The Associated Press announced that it will require websites to obtain permission in order to use AP and member publications content on site. The decision is a direct move to stop search engines and news aggregators, like Google and Huffington Post, from using AP sanctioned copy. The news wire company is developing a system to track articles online, which it hopes will protect articles from being published illegally on other sites.
IBM has withdrew its $7 billion bid for Sun Microsystems. Late-stage talks between the two companies grew weary after Sun rejected a bid from International Business Machines. Sun, whose market value is well below IBM's bid, may have trouble finding another bidder, as tensions amongst board members have made investors weary of the micro-chip manufacturer.
CNET is reporting that Sony and YouTube are in talks to distribute full-length feature films on the streaming video site. While details are scant, full-length movies would help YouTube generate higher ad rates, and compete with Hulu, who offers feature length films. If true, Sony would follow MGM in signing full length distribution deals with YouTube.
NBCU has launched "NBC in Transit" on PATH trains and station platforms in North Jersey communities connected to Manhattan. The move comes after NBC launched a focus on local programming in the metropolitan area, including its new cable channel NY Nonstop and the NBC "taxicasts." NBC Everywhere SVP/GM Mark French noted "The ability to tailor PATH screens based on the time of day or train platform provides an innovative way for our advertisers to deliver their message alongside relevant, customized, and entertaining NBCU content."
Ticketmaster has been subpoenaed by the Department of Justice, FTC and NJ Attorney General's office over its TicketsNow division. TicketsNow is a ticket reseller owned by Ticketmaster, which auctions off tickets to events to the highest bidder. NY Senator Chuck Schumer will introduce a bill this week that would limit secondary sales of tickets by brokers like Ticketmaster.
Shelly Palmer is a consultant and the host of MediaBytes with Shelly Palmer a daily show featuring news you can use about technology, media & entertainment. He is Managing Director of Advanced Media Ventures Group LLC and the author of Television Disrupted: The Transition from Network to Networked TV (2008, York House Press) and the upcoming, Get Digital: Reinventing Yourself and Your Career for the 21st Century Economy (2009, Lake House Press). Shelly is also President of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, NY (the organization that bestows the coveted Emmy Awards). You can join the MediaBytes mailing list here. Shelly can be reached at shelly@palmer.net For information about Get Digital Classes, visit www.shellypalmer.com/seminars