Humphrey Bogart and Mr. Spock give users a taste of multimedia age to come
Article Abstract:
Pop-culture figures such as Mr. Spock, Darth Vader, Dorothy and Toto are appearing in basic personal computer programs such as screen savers and day planners. Strong early sales of these products are tempting licensers of famous characters, who reap average royalties of about 8.5 percent on every sale. Especially popular products are Berkeley Systems Inc's Star Trek: The Screen Saver and Bitstream Inc fonts based on Star Trek and the Flintstones. Sound Source Unlimited Inc sells a package of video clips from 'Star Wars' and AudioClips, a package of sound clips from various movies. Delrina Inc makes daily planners featuring the Energizer Bunny and characters from the comic strips The Far Side and Cathy. Licensing famous characters can help a product stand out in the highly competitive PC software market, but the hefty royalty fees completely alter the standard procedure for developing and marketing software.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1993
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IBM commits more than $100 million on venture to relay video, other data
Article Abstract:
IBM has committed itself to invest more than $100 million in a joint venture to deliver video, software and other information to residential customers via cable television networks. The IBM project is being managed by VP Lucie Fjeldstad who is seeking a business partner for the joint venture. IBM is negotiating with several major cable television firms, including Tele-Communications Inc and Time Warner Inc. IBM, along with other computer companies, has been attempting to find a means of delivering electronic services to residential customers. Earlier efforts to utilize telephone lines failed, and industry analysts view cable as the most attractive existing technology for data transmission. While residential service is the eventual goal, the new company would first target business users, and expand into the consumer market within three years after start-up.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1992
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