We know broadband is mainstream now - the WB Network used the Net to provide its viewers with commercial free viewing of its new offering, The Mountain. And 19 of its affiliates actually ran promos for the Internet download during the week prior to its premiere on the tube. (See I-Media Connection for more details.)
Just a few years ago, people would've laughed at the thought of this. Now, we have broadband in over 80% of our workplaces and more than 51% of our homes. And its growth continues.
Broadband promises all of us a much greater view of the world. Entertainment aside, the possibilities for education and communication become more than "pie in the sky" dreams for a few brave first movers. Convergence will make enormous leaps as broadband penetrates ever deeper into our everyday lives.
An exciting time...
Pointroll announced new features today which allow users to easily interact with its ads. (Reported by ClickZ.)
Even though the interactivity is fairly basic, it's useful. There's an e-mail reminder, a bookmark feature, and a calendar set. All three are useful for both the user and the advertiser.
We need to remember that interactivity is what makes the Web the most "favorite" medium for consumers.
This is just great - the IAB has finally issued Rich Media guidelines for online ads. How did they do it? Using the Viewpoint media player - probably one of the least popular viewers available and proprietary to boot. And after it's installed, the chart has to be read one line at a time. Gee, makes sense to me!
Fortunately, ClickZ saw fit to print them in HTML format. Thank you, ClickZ.
The most important one? Rich media should be user initiated. What a concept.
I know I'm stuck on this Acacia thing, but it infuriates me. (The WWE just signed an agreement with them today.)
Hope might be on the horizon. Consumers Union, the EFF and Public Knowledge filed a friend of the court brief today, according to Linux Electrons. This brief argues that patent claims should be narrowly interpreted, and that ambiguous claims (like Acacia's) should be invalidated.
This could be one of the most important cases regarding patent law, and, in my opinion, is long overdue.
James Hering delivers some marketing advice for the fourth quarter in today's ClickZ. "Use Rich Media" is his number one suggestion.
Rich media outperforms traditional media by a factor of 5. It strongly aids brand recognition and performance, too. Yes, it can cost more, but when you do the math, the returns are great.
Not news to me, but it's good to see it reinforced and documented - again.:-)
Much to my chagrin, more Acacia news. They're now suing another 20 second tier cable companies, according to an article in CNet today.
Insisting their patents are valid, Acacia keeps rolling along. Comcast, the largest defendant in Acacia's lawsuits for patent infringement, won't comment due to the pending litigation.
Can or will the courts offer relief from these bandits?
How can this be? Why are these people signing licensing agreements that may be invalidated in court?
Read it and weep.
Is it possible Acacia's losing confidence in the validity of its "patents?" Maybe so - they're lowering their licensing fees to educational institutions reports the Mercury News tonight.
The American Council On Education (ACE) still suggests the schools don't sign anything until patent claims are totally clarified.