Whoopee!!!! The Electronic Frontier Foundation has got Acacia in its crosshairs, Wired News reported today.
The EFF has listed the top ten patents that need to be invalidated, and Acacia's patent on digital transmission is number one on their list. This is a good day for the streaming community.
There's a lot of hand wringing going on about the lack of creativity in online ads, and I can't believe it's due to lack of talent. Look at the great work being done by BMW, American Express, Honda and others. Could it be the technology? Is too much knowledge a dangerous thing?
I agree media folks should be up aware of the latest and greatest techniques. But they have to let the technology people tell THEM what is and isn't possible. Let the ideas flow, and then worry about execution. (I tell this to our clients all the time.)
Creative people shouldn't have to worry HOW something will happen. That's why the guy with the pocket protector gets paid.
I wish I could say it like James Hering did today in ClickZ.
No need to add additional commentary today.
I-Media reports that Unicast has a "second generation" video commercial. It has companion interactivity which allows the consumer to be an active participant in the advertising experience.
Quite a mouthful, huh?
Honda and Saab are the first companies to try these. I'll be interested to see what their creative folks do.
Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age, but I actually agree with someone about something relating to online advertising. Surprised the heck out of me!
Mookie Tannenbaum, founder of United Virtualities, said in today's Media Post that a 10 second spot with interactivity could be the future of the online ad. He even predicted a "whole new industry" springing up around it.
It's gratifying to see people starting to grasp the underlying strengths of this medium. It will take additional time for these ideas to go "mainstream," but, when they do, we'll all have a more rewarding Internet experience.
Acacia Research has struck again - and this time at some big targets. Comcast, Cox, Charter and DirectTV aren't exactly small players in the broadcasting business.
Acacia is trying to extract licensing agreements for digital delivery from these folks reported E-Week this morning. Obviously, Acacia has bigger fish to fry than the "small" players in the adult industry.
They've studiously avoided Microsoft, Real Networks, and Apple as targets. Perhaps they're working their way up the corporate earnings ladder.
Seeing how Comcast, Cox et.al. will respond to these suits will be interesting. (Acacia isn't asking for chump change here.) It's time to determine if this so-called patent is truly legitimate.
Are we really gonna watch full length movies on a computer monitor? Real Networks and Starz! are betting we will for the low, low price of $12.95 per month.
Broadband might be more prevalent, but it still takes a heck of a long time to download a 180 minutes of video. Not to mention watching it chained to your computer chair.
This will be interesting.
Poor Al Ries - he's being proved more short-sighted everyday when it comes to interactivity, TV and the Internet.
Tivo announced today, reported the New York Times, that it's next iteration will allow users to download movies and music from the Internet to their Tivo devices - allowing them to mix braodcast, cable, satellite, and Internet offerings together.
Microsoft, Verizon and SBC are also exploring this space. As the pipes get fatter, our choices increase geometrically.
It just keeps getting better.
Far be it from me to disagree with "sages" like Al Ries, but he is definitely wrong about the future of Interactive television. (As written today in Ad Age.)
Mr. Ries thinks TV is passive, and the Internet is active so never the twain should meet. But they already have.
In spite of the determination of advertisers to make the Internet look like TV - did you see what Eyeblaster announced today? Shades of Disney - some know better. The ads by American Express, featuring Jerry Seinfeld and his "pal" Superman, are the first to explore true intereactivity on the Web and won't be the last. (Keep in mind, we're talking about advertising here - not gaming.) When this ad model becomes more pervasive, you can bet you'll be seeing a migration across mediums.
I also want to mention to Mr. Ries that no one could have foreseen the adoption of Internet-type technologies, like Flash, banner ads, and text layering on television. But they're all an integral part of today's TV experience.
Mr. Ries is too simplistic and not blessed with much vision. As technology continues to improve, devices will become simpler to operate, and people will come to expect more from them.
Mr. Ries should stick to branding, but, then again, I know people who disagree with his theories on that, too.
I used to be one of those who thought Disney equalled magic and creativity. Not anymore, and not for a long time. They continue to disappoint with their lack of leadership when it comes to the Web.
Media Post reported today they've launched a Family Fun TV series. "Shows" will be supplied by ABC News, and you'll require a special player to watch them. (Another player - just what every American family needs on their computer.)
The clips will be free through June. Then, guess what? TV like ads will be "positioned" between the clips. How original.
Perhaps they should hire Joseph Jaffe and get his ideas on creativity.
Acacia held a forum at the end of Streaming Media East where they fielded questions from streaming providers, vendors etc. A wrap-up is on the Streaming Media site.
Bottom line is they're still pursuing patent "violators," and will continue to do so.
Oh - all except Microsoft, Real Networks, and Apple. (Draw your own conclusions.)