important to moviegoers and the film industry is perceived sharpness, said Darrow.
"We have never once heard from the creative side of the film community that they needed more resolution," said Darrow. "What they talk about are black levels and color performance and we deliver that."
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
MovieFly, oh how very original, not so honorable J
Tue Mar 29, 1:47 PM ET Technology - NewsFactor
Jason Lopez, business.newsfactor.com
Electronics giant Sony (NYSE: SNE - news) has been ordered to pay $US90.7 million in damages for patent infringement over the touch feedback technology deployed in joysticks for the PlayStation console. Sony says it will take the matter to an appeals court.
• Immersion Expects To Defeat Sony Appeal
The court order also requires Sony to stop selling its PlayStation consoles and other video gaming products found to be infringing in the U.S. But that injunction has been stayed while Sony prepares its appeal.
Edge of the Cliff?
Sony lost its case with Immersion (Nasdaq: IMMR - news) last September. A jury awarded the small Silicon Valley-based company $82 million in damages, a figure that was three times more than the firm’s 2004 revenue of $23.7 million. Last week a court tacked on $8.7 million in interest for a total of $90.7 million. Immersion says Sony made a $7 million payment in mid-February.
Although the language of the court suggests Sony is on the edge of a cliff, the electronics giant is no danger of damaging its ability to sell PlayStation equipment, say industry experts. Still, many wonder why Sony is fighting the ruling.
“Sony sells to a mass market and wouldn’t risk its PlayStation sales,” said IDC analyst Schelley Olhava. “Headlines about court rulings seem to have little effect on whether people continue buying,” she asserted.
Hands Off
In the late 1990s, Sony developed and brought to market its Dual Shock controllers, which featured vibration capabilities. Immersion claimed Sony's product and one by Microsoft, maker of the Xbox, were based on its own technologies and filed lawsuits against the two tech giants in February of 2002. Microsoft already has settled.
Immersion is a small Silicon Valley-based company that has been in business for more than a decade developing touch-feedback technology -- also known as "haptic technology" -- for a variety of applications in medical tools, automobiles, cell phones, and military instruments and training.
Immersion’s haptic technology makes joysticks vibrate according to what is happening on screen during video-game play.
Apparently, Sony appropriated Immersion’s intellectual property for its own Dual Shock controllers in the late 1990s. In 2000, Immersion began talks with Sony over licensing. Sony declined -- but offered Immersion a partnership on the development of future haptic products.
Sony says it cannot explain now, but it will reveal in Federal appeals court, why its products do not infringe Immersion’s intellectual property.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
SONY means F * * K YOU in Japanese
Pay Judgment Or Game Over, Sony Warned
Tue Mar 29, 3:12 PM ET Technology - washingtonpost.com
By Mike Musgrove, Washington Post Staff Writer
Sony Corp (SNE.N). has been warned that it will have to either pay $90.7 million or halt U.S. sales of its PlayStation video-game consoles should it lose an appeal in a case that found it had infringed on patents owned by another company.
Search news on
washingtonpost.com
Immersion Corp. of San Jose sued Sony in 2002, claiming the consumer-electronics giant infringed on its patents with the PlayStation's "Dual Shock" controllers. Such controllers are designed to enhance games and make them more realistic by, for example, vibrating in sync with driving games when players drive over bumpy roads in a video game's virtual world.
A federal jury sided with Immersion last year and awarded the company $82 million in damages; U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken on Thursday upheld the decision and added $8.7 million in interest to the amount. But she also granted Sony a stay while the consumer electronics giant appeals the verdict. Sony Computer Entertainment America spokeswoman Monica Wik would not comment on the matter yesterday, saying that it was against company policy to talk about ongoing litigation.
Immersion originally sought $299 million from Sony Computer Entertainment and Sony Computer Entertainment America. Immersion chief executive Victor Viegas said the amount his company was awarded works out to about 1.37 percent in royalties on $5 billion in sales of the PlayStation 2. As Immersion usually negotiates 5 percent royalties, he said, "it was something of a compromise."
Viegas said he expects Sony's appeals will take 12 to 18 months. "Before that time, obviously, [Sony] could approach us and begin to negotiate a settlement or a license," he said.
Immersion settled another patent dispute on a similar matter in 2003 with Microsoft Corp., maker of the Xbox console. Microsoft paid Immersion $26 million out of court.
Whatever happens, analysts were mostly predicting negligible impact on Sony's business as a result of the lawsuit.
"This is not going to have any impact on Sony's ability to sell PlayStation 2s to consumers," said Schelley Olhava, an analyst at IDC. "Immersion just wants to get paid or compensated for technology Sony used without paying for it."
"It's a joke," said Michael Pachter, an analyst at Wedbush Morgan Securities Inc. Even if Sony ends up having to pay Immersion, he said, "We're talking a dollar or two in royalties per PlayStation. Who cares?"
In its 2002 lawsuit against Sony, Immersion named the Dual Shock controllers and 47 popular video game titles, such as Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Medal of Honor Frontline, and A Bug's Life.
Though analysts said it was unlikely the Sony news had any material impact on game publishers, shares of game-publishing giant Electronics Arts Inc. took a tumble. EA shares opened at $55.63 yesterday and dropped to $52.92 before climbing to around $54. Shares of game publisher Activision Inc. took a hit as it slid from $16.50 to about $16.20 for most of the day.
Viegas said that Immersion's dispute is with Sony and not directly with the game publishers but that they could be greatly affected if Sony loses the appeal and does not pay Immersion.
Sony has sold 33 million PlayStation 2s in North America since its launch in 2000. Sony's latest gaming device, the PlayStation Portable, went on sale in the United States last week. The new PSP game player does not use the type of tactile-feedback technology that attracted Immersion's lawsuit.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
another willful example
or
tags. Previous * BlackBerry Storm review * New Xbox 360 Experience hands-on and impressions * HP Mini 1000 hands-on * Engadget Podcast 118 - 11.14.2008: Cellphone freakout edition * MacBook and MacBook Pro review * T-Mobile G1 review * BlackBerry Storm review * New Xbox 360 Experience hands-on and impressions * HP Mini 1000 hands-on * Engadget Podcast 118 - 11.14.2008: Cellphone freakout edition * MacBook and MacBook Pro review * T-Mobile G1 review Next Play Pause Breaking news Feed * Nokia N96 Bruce Lee Edition: the only thing tougher than Chuck Norris * ASUS Eee Top launched, loved by product waifs and the children who raise them * Microsoft revamps Zune Pass: keep ten tracks per month forever and ever * HP reveals multitouch TouchSmart tx2 convertible tablet * Microsoft ratchets down pricing on flash-based Zunes * Xbox Experience now available to all who signed up, Netflix HD streams too * Qualcomm throws in the towel on UMB, 4G race down to LTE and WiMAX * AMD announces Conesus netbook platform, ATI Stream brand, Fusion processor delay * RED's Digital Still and Motion Camera System now official * Verizon schedules Storm for November 21 release, $199.99 on contract Featured stories Feed * In case you missed our BlackBerry Storm review... * BlackBerry Storm review * Intel Core i7 desktop roundup: the rest of what's new * Goodbye, FireWire 400 * Switched On: Riding Shotgun in a traffic jam * How would you change Canon's EOS 50D? * Ask Engadget: Best HTPC under $3,000? * How would you change the Voodoo Envy 133? * Switched On: The Peek of popularity * Ask Engadget: Best laptop for multimedia editing? Engadget Mobile Headlines * T-Mobile Cameo frame now available for $99.99 * Meizu M8 captured on video looking smooth, doing multitouch * Alltel releases the HTC Touch Pro * Games, movies next for Nokia's "Comes With" franchise? * Nokia N96 Bruce Lee Edition: the only thing tougher than Chuck Norris Engadget HD Headlines * FX / SPEED / FOX News HD comes to Tallahassee, FL on Comcast * Okoro Media Systems ships 2009 OMS-LX100 HTPC * Vizio intros 55-inch 1080p XVT HDTV, soundbar, more goodies * Kogan intros AU$349 Profile 1.1 Blu-ray player for Australia * Pioneer rechristens Black Friday "KURO Friday," won't lower prices Engadget Switched Headlines * Apple TV Update Adds AirTunes Streaming, Support for Other Remotes * Man E-Mails Drawing of Spider to Pay Bills, Becomes Internet Sensation * Google Rolls Out 'Themes' for Gmail * High-Tech Recyclers Falling on Tough Times * Woman Receives First Transplant Grown From Her Own Cells TUAW Headlines * First Look: FlightTrack real-time flight tracker * Creator of Flick Fishing interviewed * TUAW Review: Geocaching iPhone app * Apple TV update 2.3 released * MacBook Pro users getting bitten by HDCP * Give Good Food to your Mac, now with international cuisine * BusinessWeek: HP "out-touches" Apple * Rumor: Quad-core iMacs * Walmart will sell iPhones starting Dec. 28 * MacNN: Snow Leopard could ship 1Q 2009 Download Squad Headlines * Mufin launches public beta with Facebook and iTunes support; licenses patented audio ID technology * Get the "Obama effect" in Photo Booth with the Obamafy plugin * Strewth! YouTube's Monty Python channel gets official * EtherPad: worth giving up Google Docs for? * FlyCast mobile radio app comes to the PC * Google starts rolling out Gmail themes * Yang or no Yang, Microsoft still doesn't want to buy Yahoo! (Anymore) * Casual Collective: Time Wasters from Dekstop Tower Defense makers * Xobni brings Skype, Facebook, Yahoo! integration to Outlook * Statbrain.com : traffic estimates for those with no brain Resources * About / Masthead * Media / Press / PR * FAQ * Engadget Software * Contact us Sections * Announcements * Ask Engadget * Cellphones * CES * Desktops * Digital Cameras * Displays * Gaming * GPS * Handhelds * HDTV * Home Entertainment * Household * Interviews * Laptops * Media PCs * Meta * Misc. Gadgets * Networking * Peripherals * Podcasts * Portable Audio * Portable Video * Robots * Storage * Tablet PCs * Transportation * Wearables * Wireless Powered by Blogsmith advertisement * We'd love to know about your electronics purchasing habits. Please take this brief marketing survey. * There’s so much more you can do when your phone runs Windows. See it all at StartDoingMore.com. Weblogs, Inc. Network * Autos o Autoblog o AutoblogGreen o Autoblog Spanish o Autoblog Chinese o Autoblog Simplified Chinese * Technology o Download Squad o Engadget o Engadget HD o Engadget Mobile o Engadget Chinese o Engadget Simplified Chinese o Engadget Japanese o Engadget Germany o Engadget Korea o Engadget Polska o Engadget Spanish o Switched o TUAW (Apple) * Lifestyle o AisleDash o DIY Life o Gadling o Green Daily o Luxist o ParentDish o Slashfood o StyleList Blog o That's Fit * Gaming o Joystiq o DS Fanboy o Massively o Nintendo Wii Fanboy o PS3 Fanboy o PSP Fanboy o WoW Insider o Xbox 360 Fanboy o Big Download o GameDaily o PlaySavvy * Entertainment o Cinematical o TV Squad * Finance o BloggingBuyouts o BloggingStocks o WalletPop * Sports o FanHouse Main o NFL o NBA o MLB o NCAA Football o NCAA Basketball o NASCAR o NHL o Golf o Fantasy Football * Also on AOL o African-American Culture o Black Friday o Cars o Games o Maps o Money o Movies o Music o News o Radio o Sports o Stock Quotes o Television o Travel All contents copyright © 2003-2008, Weblogs, Inc. All rights reserved Engadget® is a member of the Weblogs, Inc. Network. Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, Notify AOL, AOL News * Engadget * Web * Images * Video * News * Local Search AOL News Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in: Joystiq * Google Lively is dead ... ly * NXE Avatars of the Rich and Famous * Jack Thompson pays Florida Bar $42K Download Squad * InLinks makes it a bit tougher to trust everything you read online * Mufin launches public beta with Facebook and iTunes support; licenses patented audio ID technology * Get the "Obama effect" in Photo Booth with the Obamafy plugin The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) * First Look: FlightTrack real-time flight tracker * Creator of Flick Fishing interviewed * TUAW Review: Geocaching iPhone app BloggingStocks * Next stop for the Dow: Back to 1997 levels? * Analyst calls: HOTT, GYMB, DRL, ID, AWC, AMED, PAY, DCM, GPRO, BSX * Sara Lee (SLE): A buy for tough times Xbox 360 Fanboy * Colin McRae: DiRT 2 is official, arrives 2009 * GTAIV 'Lost and Damned' DLC dated for Feb '09 * X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: A Kingdom for Keflings Autoblog * w00t! The return of the Autoblog Podcast! * Patent filed for DOA Tribeca-based Saab 9-6X * The Detroit 3's problem is really... "vehicle density"? Big Download Blog * Wrath of the Lich King sells 2.8 million copies on first day * Defcon AI creators sought out to "play a game" * Zeno Clash screenshots and details get even weirder Fanhouse NFL Blog * Just About Everybody Hines Ward Doesn't Knock Silly Appreciates How He Plays * Browns GM Phil Savage Would Like You to Root for F*&@#*g Buffalo * Bengals' Chad Johnson Out Tonight vs. Steelers for Violating Team Rules
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
another willful example
or
tags. Previous
[ link to this | view in chronology ]